My 280 arrives today, and I have the EVGA Hydro Copper 16 Waterblock!

[Talonman]

My 280 arrives today, and I have the EVGA Hydro Copper 16 Waterblock!

I stepped out of my GX2, and into a 280. I have yet to add a GPU into my 2 block loop. I hope my The WaterKegIII Xtreme with ThermoChill PA120.3 RAD, and D5 Laing pump can take the extra heat.

My cooler:



My two existing blocks:



My simple loop with the air cooled GX2 installed:



Side by side:



My current CPU temps that I enjoy with a Q6600 @ 3.8GHz:



My EVGA Hydro Copper 16 Waterblock, waiting for my 280...
It came with the 3/8" and 1/2" fittings. I will be using the 1/2"ers.


I am considering using MX-2 on the GPU block install. Any thoughts on the matter?

[Talonman]

Thanks buddy!!

[Repliquant67]

Very nice the back plate of this block. I though that it was only a piece of aluminium.
The caloduc of this back plate is in contact with the waterblock near the holes ?

[Talonman]

I was just looking at the install guide.

Yes, You put some TIM on the backplate to better transfer the heat to the front.

Description:

Featuring a sleek-modern look and a full copper design, EVGA continues to incorporate only the best attributes that make up the Hydro Copper Waterblock Series. An extreme high flow path design with a unique, integrated pressure point allows the Hydro Copper 16 Waterblock to keep your GTX 280 or GTX 260 as cool as can be while under even the heaviest of graphical loads. Exclusive only to EVGA, patent pending -flow technology aids in dispersing heat from GTX 280 and GTX 260 graphics processing unit (GPU). EVGA also provides full coverage with the addition of a heat-piped back plate that links with the Hydro Copper 16 Waterblock using patent pending "Co-op" technology.

[crazy1323]

WOW, i thought the EVGA block could only be purchased if you bought it mounted on a card from EVGA

[Talonman]

Nope!

http://www.evga.com/products/moreInf...%20Waterblocks

[Talonman]

Some of my heat generating games that the 280 will be chewing on at 1920x1200:

[crazy1323]

chessmaster could be a tough one on that card. I am curious what your FPS will be. J/K

Hopefully you should get some good FPS, it seems like the new drivers help alot also.

[Talonman]

Actually, if I set Chess Master to use the high resource engine, all 4 of my cores go to 100% for the entire game.
Not much work for the GPU though...
My 8600GT runs it just fine. (My official fall back card.)

I have the 177.39, 177.40 and 177.41 drivers.

I was thinking I should go with the 177.39 to start with. Not real sure on that.

I have downloaded nVidia's PhysX, and believe I should install that after my driver...

I will also be installing the UT3 PhysX mod too.

I personally think PhysX has the potential to add allot of speed to games. We will have to see how many developers get on board.

Heck, just going from my GX2 to a 280 looks pritty good... (Cost me 50 bucks steppin with delivery included.)
The block was extra, but I wanted my GPU on water no matter which one I ended up with. I was going to buy a block anyway...

This is my favorite video right now, while I wait for my new toy:
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=3GHyE9xJZJE
I don't believe he had the UT3 PhysX Mod installed yet?

Common UPS!!

Status: In Transit - On Time
Scheduled Delivery: 06/30/2008

[Xed]

I'm jealous! I'll get both my card and block on Thursday though =)

[mascaras]

Hi there


waiting for your results Talonman !



regards

[NaeKuh]

i see crack.. err age of conan.

i heard that game is uber dangerous. Worse then WOW. :T

Addicting factor. :X

[Talonman]

7:31 PM and no action on the home front!!

UPS Tracking is still reporting today is the day.

I am getting worried.

[Xed]

I'm always one of the last houses ups goes to and I almost never see a package before 8 pm. So I wouldn't worry yet

[Talonman]

Thanks... I will try and keep the faith!

They sent me my waterblock just fine, so I know all my correct delivery info is set up on my account.

[Talonman]

I just called UPS.

She told me her system dosen't show it out for delivery, but the web page does...

So odd.

Type: Package
Status: In Transit - On Time
Scheduled Delivery: 06/30/2008
Shipped To: SUNBURY, OH, US
Shipped/Billed On: 06/24/2008
Service: GROUND
Weight: 7.00 Lbs


To view additional tracking information, please log in to My UPS.

Package Progress

Location Date Local Time Description
MAUMEE,
OH, US 06/29/2008 2:47 P.M. ARRIVAL SCAN

MAUMEE,
OH, US 06/27/2008 10:00 A.M. ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS

ANAHEIM,
CA, US 06/24/2008 9:32 P.M. DEPARTURE SCAN

06/24/2008 8:37 P.M. ORIGIN SCAN

US 06/24/2008 8:16 P.M. BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED

Tracking results provided by UPS: 06/30/2008 9:06 P.M. ET

I took a vacation day to make sure I would be here too.

[SiGfever]

I like MX-2 better than any TIM I have used except Liquid Metal Pro, but the issues with LMP makes MX-2 my choice.

Nice Build.

[Talonman]

Thanks... MX-2 it is.

[Envydia007]

the GX2 will kick your 280 in the arse man why did you do it?

[Xed]

I only see the arrival scan, nothing about it being "out for delivery"

I really wish more companies would use fedex as their standard carrier.

[Talonman]

the GX2 will kick your 280 in the arse man why did you do it?

This is why...
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=3GHyE9xJZJE


It looked like $50 bucks worth of upgrade to me.

This is where my system speed was currently at:
Note: The only thing OC'ed on my GX2 SSC is the fan!
FSB -- DDR2 ----- BIOS ----- CPU-Z ------ BIOS ---- Everest - CPU-Z -- 3DMark06 - SM2.0 -- SM3.0 --- CPU ---- Vantage --- CPU -- Graphics
420 -- 840MHz -- 3.79GHz -- 3.7801GHz -- 1.51875v -- 1.50v -- 1.496v -- 19,296 -- 7,661 --- 9,062 --- 5,375 --- P10,553 -- 13,167 -- 9,898

421 -- 842MHz -- 3.80GHz -- 3.7895GHz -- 1.51875v -- 1.50v -- 1.496v -- 19,305 -- 7,647 --- 9,078 --- 5,385 --- P10,553 -- 13,164 -- 9,899

422 -- 844MHz -- 3.81GHz -- 3.7979GHz -- 1.51875v -- 1.50v -- 1.496v -- 19,364 -- 7,690 --- 9,113 --- 5,369 --- P10,583 -- 13,281 -- 9,912

423 -- 846MHz -- 3.82GHz -- 3.8074GHz -- 1.53125v -- 1.51v -- 1.512v -- 19,164 -- 7,550 --- 9,042 --- 5,358 --- P10,595 -- 13,441 -- 9,896

424 -- 848MHz -- 3.83GHz -- 3.8164GHz -- 1.53125v -- 1.51v -- 1.512v -- 19,226 -- 7,570 --- 9,047 --- 5,419 --- P10,574 -- 13,254 -- 9,906

425 -- 850MHz -- 3.84GHz -- 3.8252GHz -- 1.53125v -- 1.51v -- 1.512v -- 19,503 -- 7,766 --- 9,141 --- 5,428 --- P10,574 -- 13,262 -- 9,905

426 -- 852MHz -- 3.85GHz -- 3.8346GHz -- 1.53750v -- 1.53v -- 1.528v -- 19,499 -- 7,762 --- 9,123 --- 5,447 --- P10,564 -- 13,232 -- 9,899

427 -- 854MHz -- 3.86GHz -- 3.8430GHz -- 1.53750v -- 1.52v -- 1.520v -- 19,237 -- 7,598 --- 9,015 --- 5,385 --- P10,475 -- 13,515 -- 9,745

428 -- 856MHz -- 3.87GHz -- 3.8525GHz -- 1.53750v -- 1.52v -- 1.520v -- 19,592 -- 7,795 --- 9,185 --- 5,457 --- P10,453 -- 13,486 -- 9,724

For each FSB test, I rebooted and waited for all disk activity to stop. I ran Vantage first, then 3DMark06 second. Each program only received 1 run, and data was recorded.

Chart data recorded:
FSB selected - What DDR2 Frequency will be required - How fast the BIOS reports when booting - How fast CPU-Z reports from Vista - Lowest voltage required to Prime 2hrs (BIOS setting) - Everest reported Core voltage - CPU-Z reported core voltage - 3DMark06 score using default settings - 3DMark Vantage using default settings.

Currently with just my CPU and NB in my loop, my max temp's don't cross 60C two hours into Prime! Usually around 55C most of the time on all 4 cores. It only spikes to about 59C for a few seconds, even when I'm hitting my chip with 1.5v's.


In COD4 and Crysis, this is what I was getting with my GX2 SSC.
I have a saved 3.4 and 3.8GHz BIOS profiles. I'll load the 3.4GHz back in when I retest these numbers.

Q6600 @ 3.4GHz, and stock SSC:
In COD4 1920 x 1200 AAx2
Sync every frame - NO
Shadows - NO
Specular Map - NO
Everything else to YES or Normal
57fps in most game play.

Q6600 @ 3.4GHz, and stock SSC:
Crysis 1920 x 1200 AA off
Fullscreen X'ed
VSYNC not X'ed
Everything set to High...
Plane flying in - 29fps
'OK gentlemen listen up' scene - 47fps
'Parachute in' scene - 52 to 55fps (more right before landing)
Swimming in the water to the beach - 45fps

[Omastar]

lol, $180 for that block from eVGA. Lord knows they don't gouge or anything.

[Talonman]

She is pricey, but a looker!

I hope some decent cooling performance is involved too...

[Xed]

Also has a backplate for what it's worth

[dengyong]

It's not so bad when you buy it on the card for $799. Also includes 3Dmark vantage advanced.