3 Slot Gap SLI

MNA24 · 7 Apr 2012 at 19:02

Hi All,

When there is a 3 slot gap between your cards in SLI, can you just get away with using 2 compressions and some tubing to connect the water blocks instead of a specifically design bridge connection?

Cleeecooo · 7 Apr 2012 at 19:03

MNA24 said:
Hi All,

When there is a 3 slot gap between your cards in SLI, can you just get away with using 2 compressions and some tubing to connect the water blocks instead of a specifically design bridge connection?

yes

It's a bit awkward to get right though

Krony · 7 Apr 2012 at 19:11

Put the cards in position with the compressions on without the outer nut on and just measure the gap between the 2 upto where the tubing should be pushed upto then make a cut, try and use the straightest bit of tubing u can find.

Alz_D · 7 Apr 2012 at 19:39

Yeah it's what i did with mine. As above it is fiddly as hell! Heating the tubes made it easier to get them on with the limited space.

pgi947 · 7 Apr 2012 at 20:38

Just done this tonight but with barbs, 3 slot spacing needed 1.5" of tubing, perfect fit

MNA24 · 7 Apr 2012 at 20:38

Alz_D said:
Yeah it's what i did with mine. As above it is fiddly as hell! Heating the tubes made it easier to get them on with the limited space.

If I measure first, then attach them prior to seating on the motherboard, that should make stuff easier providing the measurements are spot on?

MNA24 · 7 Apr 2012 at 20:40

pgi947 said:
Just done this tonight but with barbs, 3 slot spacing needed 1.5" of tubing, perfect fit

nice one, +1 in confidence to do it this way

no_1_dave · 7 Apr 2012 at 21:18

MNA24 said:
If I measure first, then attach them prior to seating on the motherboard, that should make stuff easier providing the measurements are spot on?

Sitting them in motherboard first is the best way

Alz_D · 7 Apr 2012 at 21:27

MNA24 said:
If I measure first, then attach them prior to seating on the motherboard, that should make stuff easier providing the measurements are spot on?

I measured up, fitted the lower compression fitting and the tube and then when the cards were in place i fitted the tube onto the top compression fitting. I'm sure there are easier ways

Nothing can be as fiddly as getting the rubber seal to stay put when putting an cpu waterblock back together!!!

pgi947 · 7 Apr 2012 at 21:33

I put both cards in the machine, measured, cut my tubing (go slightly longer as the tubing will compress slightly). Removed the cards, fitting the tubing then put both cards back in the machine as a single piece.

Depends what works for you tbh.

MNA24 · 7 Apr 2012 at 21:37

Alz_D said:
Nothing can be as fiddly as getting the rubber seal to stay put when putting an cpu waterblock back together!!!

Haha, experienced that today mate. :|

Alz_D · 7 Apr 2012 at 22:07

MNA24 said:
Haha, experienced that today mate. :|

It's not fun in any way shape or form is it!!!

Cleeecooo · 7 Apr 2012 at 22:09

MNA24 said:
Haha, experienced that today mate. :|

I used sticky tape so that it stayed in place when i put the top on. when the top can hold the ruber in place, pull the tape horizontally out and it should stay

Alz_D · 7 Apr 2012 at 22:26

^^ Where were you yesterday!!!

Cleeecooo · 7 Apr 2012 at 22:26

Alz_D said:
^^ Where were you yesterday!!!

Krony · 8 Apr 2012 at 01:16

As tricky as it can be i prefer joining the cards first then fitting them in the slots, can be a bit trickyer but do u really want to be bending the mobo oe more so the contact area of the pcie slots ?

Cleeecooo · 8 Apr 2012 at 10:37

Krony said:
As tricky as it can be i prefer joining the cards first then fitting them in the slots, can be a bit trickyer but do u really want to be bending the mobo oe more so the contact area of the pcie slots ?

I prefer installing one card, then having the second with tubing pressed onto the first and into the pcie

Tattysnuc · 8 Apr 2012 at 12:02

MNA24 said:
Hi All,

When there is a 3 slot gap between your cards in SLI, can you just get away with using 2 compressions and some tubing to connect the water blocks instead of a specifically design bridge connection?

Do you want to use hosing for a reason, as opposed to using the SLI connectors? I found some TFC sli connectors on ebay, 2 sets for £13 NEW + £1.65 delivered.

Surely they are more cost effective and easier to implement than buying 4 fittings and a piece of hose?

I've had problems doing this with the tubing twisting.... MAybe I'm using cheap compression fittings or something, but I can never get them to sit quite right...

MNA24 · 8 Apr 2012 at 15:51

Tattysnuc said:
Do you want to use hosing for a reason, as opposed to using the SLI connectors? I found some TFC sli connectors on ebay, 2 sets for £13 NEW + £1.65 delivered.

Surely they are more cost effective and easier to implement than buying 4 fittings and a piece of hose?

I've had problems doing this with the tubing twisting.... MAybe I'm using cheap compression fittings or something, but I can never get them to sit quite right...

I've bailed on the tubing idea think it may be too much hassle and risk of damage, I was going cheap and cheerful with the idea. I managed to pick up the TFC kit you suggested for £11.46.

TwsT · 9 Apr 2012 at 13:14

Krony said:
Put the cards in position with the compressions on without the outer nut on and just measure the gap between the 2 upto where the tubing should be pushed upto then make a cut, try and use the straightest bit of tubing u can find.

Yes