Waterblock for a 5870 (want to quiet my system!)

[Sasqui]

So... the loudest thing in my rig now is the 5870 at a fan speed of 30%-40% & I want to tone it down with a waterblock.

Looking for reccomendations, anyone firsthand watercooled a 5870 or 5850 with good results?

If I get a better overclock, that would be a bonus.

 

[Marineborn]

ive heard good things about the 5870's being very overclock able especially the xxfx editions

 

[Sasqui]

ive heard good things about the 5870's being very overclock able especially the xxfx editions

This one tops out at Furmark stable 1040 core @ at 1.25v, fan full-blast - which is BLOODY LOUD!

 

[TheShad0W]

My 5850 seems to hit a problem in that at 1010 core/1.3v it seems to be drawing all of the power available to it from the power connectors (225W), so any increase in voltage to get better clocks causes it to lock up at a certain point in every 3dmark attempt (for furmark stable I have to back down to 985/1.28v to avoid the same symptoms)

However a 5870 I think can draw 300W, and judging by the fact that you're hitting 1040 at 1.25v, with water and say 1.3-1.35v you should get a really decent overclock out of it.

 

[MRCL]

EK blocks make decent blocks... I might only have blocks for the 4890, but they improved temps, stability and ocability significantly. My 5850 is on its way, and I will again use an EK block for it.

 

[Sasqui]

EK blocks make decent blocks... I might only have blocks for the 4890, but they improved temps, stability and ocability significantly. My 5850 is on its way, and I will again use an EK block for it.

The only EK part I've dealt with is the 150 Res - and it ROCKs.

So far with a quick search, I've seen:

• Koolance VID-AR587
• Danger Den DD-Summit
• EK EK-FC5850 Acrylic
• EK EK-FC5850 Acetal
• Bitspower BP-WBVGA5870-MBK - Black Freezer VG-A5870
• Aquacomputer aquagratiX für HD 5870 und HD 5850 (Available from Switzerland)
• XSPC Razor 5870 (Available from Switzerland)
• Watercool HEATKILLER® GPU-X³ 58X0 (Available from Switzerland)
• Swiftech Komodo-5800 for 5850/5870

Prices consistently range from $95-$125

 

[newtekie1]

I've always had good experiences with EK blocks and Danger Den blocks.

 

[Sasqui]

Wonder if Dtek is getting into the game - haven't seen anything.

 

[MRCL]

Aquacomputer, XSPC and Watercool also have blocks.

I think I heard not so good things about that Bitspower one...

 

[SummerDays]

EK full waterblock for 5870.

 

[Fitseries3]

Ek makes great products. http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/ekwaekac1.html

get the ek

 

[Sasqui]

Aquacomputer, XSPC and Watercool also have blocks.

I think I heard not so good things about that Bitspower one...

Updated the list above... I found the Swiftech block, and wrote an email to Dtek to see if they have one in the works.

The bitspower LOOKS stunning with LED through acrylic top, but the barb holes are vertical (tubes from top of card only) - others makes are off to the sides and allow front/back mounting options - for most.

 

[Sasqui]

Ek makes great products. http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/ekwaekac1.html

get the ek

The only thing that I don't dig about it - no options for hose on front/back

 

[MRCL]

Updated the list above... I found the Swiftech block, and wrote an email to Dtek to see if they have one in the works.

The bitspower LOOKS stunning with LED through acrylic top, but the barb holes are vertical (tubes from top of card only) - others makes are off to the sides and allow front/back mounting options - for most.

Oh, aquatuning also ships from the UK. I just used the Swiss subsidiary site.

The only thing that I don't dig about it - no options for hose on front/back

It does As Mr. Fits below me says, you just can't see it. You will also receive those closing screw thingies... I don't know what they are called.

 

[Fitseries3]

The only thing that I don't dig about it - no options for hose on front/back

yes it does... just cant see it in the pic.

 

[Sasqui]

yes it does... just cant see it in the pic.

I do see it - had a zoom-in pic on thier website.

That would look way cool with an LED glowing into it like the EK

 

[MRCL]

I do see it - had a zoom-in pic on thier website.

That would look way cool with an LED glowing into it like the EK

Says here four connections. They are also suitable for SLI/CFX, I've done it with my 4890s aswell.

 

[Sasqui]

Says here four connections. They are also suitable for SLI/CFX, I've done it with my 4890s aswell.

Wow that's pretty:

 

[SummerDays]

The nice thing about them is that they take up less room compared to air cooling, and you can triple crossfire them in a system and not have to worry about heat.

 

[Fitseries3]

shitty thing about them is they only work on 1 card and how long will it be before that card is old and no one wants yo buy the waterblock you just spent $120 on?

 

[Sasqui]

shitty thing about them is they only work on 1 card and how long will it be before that card is old and no one wants yo buy the waterblock you just spent $120 on?

That thought crossed my puny little mind... from what I've read, I won't get much over 1050 core in any case and the memory OC? Forget it.

Another thought - a good aftermarket air cooler... or a universal block and a bunch of heatsinks for the memory and voltage components?

 

[Fitseries3]

although i hate the look of the swiftech mcw60....

they do get the new mounts out very quickly so that may be an option for you.

dtek has dropped out of the game i think.

 

[Sasqui]

although i hate the look of the swiftech mcw60....

they do get the new mounts out very quickly so that may be an option for you.

dtek has dropped out of the game i think.

Looks like it'll fit from a few threads I came across... Hard part is cobbling together heatsinks for the rest of the card - mem, VRM, I/O.

I need to take the card apart and see what's being cooled.

Edit: Doesn't look like a lot:

 

[NastyHabits]

shitty thing about them is they only work on 1 card and how long will it be before that card is old and no one wants yo buy the waterblock you just spent $120 on?

That's why I buy the Swiftech MCW60 and a bunch of ramsinks. Transfer them from card to card. Kept my 4850 and 4870 at 40C no matter what I did to them. Also the swiftech has pins like a CPU block, more surface area for the water to contact.

I must admit that ramsinks are a PITA. You need to buy new thermal tape each time, and you MUST thoroughly clean the memory chips before placing the sinks on the chips. Still, it beats the crap out of throwing away $120.

 

[Sasqui]

That's why I buy the Swiftech MCW60 and a bunch of ramsinks. Transfer them from card to card. Kept my 4850 and 4870 at 40C no matter what I did to them. Also the swiftech has pins like a CPU block, more surface area for the water to contact.

I must admit that ramsinks are a PITA. You need to buy new thermal tape each time, and you MUST thoroughly clean the memory chips before placing the sinks on the chips. Still, it beats the crap out of throwing away $120.

Any recommendations for stick-on heatsinks?