EK 780Ti FC Query

Sin_Chase · 18 Dec 2013 at 03:21

Having just had a 780Ti killed by the fitting a waterblock, thought I would clarify some things.

I followed the EK instructions, but I have a feeling their thermal pad placement is wrong in the guide.

EK shows the following:

However, when looking at other cooling designs the R33/R22 modules are NOT actively cooled. As far as I can tell these are coils and do not require active cooling.

See:
http://www.riokou.co.uk/sin/780tiamp-8b.jpg
http://www.riokou.co.uk/sin/780tiamp-7b.jpg

Competing Waterblocks DO NOT cool the R33/R22 modules. When I removed the EK 780Ti FC waterblock I noticed that the pads did not even appear to have made contact with the R33/R22 modules. They were still stuck to the PCB whilst every other pad was stuck to the block, had appeared to have made contact and had some degree of recessed outline showing contact between part and block.

I am assuming the pads are non electrically conductive and won't cause issues even if placed in areas that they should not be. Or will it cause problems?

Would like a comment from EK if possible, why does the instruction manual show to cool these R33/R22 modules and secondly, why does the block appear to make no contact with them?

Adam182 · 18 Dec 2013 at 05:29

I wonder what killed the board, applying pads certainly wouldn't - Adam

Silent_Scone · 18 Dec 2013 at 12:11

The pads are definitely non conductive and I fail to see how it could have bricked the card. Would be interested to see what EK say RE the R33/22 modules though. I'll be fitting 3 of these blocks very soon.

kaku · 18 Dec 2013 at 17:24

Was the card tested before fitting the block? It sounds silly but it's pretty hard to kill a card by fitting a water block too. Putting thermal pads in the wrong place certainly wouldn't have done it.

Sin_Chase · 18 Dec 2013 at 18:11

kaku said:
Was the card tested before fitting the block? It sounds silly but it's pretty hard to kill a card by fitting a water block too. Putting thermal pads in the wrong place certainly wouldn't have done it.

Yes, in system working on air for many weeks.

nick.lidgett · 18 Dec 2013 at 18:24

Well i fitted 2 ek blocks to my 780ti's following the instructions you posted and the work flawlessly so....

Sin_Chase · 18 Dec 2013 at 19:33

nick.lidgett said:
Well i fitted 2 ek blocks to my 780ti's following the instructions you posted and the work flawlessly so....

I'm not suggesting the block directly killed it. But before I risk another 780Ti just wanted to clarify absolutely everything

EK_Derick · 18 Dec 2013 at 19:37

We recommend putting thermal pads on them so the blocks fits a little bit more "comfortably". It also provides a "buffer" layer between the block and chokes so neither component has the risk of being damaged in anyway. They are non conductive and cause no problems, and we provide them so it's not a big deal anyway, right?

Sin_Chase · 19 Dec 2013 at 10:15

EK_Derick said:
We recommend putting thermal pads on them so the blocks fits a little bit more "comfortably". It also provides a "buffer" layer between the block and chokes so neither component has the risk of being damaged in anyway. They are non conductive and cause no problems, and we provide them so it's not a big deal anyway, right?

Thanks for the reply.

It's not a case of using up thermal pads, you do indeed provide plenty and it;s not a big deal. Just curious as to why they were included in the guide as no other solution cools them and the EK block does not appear to make contact.

Question answered!