Waterblock for gainward GTX 680?

BluSky · 25 Oct 2012 at 10:10

Hi all, does anyone know if the GTX 680 on today only is compatible with waterblocks? It looks reference at first glance but it has 8pin + 6 pin power connectors which is not reference. Gainwards website doesn't give much extra info and it is not listed on the EK cooling configurator.

Thanks in advance

Gregster · 25 Oct 2012 at 11:26

It does look reference but I doubt it is. I tried to find out but also stumped. Ask in customers service or failing that, email gainward.

BluSky · 25 Oct 2012 at 11:49

Yeah I have sent them an email. I hope they get back to me today

. Thanks for the reply

*Rich* · 25 Oct 2012 at 12:25

I I have the phantom 680's with the same power sockets and they are reference. I fitted new style xspc raystorm water blocks to mine no problems.

BluSky · 25 Oct 2012 at 14:04

*Rich* said:
I I have the phantom 680's with the same power sockets and they are reference. I fitted new style xspc raystorm water blocks to mine no problems.

Interesting. So basically the pcb has been modified to take an 8pin + 6pin instead of 2 x 6 pin connectors but the chips etc are in the same place so the waterblocks work?

Edit: actually on further thought, this is using the reference heatsink. Surely if the board wasn't basically reference then the reference sink wouldnt work?

elmuzzy66. · 25 Oct 2012 at 15:09

Ek have released the gtx+ wb for the 680's which cover the phantom cards and palit too i think.

pgi947 · 25 Oct 2012 at 15:12

Reference 680's come with two power socket variants, one with stacked connectors and one side by side, look on a stacked pcb you'll see the empty socket pins for the alternate layout.

Side by side is usually 8+6 pin while stacked is usually 6+6 pin.

Waterblocks should fit on either, I had an ek block on a 680 pcb 670 with the side by side lay out.

BluSky · 25 Oct 2012 at 18:15

Thanks for all of the input guys. I have taken the risk and ordered one. I am hoping these use the same PCB as the phantoms and I will be OK.

*Rich* · 26 Oct 2012 at 16:36

Good luck, but pretty sure it'll fit no problems anyway. Take a pic of your PCB when it's apart and we'll compare it to mine for reference to see if there are many differences.