Water cooled 7970 questions

[the54thvoid]

Hi to those that have w/c 7970's.

I'm as close as it gets to jumping from my 580 Lightning to a water cooled card. At this time the 7970 is the best option (I think Kepler will fail or take too long to appear).

I was hoping to find out the experiences of those who have watercooled their 7970's especially regarding VRM temps as I've come across a few posts (other forums) that criticise the EK blocks for not really covering all hot components. i.e. the upcoming Kommodo 7970 waterblock from Swiftech looks awesome and is a true full coverage w/b.

My reasons to change are purely to make a cpu/gpu water loop (and take this opportunity to upgrade card).

Just looking for 'encouragement' to finally jump. Core speeds, temps, glitches etc.

Cheers.

[erocker]

You don't need a "true coverage" waterblock, besides.. Cooling the VRM's with a water passage is going to decrease flow.

I'm using a copper/acetal EK block. Card is at 1125/1500

Idle:


Load (furmark burn test):


As you can see, they are nice and cool.

One thing I really like about EK is that if there is a problem or if you just have questions, Eddy (the owner) replies to your emails. Can't beat their service.

[20mmrain]

Well I just water cooled my Sapphire HD7970's.... Here is a crummy picture of them (Still a work in progress waiting for more parts before I clean up my system)......



Anyway... With my full EK water blocks and the fact that my water cooling setup is one loop. Here are my normal temps at stock clocks on my cards....

GPU1 37c Max load
GPU 2 36c Max load.

CPU @ 4.5 Ghz 50c highest core.

I haven't overclocked my cards yet with the blocks but as you can see I have a lot of room if I want too.
I got these results like I said on one loop with two rads.... a 360 rad and a 240 rad.

Hope this gives you some idea.

[the54thvoid]

Thanks guys. **opens wallet**

Nice Raystorm rain. Just like mine

[20mmrain]

Yeah I love it so far! great results with it even compared to some of the higher priced blocks out there. I don't think you can beat it for the money!

[DOM]

Originally Posted by erocker

You don't need a "true coverage" waterblock, besides.. Cooling the VRM's with a water passage is going to decrease flow.

I'm using a copper/acetal EK block. Card is at 1125/1500

Idle:
http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/p...414/gputmp.jpg

Load (furmark burn test):
http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/p...4/gputmpld.jpg

As you can see, they are nice and cool.

One thing I really like about EK is that if there is a problem or if you just have questions, Eddy (the owner) replies to your emails. Can't beat their service.

your temps are lil better then mine on the vrm are you running it was a cpu block in the loop ?


@ OP I would get a backplate it looks sweet

[erocker]

Originally Posted by DOM

your temps are lil better then my on the vrm


@ OP I would get a backplate it looks sweet

Maybe it's because I have the backplate? There are thermal pads for the backside of the VRM's

[DOM]

Originally Posted by erocker

Maybe it's because I have the backplate? There are thermal pads for the backside of the VRM's

i have one also

but i have the cpu before the gpu in my loop

[the54thvoid]

Thanks spamming ahoy. Gave you another thanks erocker instead of DOM but removing it would be rude

[claylomax]

I can't find any 7970 that comes with a water block; it's been a year since release. Have you seen any? I'd rather get one of those than fix the block myself.

[DarkOCean]

Originally Posted by claylomax

I can't find any 7970 that comes with a water block; it's been a year since release. Have you seen any? I'd rather get one of those than fix the block myself.

the powercolor lcs http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/b51..._7970_LCS.html

[claylomax]

Originally Posted by DarkOCean

the powercolor lcs http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/b51..._7970_LCS.html

Yeah, sorry, that's the only one but I can't find it here in the UK. But it seems strange there's only one.

[Jack1n]

Originally Posted by claylomax

Yeah, sorry, that's the only one but I can't find it here in the UK. But it seems strange there's only one.

If only EVGA made AMD cards...

[DOM]

Originally Posted by DarkOCean

the powercolor lcs http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/b51..._7970_LCS.html

thats a ek wb the 1st one before they went to the OOOOOOOOOOOOO

but i also got mine from EK wb site with the back blate looks alot

[the54thvoid]

Originally Posted by claylomax

I can't find any 7970 that comes with a water block; it's been a year since release. Have you seen any? I'd rather get one of those than fix the block myself.

I have an LCS 7970 from Powercolor (Bought from OcUK) and I also now have a custom MSI 7970 OC with CSQ block and backplate and single slot i/o.

I didn't want to have my first water cooled gfx card 'mangled up' by my own hands but seriously, it's not that hard. It took about an hour or so of careful work, nothing more technical than cutting out shapes and unscrewing and screwing things back on.

Best thing is the card i built up runs 5 degrees cooler (both running at 1050MHz core, no voltage tweaks).

If you can use a small screwdriver and have careful hands - it's very easy to do.


Edit: Just checked OcUK....

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...=56&subcat=938