P9X79 Pro - installing a vrm waterblock

Tattysnuc · 15 Jan 2014 at 13:13

Hi guys (and gals)

Has anyone installed a vrm waterblock on a P9X79 pro board? I've just ordered one but I'm having second thoughts.

I'll elaborate. The P9X79 pro has what looks to have 2 cooling banks joined by an angled heatpipe.
see:

and more clearly:

EK state on their web site...
http://www.ekwb.com/shop/blocks/motherboard-blocks/mosfet-blocks/intel-x79-series/ek-mosfet-asus-x79-en-nickel.html

that
"Please note this water block cools exactly as much heat generating components as ASUS factory cooling solution"

Has anyone taken the vrm cooling off their P9X79 pro? What is underneath?

I've had a look on t'interwebb but I can't find any teardowns or installs, just the library pictures used by EK.

Can anyone advise?

Many thanks

Tatty

Silent_Scone · 15 Jan 2014 at 14:00

Hi,

I can't really comment on the question directly, so apologies for that. But I will ask what you intend on doing overclocking wise? I had this board for 3 years. The VRM sink on this board is pretty good compared to some alternative models from other vendors. I find it's not really essential to modify it at all. At best a fan behind the motherboard. Obviously if it is for cosmetic reasons putting it under water, that's fine

Adam_101 · 15 Jan 2014 at 14:27

MjFrosty said:
Hi,

I can't really comment on the question directly, so apologies for that. But I will ask what you intend on doing overclocking wise? I had this board for 3 years. The VRM sink on this board is pretty good compared to some alternative models from other vendors. I find it's not really essential to modify it at all. At best a fan behind the motherboard. Obviously if it is for cosmetic reasons putting it under water, that's fine

I second this. I had this motherboard for a while now and is pretty solid in terms of the VRM sink.

Avenged7Fold · 15 Jan 2014 at 14:57

I have done a handful of motherboard blocks in the past and can answer you to an extent (don't have the board, but i cant imagine itl be different to any other mobo waterblock).

Whats underneath:

The top heatsink is the MOSFET heatsink and is sink your block replaces. The other heatsink by the RAM probably cools one or two VRMs which liekly deal with the power delivery to the RAM and don't need even passive heatsinks to cool them.

As for installation:

1. When it comes to unscrewing your heatsink, unscrew each screw bit by bit before removing the screws entirely. This makes things a lot easier incase one screw is particularly stubborn. Your block does not cool the NB but if it did, always remove the nb screws first, as these are usually much stiffer and tighter than other screws.

2. clean the surface with alcohol/TIM cleaner.

3. Cut out the correct size thermal pads. In this case, you will have just one thermal pad of a single thickness, so pretty much foolproof.

4. put a very small blob of non conductive TIM on the MOSFETs. This is to make sure the pad sticks to the right components correctly.

5. place the block on it and partially screw each screw down evenly. Alternating between opposite screws and screwing each bit by bit to ensure even pressure.

6. If you think you might have done it wrong, unscrew the block and check the thermal pad to see if there was contact.

7. Repeat #5 but tightening the screws further, not much danger in destroying anything due to no chip being there. If you were mounting onto a naked chip like on a GPU or nb, i would be very careful on how much force you screw it down (doesnt take much tbh), but your block is a VRM block, so you would have to be pretty reckless to break anything.

Tattysnuc · 15 Jan 2014 at 15:05

That's really helpful - thank you!

I may get some ram-sinks to put on any of the soon-to be uncovered components - just to be sure.

Avenged7Fold said:
I have done a handful of motherboard blocks in the past and can answer you to an extent (don't have the board, but i cant imagine itl be different to any other mobo waterblock).

Whats underneath:

The top heatsink is the MOSFET heatsink and is sink your block replaces. The other heatsink by the RAM probably cools one or two VRMs which liekly deal with the power delivery to the RAM and don't need even passive heatsinks to cool them.

As for installation:

1. When it comes to unscrewing your heatsink, unscrew each screw bit by bit before removing the screws entirely. This makes things a lot easier incase one screw is particularly stubborn. Your block does not cool the NB but if it did, always remove the nb screws first, as these are usually much stiffer and tighter than other screws.

2. clean the surface with alcohol/TIM cleaner.

3. Cut out the correct size thermal pads. In this case, you will have just one thermal pad of a single thickness, so pretty much foolproof.

4. put a very small blob of non conductive TIM on the MOSFETs. This is to make sure the pad sticks to the right components correctly.

5. place the block on it and partially screw each screw down evenly. Alternating between opposite screws and screwing each bit by bit to ensure even pressure.

6. If you think you might have done it wrong, unscrew the block and check the thermal pad to see if there was contact.

7. Repeat #5 but tightening the screws further, not much danger in destroying anything due to no chip being there. If you were mounting onto a naked chip like on a GPU or nb, i would be very careful on how much force you screw it down (doesnt take much tbh), but your block is a VRM block, so you would have to be pretty reckless to break anything.

Tattysnuc · 15 Jan 2014 at 15:08

Adam_101 said:
I second this. I had this motherboard for a while now and is pretty solid in terms of the VRM sink.

MjFrosty said:
Hi,

I can't really comment on the question directly, so apologies for that. But I will ask what you intend on doing overclocking wise? I had this board for 3 years. The VRM sink on this board is pretty good compared to some alternative models from other vendors. I find it's not really essential to modify it at all. At best a fan behind the motherboard. Obviously if it is for cosmetic reasons putting it under water, that's fine

Thanks for your comments

The truth is that I want to put it under water - I've no room for a fan anywhere around the VRM's due to it's proximity to the radiator in the top of my case. The air is pretty static at that location and there's no way I can get it moving!

Asus recommend putting a fan near the block as well, so hence wanting to make sure I keep them cool.

Avenged7Fold · 15 Jan 2014 at 15:11

Tattysnuc said:
That's really helpful - thank you!

I may get some ram-sinks to put on any of the soon-to be uncovered components - just to be sure.

Understandable, these x79 boards no doubt dedicate a few more VRMs for the RAM and though probably wont get toasty, RAM sinks are only a few quid and will be worth it if it gives you peace of mind.

OLDPHART · 15 Jan 2014 at 16:20

No need they can handle the heat or add some heatsinks, just make sure you have good air flow in your case.

mmj_uk · 15 Jan 2014 at 17:11

"Please note this water block cools exactly as much heat generating components as ASUS factory cooling solution"

Presuming it's the same as Rampage IV Formula (it may not be?) the reason they state this is because the things on the back of the motherboard are only cooled passively by a retention plate/tim pad the same as the stock heatsink; and the block between io/ram isn't in direct contact with anything (aside from the main VRM heatisnk via a heatpipe).

IIRC some people were complaining about the back of the motherboard still getting hot and even complaining that the stock cooler has two blocks compared to EK's single block and the above quote is their response to it.