Watercooled 480

Macro · 1 Apr 2010 at 18:47

I'm pondering my next GPU change and had held out for the 480 to appear before making up my mind. Now it's getting a bunch of bad press, but, it does seem to for most purpose be the quickest single GPU solution at the moment.

I could go 5970 or dual 5850s I suppose but by preference I'd rather avoid multi GPU solutions and ATI drivers of late don't fill me with confidence. There's no doubt though that the 5970 is a stocking, albeit slightly more expensive solution however...

It'll be watercooled which should take care of the heat and noise problems whatever I go for so perhaps I should consider the 480 after all. I'd almost certainly add an EK block myself but the EVGA watercooled 480 suggest temps of ~50deg and a moderate overclock out of the box.

Any thoughts on the merits or not taking into account the W/C option without degenerating into a flame fest chaps?

queamin · 1 Apr 2010 at 18:57

Buy what ever you happy with be it ati or nvidia

radar19 · 1 Apr 2010 at 19:02

It seems that W/C'ing is really the best way of enjoying the 480 without being defeafed, aside from the cost and the work needed to make it work. I dont see any problems with it.

straxusii · 1 Apr 2010 at 19:07

The 480 is the fastest stock single GPU, no one can argue with that.

Overclocked the 5870 could outpace it but under water you would hope the 480 could still keep the crown

Macro · 1 Apr 2010 at 19:13

queamin said:
Buy what ever you happy with be it ati or nvidia

I'm not really worried if it's ATI or Nvidia to be honest, just interested to get a view on if having the card under water makes for a slightly different conversation around which to go for. I'd be watercooling whatever card I go for so I'll write off the cost of the blocks either way.

VoG · 1 Apr 2010 at 19:28

well wc would take care of 2 of the more pressing problems with Fermi, those being heat & noise caused by the stock cooling solution, with those out the way it just leaves the cost & energy usage, if they don't bother you ( if your considering wc from the off, i can't see cost being an issue ) then jump in with both feet & enjoy your new kit

el Kuarlos · 1 Apr 2010 at 19:41

I would agree with the watercooling, a reasonable case for the 480 can be made using water.

Having said that a 5850 is much, much cheaper and if you don't need the features (cuda or physx), put that in your loop, clock it to 1000 and you will match a stock 480.

I understand you don't want multi gpu, so why not keep the change (least £200) and upgrade a lot earlier, 5850 is the value pricepoint right now and is unlikley to fall so the kit should hold its value giving a better resell.

Razor Time · 2 Apr 2010 at 02:45

I am also in the same position as the OP and cant decide between a 5970 or a GTX 480.

I am coming from a watercooled 4870X2 and I am worried that I wont see much of a difference going to a GTX 480 accept for physx and DX11. Is there any info on how far you could push a GTX 480 underwater? I am hoping the GTX 480 is a good clocker once the temps are tamed.

radar19 · 2 Apr 2010 at 02:54

Razor Time said:
I am also in the same position as the OP and cant decide between a 5970 or a GTX 480.

I am coming from a watercooled 4870X2 and I am worried that I wont see much of a difference going to a GTX 480 accept for physx and DX11. Is there any info on how far you could push a GTX 480 underwater?

I would imagine a lot further than on air. I would hazard a guess, a heavyly OC'd 480 on water would be very close to the realms of the 5970.

James J · 2 Apr 2010 at 03:14

radar19 said:
I would imagine a lot further than on air. I would hazard a guess, a heavyly OC'd 480 on water would be very close to the realms of the 5970.

You run the risk though when you buy something with the sole intention of overclocking it as you might get a card which doesn't even go 10mhz over stock lol. For the OP id say if your happy with nvidia and fancy watercooling a 480, do it.

To the guy asking if he should get a 480 or a 5970, when hes coming from a 4870x2, I'd say the 5970 time and time again, its the faster card by 20/30% per game

radar19 · 2 Apr 2010 at 03:29

James J said:
You run the risk though when you buy something with the sole intention of overclocking it as you might get a card which doesn't even go 10mhz over stock lol. For the OP id say if your happy with nvidia and fancy watercooling a 480, do it.

To the guy asking if he should get a 480 or a 5970, when hes coming from a 4870x2, I'd say the 5970 time and time again, its the faster card by 20/30% per game

A OC'd 5970 would crush a 480.

Razor Time · 2 Apr 2010 at 12:49

James J said:
To the guy asking if he should get a 480 or a 5970, when hes coming from a 4870x2, I'd say the 5970 time and time again, its the faster card by 20/30% per game

If there is 20/30% difference between the two cards now, surely driver optimisations should hopefully close that gap to maybe 15% difference which I think I could live with.

How well do 5970's overclock under water?

James J · 2 Apr 2010 at 13:53

Razor Time said:
If there is 20/30% difference between the two cards now, surely driver optimisations should hopefully close that gap to maybe 15% difference which I think I could live with.

How well do 5970's overclock under water?

I doubt the gap will close as its 2gpus vs 1 mate. ATI crossfire profiles have only just been properly implemented as well so theres still a lot of headroom even for the 5970. Overclocking wise, how long is a piece of string?

Trunks9486 · 2 Apr 2010 at 14:50

5970 under a full cover block have been clocking quite well. As long as the VRMs are kept under control then it should clock pretty well.

Serpantine · 2 Apr 2010 at 14:55

It going to cost you what, £420 or so for the 480 and say £100+ for the WC block +rad, pump etc if you don't have it.

With that in mind i'd rather spend an extra £30 on a card that can actually cool itself and get the performance deserved for that sort of cash. (5970)

Nivek · 2 Apr 2010 at 15:02

Athanor said:
I'm pondering my next GPU change and had held out for the 480 to appear before making up my mind. Now it's getting a bunch of bad press, but, it does seem to for most purpose be the quickest single GPU solution at the moment.

I could go 5970 or dual 5850s I suppose but by preference I'd rather avoid multi GPU solutions and ATI drivers of late don't fill me with confidence. There's no doubt though that the 5970 is a stocking, albeit slightly more expensive solution however...

It'll be watercooled which should take care of the heat and noise problems whatever I go for so perhaps I should consider the 480 after all. I'd almost certainly add an EK block myself but the EVGA watercooled 480 suggest temps of ~50deg and a moderate overclock out of the box.

Any thoughts on the merits or not taking into account the W/C option without degenerating into a flame fest chaps?

What card do you have at the moment ?

RavenXXX2 · 2 Apr 2010 at 15:05

Latest 480 review http://techreport.com/articles.x/18682 you're having a laugh if you think it's anymore than 10% better than a 5870, hell the ATI card beats it in a number of games or is on par, overclocked 5870 will have it easily " in response to those claiming a 480 can match a 5970 "

As for watercooling, then yeah best thing for the 480 knowing how hot it gets under air cooling.

If you want the best then a 5970 is the way to, uses less power as well.. :eek:

Nivek · 2 Apr 2010 at 15:10

RavenXXX2 said:
Latest 480 review http://techreport.com/articles.x/18682 you're having a laugh if you think it's anymore than 10% better than a 5870, hell the ATI card beats it in a number of games or is on par, overclocked 5870 will have it easily " in response to those claiming a 480 can match a 5970 "

As for watercooling, then yeah best thing for the 480 knowing how hot it gets under air cooling.

My friend doesnt need to watercool his 295GTX and thats around the same temp. You would think that would be the best thing for a 295GTX too. Any reason for that ?

jigger · 2 Apr 2010 at 15:15

Water cooling a GTX480 would allow you to reduce the noise. I dont think it would do that much for increasing the the overclocking head room. I mean its got very high end air cooling as standard.

RavenXXX2 · 2 Apr 2010 at 15:16

That's your friend :confused:

I'm going on expert reviews on the web who claim the card runs dangerously hot and will not be good for the longevity of the card, in turn watercooling would be the best option, in fact I believe it to be a necessity if you have the funds, and of course no hoover style fan going off when the card hits 90c+ temps.