Universal GPU blocks any good?

[DodgeeRascal]

I haven't watercooled before and I'm starting to plan for my first custom loop.

I have 2 570 GTX, non reference cards, in SLI and would like to include these in my loop.

Toying with the idea of trying to sell them and side grade reference card/s for full blocks or just use the universal blocks.

Is there much of a performance loss in using the universals compared to the fulls?

Cheers,

Dodgee

 

[shadowscotland]

Universal block offer better temps, less flow restriction, reuse and lower depreciation.
SLI attachments are available with two manufactures to help tube routes.

Separate Vreg heatsinks are advised, with airflow pointing at them is some way.

Full cover blocks are just bling unless your:
1) overvolting to acheive max OC's (squeeze an extra ~5% more) or
2) you have a fully passive loop (all hot item underwater no fans) or
3) have a rubish case (no airflow) then they makes sence.

 

[DodgeeRascal]

Ahh, I just assumed the full blocks were better!

I will take another look at the universal blocks then I think, new case should have decent airflow to handle the heatsinks.

Cheers

 

[dazzerd]

Universal block offer better temps, less flow restriction, reuse and lower depreciation.
SLI attachments are available with two manufactures to help tube routes.

Separate Vreg heatsinks are advised, with airflow pointing at them is some way.

Full cover blocks are just bling unless your:
1) overvolting to acheive max OC's (squeeze an extra ~5% more) or
2) you have a fully passive loop (all hot item underwater no fans) or
3) have a rubish case (no airflow) then they makes sence.

+1 though I would say you only need to really worry about adding vreg heatsink and vram heatsinks if you have a high end card most mid range cards get away quite easily with none.

 

[Avenged7Fold]

I would really like it if there was an all in one universal GPU block kit. I have a custom loop with a full mobo block and a cpu block, considered getting a GPU block but thought it too much trouble to add it to the loop. Also i only have 240mm rad in my loop and a ek 4.0 pump, so i could be a bit ambitious considering my pumps output and my rad size. Also, a new block everytime i switch card would make my wallet feel guilty

My GPU atm is a GTX580 PNY liquid cooled. I doubt i could take the cooler off and put it on another card, but if i could, it would make my day!

 

[spoffle]

I have been debating going for universal GPU blocks myself recently, as I would definitely like to watercool my GPUs, but the prices of full cover blocks are just silly, and the fact that I'd be able to reuse unversal blocks if I change GPUs would be a massive massive bonus.

 

[sieze2]

Very interesting reply's. I too assumed a full block as better! What is considered the best universal GPU watercooling block. The EK one ?

 

[Avenged7Fold]

EK do great blocks and are a tad cheaper than XSPC's block. I think when it comes to VGA universal blocks, since they are quite specialised blocks, any company that does them, would make a quality block. I have never heard of a knock off VGA block.

Its not that i prefer universal ones, its just the inconveniences that come with full blocks are a bit much for me. If i had the cash, i would get a full block for every GPU i buy because then i wont have to worry about my GPU ram and voltage regulators. Flow restriction shouldn't be an issue unless you have your gear already, since pumps in general are pretty powerful. You would have to splash a lot of cash in blocks and really skimp on the pump before you see performance drop because most of today's blocks are high flow anyway.

 

[shadowscotland]

skinnee labs did a gpu universal block roundup some time ago here
Worth a read as they also have the EK full cover block and modified cpu block in the test.

I use a silverprop cyclone fusion HF (which must be 10 years old now) with a custom mounting plate.
Had a Danger Dan Maze4 before that which was almost as good.

For SLI / Crossfire there are a few 'bridges' available, with EK and watercool both doing an extended universal block

 

[DodgeeRascal]

I have been debating going for universal GPU blocks myself recently, as I would definitely like to watercool my GPUs, but the prices of full cover blocks are just silly, and the fact that I'd be able to reuse unversal blocks if I change GPUs would be a massive massive bonus.

Yep, a lingering thought at the back of my mind was having to fork out an extra £100-£200, each time I change my cards for new blocks.