Recommend me a Waterblock for MSI 7970 OC GPU

JaseUK · 17 Mar 2013 at 13:34

Hi guys,

I have decided its time to get my two MSI 7970 OC cards under water as the fans are way too loud.

Looking around it appears it all depends on stock levels for waterblocks but I have read that some blocks are for V1 / v2 cards etc .

I don't know which card I have as I haven't taken the stock cooler off yet.

Anyone got any recommendations as to which block to get or are they all pretty similar in performance.

I am liking the look of the Alphacool NexXxoS ATXP and Aquacomputer aquagrATIx blocks.

Any tips would be great.

JaseUK · 18 Mar 2013 at 14:23

Awesome advice there guys, thank you

I do like the look of both the aqua and the heatkiller. I suppose it'll come down to costs.

JaseUK · 19 Mar 2013 at 17:47

I am edging towards the HEATKILLER GPU-X³ Ni-Bl version and would probably buy two if I could find them anywhere

JaseUK · 19 Mar 2013 at 17:53

Yeah looking now. cheers

JaseUK · 19 Mar 2013 at 19:02

If I fit a HEATKILLER® GPU-X³ 79X0 Ni-Bl Waterblock can I fit any 7970 backplate or does it have to be a Heatkiller backplate?

JaseUK · 20 Mar 2013 at 14:25

Another question if I may

I was just doing a last check on Cooling Configurator and it shows my graphics card as:

MSI R7970-2PMD3GD5/OC Radeon HD 7970 3GB GDDR5 (V277-003R)

My card definitely has this model number but it doesn't have V277-003R on the box at all. Mine has V277-001.

Will this matter?

JaseUK · 20 Mar 2013 at 15:17

Just took a quick pic of my PCB, looks reference to me.

JaseUK · 20 Mar 2013 at 21:36

I ordered 2 of the Heatkiller Nickel blocks and 1 of the Heatkiller Dual links

JaseUK · 20 Mar 2013 at 22:06

I'd have thought they weren't a competitior being the Manufacturers n'all.

Just to be on the safe side could you remove the quote please 'whyscotty' ta

I am not really a fan of the Heatkiller backplates I prefer black like the EK ones. I will look into getting some at a later date though.

JaseUK · 28 Mar 2013 at 22:28

Well I have fitted both my Heatkiller Waterblocks to my 7970's but I ordered the wrong Dual Link

GPU-X² / X³ Dual-Link (1-Slot)

It doesn't reach both cards using the top two PCI-E slots on the UD5H motherboard. Can't believe I didn't realise before I ordered.

JaseUK · 29 Mar 2013 at 19:07

martos123 said:
Did you put backplates on the cards or not bother? I am looking for Waterblocks for my 7970s so am interrested in how these blocks perform too?

I didn't bother with backplates but I will be putting some on at some point.

I will post some pics of the build tomorrow