Upgrade - 3x 7970 EK Blocks cooled with both 1260 & 360mm Rads. Pics & Data included

Really nice setup and temps. Thinking of going down the external radiator route myself at some point later in the year so quite happy to see how yours turned out.
 
Epic build. If you don't mind me asking how easy were the EK gpu blocks / back plates to fit? I have got 2 on their way for my 7950's...

By the way - your rig makes me jealous :p
 
I'm about to construct something similar (cooling wise) in the coming weeks, using my Phobya 1080 and an 800D.

I'd like to thank you for the pics showing how your tubing is laid out, its nice and tidy and has given me some inspiration for my project. If there was anything you would change with your tubing layout what would it be? if anything at all that is :D

Also do you think the 360 rad adds anything to your loop? Would you see any difference with it removed?
 
Alz_D said:
Epic build. If you don't mind me asking how easy were the EK gpu blocks / back plates to fit? I have got 2 on their way for my 7950's...

By the way - your rig makes me jealous :p
Click to expand...

Not to step on Stu's toes but I can give you some tips since I done this recently:

The EK instruction sheet is really nice, use it!

0) Make sure your up for it, i.e. not tired, I done both cards by lunch - starting a 9am.

1) Get your work area ready and clutter free, I placed a piece of cloth on top of table (helped me prevent slipping) after which I cut open an old mother board's anti-static bag and laid it on a piece of cloth (i.e. inside of bag top).

2) I used an anti static clip throughout my build, didn't want to risk it... almost 900 quid and in Stu's case, well .... approximately 1300 quid...

3) Make sure you remove all the screws, even that pesky tiny one which I forgot :D when doing my second one ... almost snapped my card until I realized.

4) Gently pry the cooler off the PCB, some of the VRAM is quite well adhered to the cooler, I had just benched my cards (to ensure no DOA) so they were warm... not too bad to pry off.

5) Be careful cleaning the chip, sometimes they go crazy with the thermal stuff i.e. it covers the transistors around the chip as well.

6) Partition your thermal pads, you need to cut these with a scissor, just make sure you have enough to cover all that is required. (I found this the hardest to be honest) ... and apply the thermal compound

7) Line up the block looking at the outer edges of the blocks, i.e. where the screws go, you should get it to within +-1mm-2mm. Now you need to flip the card and the block while keeping them together so that you can fit the screws.

8) Since you have a backplate, you don't have to fit all the screws, just lining up the bakplate roughly will reassure you of which ones you don't need to fit, i.e. these will be filled by the screws of the backplate.

Good Luck :)
 
Last edited:
Alz_D said:
Epic build. If you don't mind me asking how easy were the EK gpu blocks / back plates to fit? I have got 2 on their way for my 7950's...

By the way - your rig makes me jealous :p
Click to expand...

Really easy mate, just take your time and refuse to rush, you will be fine. The above chaps tips are all excellent, I need say no more.
P.S: I bet your not jealous of the 89 hours I have worked this week though. ;)

pgi947 said:
I'd like to thank you for the pics showing how your tubing is laid out, its nice and tidy and has given me some inspiration for my project. If there was anything you would change with your tubing layout what would it be? if anything at all that is :D
Click to expand...

Thanks, bar tidying up the top rear tube, nothing at all now, its about as tidy as its going to get now I think to be honest.

Also do you think the 360 rad adds anything to your loop? Would you see any difference with it removed?
Click to expand...
I think, generally speakng, its just addds HEAT as the rad must sit at case internals temp. However, its there as a secondary and teh fans programmed to only kick in if the delta between main rad in/out exceeds my parameters so I will await the height of summer and see if the fans ever kick in on it. to date, they have never been on. If not, I may well take it out and use it on another build.

glent said:
Beatuful build mate. drooled ony my keyboard a bit tbh
Click to expand...

Thank you, I am very pleased with it. :)
 
inSilica said:
Good Luck :)
Click to expand...

Stu @ MSD said:
Really easy mate, just take your time and refuse to rush, you will be fine. The above chaps tips are all excellent, I need say no more.
P.S: I bet your not jealous of the 89 hours I have worked this week though. ;)
Click to expand...

Thank you both for your replies. Just waiting for the bits to arrive now - and as long as the wonderfull people with the delivery company don't send this parcel to the other side of the country by mistake.... again :rolleyes: I should have it all built and running by the middle of next week :D
 
Stu @ MSD said:
Well, I guess for now its finished.
Cpu is now running 4.9ghz stable with the cards at 1200 GPU & 1575 Ram.


P1020874Medium.jpg
Click to expand...

Damn, that must be heavy. Two person requirement to lug that on the desk and back down. Crazy that radiator. Nearly as big as some cars. I really love how big cards turn into 1 slot when they go water cooled.
 
While I remember to ask, how did you route the fan cables to the aquero?

Plan to link my 4 180mm G-Silents to a fan controller to keep them low or off when required.

The Aquero a worthy investment? I know zero about them, but see an Aquero 4 on the MM that could lure me away from my FC5.
 
pgi947 said:
While I remember to ask, how did you route the fan cables to the aquero?

Plan to link my 4 180mm G-Silents to a fan controller to keep them low or off when required.

The Aquero a worthy investment? I know zero about them, but see an Aquero 4 on the MM that could lure me away from my FC5.
Click to expand...

Hi, just used a 4-1 adapter cable mate, the aquaero will manage some serious load no problem and has built in thermal management and its probably the best part of my rig, absolutely love it mate, get one...
 
I've passed on it just now as the Aquaero 4 I looked at would only take 10w per channel, 30w total, I know I won't hit that just yet but want to play it safe on my FC5 (40w/chan) for just now.

Just ordered a 4-1 fan cable, along with another £130 worth of stuff, the mrs is going to be full of joy I just know it :p
 
Loving the simplicity of your build.

I will probably do something similar if I dont upgrade to a Case Labs when I get an X79 board also.

However, as requested in a previous post, here is a couple of pics of my latest build using 2 x XSPC 240s stacked with 6x GT AP-15 fans at the bottom of the case.

img0531j.jpg

By oc2000 at 2012-04-03

img0502jk.jpg

By oc2000 at 2012-01-17

2 Loops. (CPU GPU)

Cooling setup:

CPU
CPU Block: Raystorm Special edition Copper
Swiftech MCP35x2 dual pump
2 x EX240 Rads stacked with 6 GT AP-15 fans
Aqua Computer High Flow monitor
2 x Inline Temp Sensors

Flow rate between 50 gph - 120 gph (PWM 35% and PWM 70%)

GPU

GPU Blocks EK 580 DCII x2
Swiftech MCP35x2 dual pump
1 x XSPC RX120 Push Pull 140mm fan Radiator
1 x XSPC RX360 Push Pull 120mm with GT AP-15
Aqua Computer High Flow monitor
2 x inline Temp Sensor

Flow rate between 50 gph - 120 gph (PWM 35% and PWM 70%)

Monitored by Water-cooled Aquaero 5 XT with 3x Power Adjust 2 Ultras.

I7 2700 @ 5ghz, GTX580s at 990 / 2300
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom