Temperature/Block Comparison For 8800GTX

[Snyxxx]

I have done a little testing to convince myself what the best cooling solution for this beast of a video card. Used Everest Ultimate for all temperature
mesurements and the AC is already on for the year so ambient is pretty constant 72°F (~20°C).

Multi-core Prime 95 25.2 (Small FFTs) used for heating CPU and ATI Tool used for heating GPU. I found OCCT does not produce as much heat as above. I lapped the Xeon 3070 for peace of mind that the concavity is gone. All CPU temps are at the core (max) per Everest.

Watercooling CPU Only With Stock Air Cooled 8800GTX:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...1&d=1174450293

CPU Idle: 24°C
CPU Load: 34°C

8800GTX Idle: 63°C (Diode)
8800GTX Load: 84°C (Diode)

Observations - 8800GTX Temps are a little disturbing. Happy with CPU temps.


Watercooling CPU And 8800GTX Using MCW60 With Heatsinks:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...1&d=1174450656
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...1&d=1174450693

CPU Idle: 27°C
CPU Load: 39°C

8800GTX Idle: 36°C (Diode)
8800GTX Load: 44°C (Diode)

Observations - I hated dealing with all those heat sinks. The heatsink on the lone naked chip that looks like a NB or SB got so hot I could not put my finger on it more than half second. if I were to keep this option, a bigger heatsink would be required or a fan. The GPU (ambient) got to 51°C. Maybe it was from this little chip. All the ram heatsinks were cool to the touch. The VRM heatsinks were warm, but not too bad.


Watercooling CPU And 8800GTX Using EK Full Cover Block:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...1&d=1174451064

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...1&d=1174451099

CPU Idle: 30°C
CPU Load: 41°C

8800GTX Idle: 39°C (Diode)
8800GTX Load: 48°C (Diode)

Observations - Results show a little more heat than the GPU only solution above. I guess some of the VRM, Memory and little chip's heat is getting into the water. 3-4°C difference is not that bad. Additional flow resistance may not help either. The GPU (ambient) temperature so hot above was only 40°C for this case. I felt all over the block and felt no hot spots. I like the tube routing with the EK block better as well.


Conclusion:

I knew I was going to use the EK full cover block in the end, but always wanted to know what the difference would be. These types of things bug me for not knowing.

I already had a MCW60 laying around and just had to buy the G80 bracket. I kept everything the same as much as possible. I believe that just about any water cooling solution used for the 8800GTX would be vastly better than the stock air cooler. Temps were almost cut in half.

By the way the 8800GTX at full load added about 7-8°C the the CPU core temperature.

Hope this helps someone.