How to water cool a graphics card?

[sprognak]

I'm thinking of not getting the HIS IceQ, but instead getting the week special of the Saphire for £214 and putting a waterblock on it.

How do I go about cooling the RAM on the card if it's waterblocked?

 

[Mr Jones]

Zalman Silent VGA Ram Chips
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Zalman_398.html

You put them directly on the Ram chips of the GPU, whilst the waterblock is attached to the core chip.

 

[Kesnel]

You have two options really. Either go for a block that covers both core and RAM (such as the Alphacool block on OcUK), or go for a block that just covers the core and then put some RAMsinks (such as the OCZ or Tweakmonster sinks).

If you go with the block with sinks option you'll need some airflow over the RAM to keep it cool when really pushing it where as you don't have to with the all-covering block.

 

[R B Customs]

the RAM is NO where near as important to ool as the core of the card. the pplication of heatsinks is all you need. 9 outa 10 tiem the GPU cooler or block will acctually come with ram sinks.
full ocver blocks are availible, but theyre very restrictive, and very costly - a bit gimmicky really.

and let me get this straight... your thinking of putting a waterbloakc on it, you DO have a water cooling system right ?
(sorry if that sounds dumb, it just seems as if your quite new to this, so please dont take offence)

as for waterblocks, i woudl reccomend the danger den Maze 4 GPU, or the AQua Extreme MP-1

 

[Mr Jones]

R B Customs,
He's been lookign for a system + watercooling. He's recently changed his mind on the HiS x1900xt for a cheaper x1900x + GPU waterblock.

I assume you're still going with the Swiftech Apex Ultra right?

Edit: I've just checked them prices and I can see you save a lot by not getting the HIS IceQ, with that saving, you can get a Full Block or a VGA core block. It's up to you.

 

[R B Customs]

ah that explains it !
im still not convinced by the full cover blocks though.

 

[sprognak]

R B Customs,
He's been lookign for a system + watercooling. He's recently changed his mind on the HiS x1900xt for a cheaper x1900x + GPU waterblock.

I assume you're still going with the Swiftech Apex Ultra right?

Edit: I've just checked them prices and I can see you save a lot by not getting the HIS IceQ, with that saving, you can get a Full Block or a VGA core block. It's up to you.

Thanks Dr Jones, yes I am still checking out my options. I'm thinking the Saphire with a waterblock will be quieter and have more OC potential than the IceQ standard.

Which would you recommend for the Swiftech Apex Ultra? The Swiftech VGA core cooler or a full block?

 

[ichabod crane]

in my own experience full cover blocks work just aswell as maze 4 style blocks i have had both Nv 68-78 and maze 4 blocks they all work just aswell. only problems with full cover blocks is the price they are very over priced, only reason i use them is because i think they look better than semi covering blocks and i dont have to worry about cookin the ram if i havent mounted any sinks. if i was on a budget i would not get one tho

for the swiftech kit you choices are the swiftech VGA block, a maze 4, silver prop fusion, or if you have the cash a full cover block (people will moan about restrictions on these)

 

[Mr Jones]

people will moan about restrictions on these

Aye... I'd start the moaning first
Once you get a full block, you're done for further upgrade (on your GPU) unless you buy yet another waterblock.
I mean, if you do get a x1900 series waterblock, in about a years time when decent Dx10 card comes out and you plan on upgrade, you'll need to fork out on yet another waterblock. Plus, having checked up on prices and options - I don't see it being worthy, yet.

However! Full blocks, with clear acrylic/glass on the top looks so so so so cool/sexy/pimp.

 

[jellybeard999]

full cover blocks perform EXACTLY as a maze4 GPU, since theyre the same, but with extra copper around it... channelled for the ram

the slight extra restriction doesnt do any damage in my experience...

i gained 100mhz extra ram overclock with my NV78 over zalman sinks with shin etsu tape... i spose if i used epoxy, it might be better, but i didnt want anything permanent...

 

[Bundles]

People seem to forget that when you watercool your GPU, it runs a hell of a lot cooler, so there is less heatsoak through the PCB into the RAM, making the RAM run a hell of a lot cooler too.

I gained 11mhz on my old 9800pros RAM when i watercooled the GPU, as well as a decent gain on the GPU itself.