GTX 980 SLI setup

Aionard · 4 Jul 2015 at 14:09

Hey Guys,

this is my current build:

it's a GTX 980 clocked to 1550 and about +200 offset on memory and a i5 2500 running at 3.8. Cooled by 2x240mm only push config.

I will be updating that bad boy to a devil canyon i5 (and a new mobo ofc) and throwing in another 980.

Now for the question....

Am I OK with this rad space and could get away with just making it a push/pull? or do I have to have extra rad space?

Now since I am splashing out on CPU, mobo, and GPU already, I don't feel like buying new rads :/

I also thought of leaving the 2x240 for the GPUs in SLI and just buyng and AIO cooler for GPU, what is your recommendation?

Oh, currently the GPU is running at up to 43-45 Celsius under heavy load in games like The Witcher or FC4 which I can bring down to about 40 when setting the fans to "rocket" setting

THANKS!

D1craig · 4 Jul 2015 at 15:06

adding another gpu to that setup cant make the temps any worse than they would be on air.

i have read that people tend to go for 120mm of rad space for every component getting cooled + and extra 120. but recently i have seen people saying you need more.

Aionard · 4 Jul 2015 at 15:19

well, I know it's not gonna get anywhere near air temps

but then again pumps do have a pretty low temp limit as far as I recall

NoobCannon · 4 Jul 2015 at 17:20

Ive got 2 980ti's 1300/1980 and i7 3770k @ 4.7 with 1x 360 and 1x 240 gpus are 43'c full load even in this heat (28'c according to thermostat)

I found push pull makes little - no difference. Rad space is king

Aionard · 4 Jul 2015 at 20:54

sooo with 120mm less I should be relatively fine? separating cpu with an AIO unit would give me the same rad space tho

D1craig · 4 Jul 2015 at 21:07

i would just add the gpu and not add an aio.

BRIGGBOY81 · 4 Jul 2015 at 22:38

i am running gtx 980sli at 1350 on both of them and a i7 48202 at 4.5 on 2 360 rads. personaly i would just swap 1 of your 240 rads for a 360 just to be on the safe side. You might get away with it but tbh if you can get a 360 in there instead of buying an aio, because as noob cannon said rad space is king.

Aionard · 5 Jul 2015 at 16:06

well replacing the rad is not what I am going for mainly due to how the pump is mounted. it's making 360 hard to mount as it would not fit with the ports either way and this is the only place I could mount this particular combo. On top of that, I'm already stretching my budget of ~900 quid.

Still, what would you consider acceptable core temp on a gpu in a custom loop like that? I've seen AIO GPU running on 54-55 Celsius (so 10 more than mine), I always thought it's a bit steep considering my pumps max operating temp is ~60 degrees.

MrMD · 5 Jul 2015 at 16:50

Aionard said:
well replacing the rad is not what I am going for mainly due to how the pump is mounted. it's making 360 hard to mount as it would not fit with the ports either way and this is the only place I could mount this particular combo. On top of that, I'm already stretching my budget of ~900 quid.

Still, what would you consider acceptable core temp on a gpu in a custom loop like that? I've seen AIO GPU running on 54-55 Celsius (so 10 more than mine), I always thought it's a bit steep considering my pumps max operating temp is ~60 degrees.

You can mount that pump/res combo above the psu in the back if your willing to remove the SSD cage,Can put your SSD somewhere else in the back,i have mine velcoed to the ODD bay.

Core temp under load is different from the water temp.Max operating temp of the pump is related to water temp.

When your getting 45c on your card(under load),your water temp is probily around 35c.Which is fine,pretty good considering the weather recently tbh.

Aionard · 5 Jul 2015 at 17:06

ah, cool then

I was a bit concerned tbh. I think I will just stick with what I have, and just throw the other gtx 980 in the loop, and depending on temps unplug cpu from the loop or throttle the OC back (let's face it, it won't be neccessary for 980sli in 1080p for a while).

I'd be wary of putting my pump above the PSU

Combat Fighter · 6 Jul 2015 at 08:33

Aionard said:
well replacing the rad is not what I am going for mainly due to how the pump is mounted. it's making 360 hard to mount as it would not fit with the ports either way and this is the only place I could mount this particular combo. On top of that, I'm already stretching my budget of ~900 quid.

Still, what would you consider acceptable core temp on a gpu in a custom loop like that? I've seen AIO GPU running on 54-55 Celsius (so 10 more than mine), I always thought it's a bit steep considering my pumps max operating temp is ~60 degrees.

Did make me chuckle reading this about the water temp.

If your water was nearly 60c I would be quite worried! lol

As it's been said if your cpu/gfx is running 55-60c (temps normally will balance each component out I've found), your water is more than likely 35c or there abouts, depends what the ambient is like obviously.

Really helps to get a load of fresh air in the case too, something I am trying to make better in my case. Or I'm getting a Primo if I cant. Currently I have a Luxe but I am finding my intake can't keep up how I want it. I've got a 420 + 240 rads both 60mm thick.

Only have my cpu cooled at the moment as I am waiting on a waterblock for my Ti G1 (my previous 980 GTX was watercooled though), but the heat that's being dumped inside the case from the card upsets my watercooling a bit as the top 420 rad is sucking all that hot air through it.

I like to run my fans as slow as possible for the record. System still works find temps are ok, it's just my watercooling setup is not running optimal at the moment if you see my point. And that frustrates me! lol

Has not helped with the recent heatwave too.