Skinnee Labs - GTX480 Block Round-Up (working thread)

[gmat]

Are you noting a subjective difference in block mounting processes ? Like which one is easier, or which one is a PITA ? I think that like CPU blocks now the thermal difference becomes secondary to such other factors.

[p2501]

OT: did anyone measure yet what size exactly are the screws for the stock heat sink?! Are they M3 or something else?!

[Biffa]

Having just put together quite a few cards with AquaGrafx (470) and EK (470/480) blocks. I must say that the way the EK block is designed with the two screws in the ex-fan-area held on with plastic washers does not fill me with confidence and is the first time that I have felt that the design of a full cover EK block has been not as professionally put together as the previous blocks.

e.g. (from vid)



Those screws are not going through holes, they are holding on the the edge of the fan vent with one side of the screw head and the plastic washer.

You really do need a backplate supplied with these block IMHO.

[Russ_64]

Wow, I didn't notice that as I have a 470 and there are 3 proper holes there to ensure contact on the VRM's. I guess Skinnee is the best person to comment on the fitting / contact but looks like the WC backplate thing is a good idea, suprised that EK did not make some kind of bracket. Suppose they did the best they could with the reference design PCB.

[Biffa]

Wow, I didn't notice that as I have a 470 and there are 3 proper holes there to ensure contact on the VRM's. I guess Skinnee is the best person to comment on the fitting / contact but looks like the WC backplate thing is a good idea, suprised that EK did not make some kind of bracket. Suppose they did the best they could with the reference design PCB.

Aye, backplate is really a necessity on these things. I mean its been fine in use so far, and I've put a few together without backplates. However the EK backplate for the 480 doesn't offer any screw holes in that area and the instructions tell you to leave those two screws as-is.

[skinnee]

EK is not the only one to use the fan holes to help with mount pressure, Aqua Computer, XSPC and Watercool do as well. AC also has a backplate that comes in the retail package, Watercool has a fan hole cover as I'll call it, EK makes you fork over another $30 for the backplate. XSPC uses the same approach as EK with the washer.

I personally prefer backplates, and while I have not had any issues with card bending (I typically overtighten) I still would like to see backplates from all of the manufacturers. But are they required... no.

[Church]

backplates have another big plus - with them LC sys looks prettier, and bling is important for lot of LC builds @ XS aswell, no matter if they are actually needed functionally or not

[Biffa]

EK is not the only one to use the fan holes to help with mount pressure, Aqua Computer, XSPC and Watercool do as well. AC also has a backplate that comes in the retail package,

I didn't count the Aqua Computer one as it comes with the backplate as standard in the package and the screws in that section screw into the backplate, but I see your point.

I'm not saying that functionally it shouldn't work, hell I've done dodgier mods in the past that stayed together for years

But it doesn't "feel" as pro imho.

Also some of the blame must lay with Nvidia, the 470 has a better configuration with 3 screw holes around that area.

[luke997]

EK backplate will not provide any better contact between block and PCB, it is just for the looks - and the looks are great

EK block mounting is sufficient and contact is good with the 2 screws through the fan holes on PCB.
I've screwed on each of mine as hard as the rest and no problems.

It holds very well too, I've had the first backplates with no channel over 6 chips on the back which caused bending of the plate/card and the bend on PCB would start only past 2 screws which means they keep the block well enough at this point.

Initially I was afraid too but turned out no problems.

[luke997]

But it doesn't "feel" as pro imho.

Also some of the blame must lay with Nvidia, the 470 has a better configuration with 3 screw holes around that area.

No need for blame it it works well, it just may not seem right initially

Only alternative for those blocks makers would be to extend block to the end but this would increase the price and weight for no good reason so I see why they did it that way.

[Systemlord]

backplates have another big plus - with them LC sys looks prettier, and bling is important for lot of LC builds @ XS aswell, no matter if they are actually needed functionally or not

I hear you bling brother, I would pay extra for a backplate if it meant looking attractive while not harming the card in any way, I'm really tired of looking at the back of the PCB board!

[Biffa]

Only alternative for those blocks makers would be to extend block to the end but this would increase the price and weight for no good reason so I see why they did it that way.

Some of the blocks extend slightly to use the screws on the edge of the card in line with the fan vent. Either one or both screws.

[skinnee]

Okay, so working through my TIM tweak trials...

EK block has to have the pads on the VRM's and memory to have proper contact between the block and chips. Aqua Computer has enough contact that I am willing to try just using TIM.

[blazarcher]

Okay, so working through my TIM tweak trials...

EK block has to have the pads on the VRM's and memory to have proper contact between the block and chips. Aqua Computer has enough contact that I am willing to try just using TIM.

So then would you call the AC the better card of the two? lol. BTW, is using TIM over pads any better in terms of cooling performance? I really don't see why all these blocks vary. Some require TIM, other pads. I'm assuming that this has to do with how well the contact is between the block and the GPU.

But does TIM yield better temps? lol if pads were better wouldn't we be using pads on our GPU's and CPU's?

[cstkl1]

ek has updated their website that the backplate is not compaitable with asus or msi cards

pic of gainward, palit ref design
http://www.hartware.net/showpic.php?.../1103/back.jpg

pic of msi. asus afaik always buys foxconn ref design
http://www.techsweden.org/bilder/Hre...480gtx-25.jpeg

the only diff i can see is above the smaller pcie slot connector
the msi has two transistors

[Systemlord]

ek has updated their website that the backplate is not compaitable with asus or msi cards

pic of gainward, palit ref design
http://www.hartware.net/showpic.php?.../1103/back.jpg

pic of msi. asus afaik always buys foxconn ref design
http://www.techsweden.org/bilder/Hre...480gtx-25.jpeg

the only diff i can see is above the smaller pcie slot connector
the msi has two transistors

I thought all of the GTX 480's were of reference design meaning there all pretty much the same...?

[cstkl1]

ive got asus,galaxy and palit now. no diff
msi rmaed

[cstkl1]

wondering did he put that because my msi was shorting with the plate
or did he really checked y

[luke997]

ek has updated their website that the backplate is not compaitable with asus or msi cards

pic of gainward, palit ref design
http://www.hartware.net/showpic.php?.../1103/back.jpg

pic of msi. asus afaik always buys foxconn ref design
http://www.techsweden.org/bilder/Hre...480gtx-25.jpeg

the only diff i can see is above the smaller pcie slot connector
the msi has two transistors

It looks to me loke those 6 chips on Asus near the black strip are higher than on the reference.

It may be just the illusion due to the different angle but then EK said those chips weren't on the reference (or that high at least) and I the backplate without washers definitely bends over it on ASUS.

I guess we need someone with access to ASUS, MSI and any other make and a measuring tool...

[cstkl1]

hmm well i did a c/n and took the palit with msi rma.

but if u look at the evga gtx470 hi flow edition with the backplate
evga took a lot of precaution for the back

and aquacomputer backplate they put sponge thingy behind the gpu chip and another near those 6 chips

[Wolfskin07]

I noticed EK doesn't have the 480 backplate anymore in their Webshop...I just ordered one and it's on his way. Will I be unable to use it? CAn anyone confirm this? I have an Asus GTX480

Regards,

Wolfskin07

[luke997]

I noticed EK doesn't have the 480 backplate anymore in their Webshop...I just ordered one and it's on his way. Will I be unable to use it? CAn anyone confirm this? I have an Asus GTX480

Regards,

Wolfskin07

You'll be fine but place thin washers underneath the standoffs to raise the backplate a little bit and check visually for clearance once done.
If you haven't ready washer just make some from thick/hard paper.

[Soulwind]

And if there's anything touching on the backplate, stick a thin thermal pad on top of it to prevent shorting....

Oh, and don't crank down too hard on the screws. The backplate is pretty much just for looks anyway.

My ASUS 480, EK waterblock, and EK backplate just arrived yesterday.

I tested it under air to make sure the card's OK and I'll be attaching the waterblock and (hopefully) the backplate tonight . . .
guess we'll see how it goes.

[cstkl1]

again
i warn u
that 3 screws on the backplate to waterblock
if u dont tighten it enough
ure risk frying ure mem's
if the backplate was not connected to the waterblock.. ure theory is sound.
have fun
advice to run without the backplate

[luke997]

again
i warn u
that 3 screws on the backplate to waterblock
if u dont tighten it enough
ure risk frying ure mem's
if the backplate was not connected to the waterblock.. ure theory is sound.
have fun
advice to run without the backplate

With the thin washers there's no problem with 3 middle screws, you can tighten them just fine and the plate is flat so no bending = no problems and good contact.

I have 3 cards done this way and RAM running 2000, no problems.
Obviously though everyone does it on his own risk