Have AIOs killed custom loops?

[Waldorf]

@wheresmycar
i had no problem getting at least one option for full block on xx(70)80 gpu when looking at 3xxx/4xxx series in the past, tho much more common than aio,
especially since evga dropped gpus.
alphacool offers an AIO option with replaceable blocks, so you only exchange that, and keep the rest of the parts, similar to their eisbaer using G1/4 stuff/QC,
and they as well as arctic might even make one for certain "unusual" cards, when they dont have a block for it.

 

[Kapone33]

@wheresmycar
i had no problem getting at least one option for full block on xx(70)80 gpu when looking at 3xxx/4xxx series in the past, tho much more common than aio,
especially since evga dropped gpus.
alphacool offers an AIO option with replaceable blocks, so you only exchange that, and keep the rest of the parts, similar to their eisbaer using G1/4 stuff/QC,
and they as well as arctic might even make one for certain "unusual" cards, when they dont have a block for it.

Don't forget Byiski. They make blocks for even "budget" GPUs.

 

[AVATARAT]

The main question here is not how efficient or better are Custom Loops than AIOs, the question is about popularity.
And yes AIOs are more popular than Custom loops nowadays.

 

[JustBenching]

Outside of CLs whats holding back GPU all-in-one liquid cooling solutions? The ones that are available are usually limited in supply and over-priced to feed the unremitting years-old niche. By now I envisaged GPU-AIOs being extensively available including support for abundant 360mm rad solutions - all that at a reasonable price. But we're far from it. Whats the hold up? Not enough demand or demand deterrence due to unaffordability for most? Last time i queried the same someone suggested its the GPU size/design variance which sparks greater compatibility concerns or complex manufacturing processes. One way or another i still fancy seeing more diverse and affordable GPU-AIO offerings... not just "seeing" but i'd bank one.

Well lots of people don't want to open up their cards, in EU you can even lose your warranty. Also it is harder to install for the normal user due to pad thickness etc.

Of course there is a cost involved. Unless you bought the absolute fastest card available, the cost for a gpu aio means you could could just buy a higher end model.

 

[Brotato]

Don't forget Byiski. They make blocks for even "budget" GPUs.

This right here. My option was either bykski or leave my zotac 4070ti trinity oc on air.

 

[Ruru]

The issue was EK thought they were on the same level as Asus or even God forbid Apple. Then their is also the QC issues.

Alphacool is better IMO what it comes to those more famous watercooling gear manufacturers. Though I have an EK fullcover block on my GPU but still.

 

[Kapone33]

Alphacool is better IMO what it comes to those more famous watercooling gear manufacturers. Though I have an EK fullcover block on my GPU but still.

There is no doubt that Alphacool is the best in terms of price/performance but there is a huge caveat for me. As it is in the EU and I live in Canada I have to pay customs fees that add a surtax to that purchase as well as shipping costs. Once in a while you can find their products on Amazon but that is very rare. One of the pros for EK is that you get a true single slot GPU but once they juiced their prices it became non viable. I also had EK but mine produced a leak that looked spectacular with ARGB lighting before the PC shut down. EK tried to blame me for using Alphacool G 1/4 tubing.

If you trust Ali Express then Byisiki is (as I said) is a good choice as well.

Well lots of people don't want to open up their cards, in EU you can even lose your warranty. Also it is harder to install for the normal user due to pad thickness etc.

Of course there is a cost involved. Unless you bought the absolute fastest card available, the cost for a gpu aio means you could could just buy a higher end model.

If you trust those pre built and they are not all built equal. There is also the cost of the cheapest card like a Pulse vs a Aorus card and it couild still be cheaper to get a block yourself. Alphacool GPU blocks are not that expensive.

 

[Ruru]

There is no doubt that Alphacool is the best in terms of price/performance but there is a huge caveat for me. As it is in the EU and I live in Canada I have to pay customs fees that add a surtax to that purchase as well as shipping costs. Once in a while you can find their products on Amazon but that is very rare. One of the pros for EK is that you get a true single slot GPU but once they juiced their prices it became non viable. I also had EK but mine produced a leak that looked spectacular with ARGB lighting before the PC shut down. EK tried to blame me for using Alphacool G 1/4 tubing.

If you trust Ali Express then Byisiki is (as I said) is a good choice as well.


If you trust those pre built and they are not all built equal. There is also the cost of the cheapest card like a Pulse vs a Aorus card and it couild still be cheaper to get a block yourself. Alphacool GPU blocks are not that expensive.

Ah, that sucks. Don't they have retailers in Canada? :/

edit: and yeah, Bykski and Barrow have good reputation even though they're Chinese

 

[Kapone33]

Ah, that sucks. Don't they have retailers in Canada? :/

edit: and yeah, Bykski and Barrow have good reputation even though they're Chinese

Yes but then you are paying EK prices and shipping costs are the same. Canada is one of the worst places for Ware Cooling in terms of cost. Thank Corsair for getting into it so we can still get 360 rads for $99 CAD but Alphacool is by far my favourite WC vendor.

 

[Ruru]

Yes but then you are paying EK prices and shipping costs are the same. Canada is one of the worst places for Ware Cooling in terms of cost. Thank Corsair for getting into it so we can still get 360 rads for $99 CAD but Alphacool is by far my favourite WC vendor.

Haven't used Corsair's custom loop parts myself but at least that rad price sounds reasonable.

 

[dgianstefani]

Haven't used Corsair's custom loop parts myself but at least that rad price sounds reasonable.

Their blocks are decent mid range.

Their rads tend to be made by HWLabs.

I use EK fittings though and Optimus blocks where I can.

Corsair is primarily good for excellent stock availability and logistics etc.

 

[Arctucas]

There is no doubt that Alphacool is the best in terms of price/performance but there is a huge caveat for me. As it is in the EU and I live in Canada I have to pay customs fees that add a surtax to that purchase as well as shipping costs. Once in a while you can find their products on Amazon but that is very rare. One of the pros for EK is that you get a true single slot GPU but once they juiced their prices it became non viable. I also had EK but mine produced a leak that looked spectacular with ARGB lighting before the PC shut down. EK tried to blame me for using Alphacool G 1/4 tubing.

If you trust Ali Express then Byisiki is (as I said) is a good choice as well.


If you trust those pre built and they are not all built equal. There is also the cost of the cheapest card like a Pulse vs a Aorus card and it couild still be cheaper to get a block yourself. Alphacool GPU blocks are not that expensive.

Dazmode?

 

[Ruru]

Their blocks are decent mid range.

Their rads tend to be made by HWLabs.

I use EK fittings though and Optimus blocks where I can.

Corsair is primarily good for excellent stock availability and logistics etc.

EK fittings (hardtube ones) here too and nothing to complain. I had Alphacool softtube fittings before and those also worked fine.

edit: Alphacool rad, Alphacool CPU block, EK GPU block, EK fittings, EK tubes, Alphacool res and a generic DDC pump

 

[Kapone33]

Dazmode?

Dazmode and Aquatuning are both Alphacool distros.

Their blocks are decent mid range.

Their rads tend to be made by HWLabs.

I use EK fittings though and Optimus blocks where I can.

Corsair is primarily good for excellent stock availability and logistics etc.

They are about the only rad or pump/res combo that you can buy at any PC store.

 

[wheresmycar]

Lack of demand.

Full coverage blocks are generally too expensive to justify and not widely applicable. There are a few AIO units that they can be used with (if the pumps aren't to anemic) but single use blocks and AIOs aren't common or popular. The few GPU only block/memory and vrm air cooled units that existed (NZXT x63) aren't likely to cool the current power hogs well if at all. From what I recall, the heatsink portion was difficult to mount with many cards and they were discontinued a while ago and no one else picked up where they left off.

thats the unfortunate barricade > the value proposition. I've had several opportunities to pick up a block for both my 1080 TI and 3080 but couldn't be bothered to pay the haughty tax and costing the warranty. The one time i did commit was a used build during the pandemic with a de-shrouded 2080 TI paired with a G12 mount + X62 pump.

If a pricier full block is the only way to go i guess 'lack of demand' is understandable.

@wheresmycar
i had no problem getting at least one option for full block on xx(70)80 gpu when looking at 3xxx/4xxx series in the past, tho much more common than aio,
especially since evga dropped gpus.
alphacool offers an AIO option with replaceable blocks, so you only exchange that, and keep the rest of the parts, similar to their eisbaer using G1/4 stuff/QC,
and they as well as arctic might even make one for certain "unusual" cards, when they dont have a block for it.

Ive seen those blocks... i'm just not for voiding warranties with the brand spanking new. I'm a nerve wreck with the compo pushing limits and shit just burning up... it has to be a stock GPU-AIO solution with that sweet manufacturer guarantee soft padding Its either that or one of those stock chunky 3-slot/+ cards.

Well lots of people don't want to open up their cards, in EU you can even lose your warranty. Also it is harder to install for the normal user due to pad thickness etc.

Of course there is a cost involved. Unless you bought the absolute fastest card available, the cost for a gpu aio means you could could just buy a higher end model.

Yep at its current rate... a better performing card would be the sensible choice over a similar priced but a peg-down GPU-AIO. These AIO submerged cards are way too expensive to consider.

 

[Waldorf]

@AVATARAT
not really a question to me, as its just easier to install a rad and mount the block, and not have to deal with setup/tube routing/coolant.

@fevgatos
unless something has changed recently, replacing the cooler wont void warranty, as long as it gets returned with stock cooler.
ignoring things like damage from install/ocing, which isnt covered either way.

@others
its usually cheaper to get a card with block from mfg, vs buying block and installing it yourself.
and doing a loop (even if its reusing things like eisbaer), will save some cost/time, as yoonly replace the gpu, and with QC even easier.

and many forget that chips get binned, with anyone making a LC version as well, they tend to give those the better silicon, with those having a full block to be the top perf chip.
one reason my 2080S does 2.2ghz (havent tweaked past that), not just because its wc.

so far, at least the xx80 were done by Gb with a full block...