The Importances of Standoff's on FC blocks.

[Makubex_GB]

XSPC can do it right for 99$ .... why?, Eddy, why? I am seriously considering sending back my nickel FC's right now and I really REALLY don't want to have to

Don't let yourself be fooled. I had one of these blocks and the standoffs are way too small. Your card will very easily warp with this FC block.


Kudos on making this thread, NaeKuh. All FC blocks MUST have standoffs of accurate length!

[DeathWalking]

Call me crazy, but wouldn't this sorta matter with motherboards, too? Like, MOSFET blocks, because they're at the edge of the board? I'd think really tightening down a NB block wouldn't be great, but it's in the center and stuff.

[jtf2]

Call me crazy, but wouldn't this sorta matter with motherboards, too? Like, MOSFET blocks, because they're at the edge of the board? I'd think really tightening down a NB block wouldn't be great, but it's in the center and stuff.

unlike most? vidcard blocks,nb,mosfet blocks are mounted with springs,nuts, and bolts,usually,and have a back plate also,which minimizes bending

[jc99]

So dangerden is the only company that has the standoffs nailed down correctly?

[jtf2]

Only ASUS blocks have backplates...

i stand corrected on that point

[NaeKuh]

So dangerden is the only company that has the standoffs nailed down correctly?

koolance and evga have got them done correctly as well.

Cant speak for XSPC as i dont have any blocks from them. YET.

[Demthios]

Anyone know if AquagraFX got it right??

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

I have just sent this message to eddy:

try number 2 (accidentally sent the first message >.<)

Hi Eddy,

I am the owner of 2 EK-FC4870 CF High Performance Water Blocks and there is an issue that has recently come to my attention regarding the design of these blocks. They are not milled including standoffs in order to prevent bowing when tightening the screws properly, thus causing a bend in the card. In concurrence with this thread on XS (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=205033) I request that you find nylon spacers of the appropriate size and send them out to every owner who requests a set for their waterblock(s). I assume from looking at you block designs that the standoff's would be of a uniform size, so it should be fairly easy to implement.

In the future it seems appropriate that your block designs use the PCB as the X-Y plane in the cad design; that way when the block is milled you can mill relative to the PCB and include the standoff spacing in the design.

I have told all XS members who own the block to send you a message saying "I would like a set of standoffs for <vgacardname>" they have seen a copy of the message I sent you and they all agree they would like a waterblock that doesn't warp their cards.

I request of EVERY XtremeSystems member who owns an EK Fullcover Waterblock to send the message

I would like a set of standoffs for <vgacardname>

to the contact us email system: here


thank you to all for all the people who do this, I hope we can make our waterblocks viable again.

[AndrewZorn]

seriously though, shouldn't the entire block be milled with steps measured from the start point of the PCB= X-Y plane; this seems like lazy/improper design IMO.
Give me the measurements of a card and I will CAD it up correctly

REALLY

I've never used a full cover block, and after seeing all this card-bending stupidity I decided I'd never want one.

I could see it happening on some sort of universal full cover... and then adapting and including spacers... but if you are going to charge $100+ for a specialty part, that's only good for one card, why can't it be measured correctly?

nylon standoffs

are my favorite thing. Maybe it's just because it's the only thing of significance I can find locally, without ordering online.

[twwen2]

I have just sent this message to eddy:
...

Very good Snipe, i'm on it!

[bigslappy]

$750 dollar question = what size is that stand-off as in HOW friggin' thick is needed >> Damn i'll make my own !
says the guy about to mount a $150 block on a $600 plus Vid card >>> DD on a 4870X2

[tgm_of_xxl]

Requested 2 sets of standofs for 8800GTS

[TI66ER]

I am using an xspc razor full cover block on my 4850,and it is not warped.

sorry i have not got a better pic.

[Jiangxue]

Eddy is SO going to be flooded!

[Eddy_EK]

XSPC can do it right for 99$ .... why?, Eddy, why? I am seriously considering sending back my nickel FC's right now and I really REALLY don't want to have to

Hi there,

I'll be honest with you. There are few reasons why we don't use standoffs.
1. I have mounted many blocks on cards and found no need for this as I can find optimal pressure for the block quickly.
2. for standoffs we need at lease 1,2mm more copper material (which is about 15% more material and this is $$$)
3. more machining which costs from 25€-35€ per hour.

XSPC makes blocks in Asia which significantly drops the production costs. Many other brands are also making blocks in Asia... But we are determinate to keep the quality control in our hands as that is very hard to achieve in Asia.

I know we have to be better, to make it better, so the less experienced users can mount the block without any problem. We are already using standoffs for Alu parts at 4870 and 4850 blocks.

I promise you we will start seriously to find solution to this, to provide you the standoffs for et least next coming water blocks if not for the present ones.
Options are:
- plastic standoffs that are additionally glued to the copper
- metal standoffs that are additionally glued to the copper
- full copper one-piece standoffs like XSPC and some others have it

Anything else, feel free to contact me on our e-mails info@ek.....

Eddy

[MomijiTMO]

And we know all to well about XSPC QC issues

[Waterlogged]

Hi there,

I'll be honest with you. There are few reasons why we don't use standoffs.
1. I have mounted many blocks on cards and found no need for this as I can find optimal pressure for the block quickly.
2. for standoffs we need at lease 1,2mm more copper material (which is about 15% more material and this is $$$)
3. more machining which costs from 25€-35€ per hour.

XSPC makes blocks in Asia which significantly drops the production costs. Many other brands are also making blocks in Asia... But we are determinate to keep the quality control in our hands as that is very hard to achieve in Asia.

I know we have to be better, to make it better, so the less experienced users can mount the block without any problem. We are already using standoffs for Alu parts at 4870 and 4850 blocks.

I promise you we will start seriously to find solution to this, to provide you the standoffs for et least next coming water blocks if not for the present ones.
Options are:
- plastic standoffs that are additionally glued to the copper
- metal standoffs that are additionally glued to the copper
- full copper one-piece standoffs like XSPC and some others have it

Anything else, feel free to contact me on our e-mails info@ek.....

Eddy

Danger Den machines their standoffs on their current blocks and I'd be more than willing to bet that their machining costs are very similar to yours Eddy.

There are plenty of ppl that have had problems mounting non standoff blocks lately and some of them are very experienced ppl. It's gone beyond the newb looking stupid for no reason and that's not a good thing.

[TI66ER]

I do like the ek 4850 block,the only reason i did not buy that one was price,in the uk the ek is about £10 more than the xspc.Upto now this block has been fine so i will see on the qc factor when its been on a while.Considering the blocks are basically a machined block of copper with a machined piece of acetal on the top,how hard can it be to make it leak proof.

As far as the no stand offs go,if it has no stand offs on the block,surely you just dont screw the screws in a too tight.As long as the blocks metal is touching the part to be cooled,does it need to be really tightly screwed down?

Sorry if i sound like i dont know what i'am on about,feel free to call me ignorant.

[Movieman]

Suggestion from an old fart?
What about a simple round holed plastic insert sized properly and dropped in the parts bag with a simple diagram on where they go for the uninformed.
That should keep your end down and satisfy the crazed folks here..
Yes? No? Go back and crawl in my hole?

[Hondacity]

what if the standoffs are .1mm - .5mm too tall???

[Movieman]

what if the standoffs are .1mm - .5mm too tall???

If they are plastic then you get out your hammer and make adjustments!

[septim]

haha, cool idea, i have lots of faucet aid washers of different thickness to try out once my fc gtx arrives next week...

[IanY]

XSPC makes blocks in Asia which significantly drops the production costs. Many other brands are also making blocks in Asia... But we are determinate to keep the quality control in our hands as that is very hard to achieve in Asia.

Woah!! Take it easy on the Asia stereotyping and outright bashing there. That's about as sweeping a generalization as I have ever seen. Are you insinuating that there's poor quality in all Asian made products? Or that its impossible to ensure quality consistency if products are manufactured in Asia?

Where you choose to manufacture your blocks obviously has direct bearing on labour and production costs. Its your own decision where to manufacture.

I won't go further than that, although I can write a whole novel in response. That can be construed as highly offensive. This xenophobia and hatred is not smart. Remember that you have a lot of Asian customers.

RRR will whip out some Vincent blocks and we can take it from there.

[jollyjoker]

I didnt see any stereotyping or bashing in what he said. He just wants to be able to oversee the products he is selling.

[RADCOM]

So warp is only a good thing in Star trek Has anyone received any standoffs? Is it possible for anyone to get a batch made up? Would the .5mm be significant? All these questions and more will be answered on next weeks episode of soap....sorry it's the cider lol Seriously what size standoffs do I need?