3 way SLI Asus GTX 780Ti Direct CU II

[mavthegenius]

Hi Guys,

I have configured a new gaming system (config below) and was trying to get a 3 way SLI going for "Asus GTX 780 Ti Direct CU II OC" but there seems to be a problem. The cards are touching each other and hence the fans are colliding. Is there a solution ?

I have 7 slots and one of them is being used for a WiFi card. So I can't separate them more. Is it possible to remove the fans from one of the GPU and use it that way ?


My config
Asrock X79 Extreme11
Intel Core i7-4960X 4.00 GHz
Nzxt Krakan X 60 CPU Cooler
G Skill F3 – 2400C10Q – 32GTX
Asus GTX 780 Ti Direct CU II OC
Cooler Master Silent Pro M2 1500W RSF00
Cooler Master COSMOS II RC-1200-KKN1 Chassis

 

[blackened23]

Unless you are water cooling you should not ever, ever get custom cards for tri SLI or quad SLI. You need reference. It's that simple really. Getting 3 custom cards to work in tandem is not going to work because they're sandwiched, and the heat of 3X 250W TDP cards are being dumped in your case. It won't work.

Reference blower models. That's what you need.

 

[mavthegenius]

Agree. But the lesson learnt a bit too late. I have three of them now so trying to find a solution for that.

Do you think a solution like this will work -> http://www.ekwb.com/news/467/19/New-Full-Cover-water-blocks-in-the-works-March-2014/

 

[blackened23]

Yes. Water cooling is realistically the only solution that will work for 3 of those cards. It won't be an easy one if you're new to doing custom loops, but if you invest several days in learning how to do it - you'll do fine.

 

[mavthegenius]

Thanks. One more question - isn't there a bit more simple solution like Nzxt Krakan X 60 CPU Cooler for CPU i.e a closed loop cooler ?

Also do you think 2 x Asus GTX 780 Ti Direct CU II OC are good enough for most games ? 2 way SLI runs fine with temperatures being no issue. i can then sell the third card

 

[blackened23]

That would be a bit complicated, no? You'd need 3 of those which are double slot to my knowledge (or triple? Can anyone confirm?) and you would need to find 3 120mm rad spaces in your case far away from each other. Seems like a messy way of doing things.

A custom loop would be a way more difficult but more rewarding way of fixing the problem. Just be ready to invest a lot of time in reading up on the how to's.

BTW - are you not in your 30 day return window? Are you able to exchange for reference cards?

 

[guskline]

mavthegenius, I think the easiest answer is to sell one the the video cards and go with 2 properly spaced 780 Tis. First let me compliment you on a VERY powerful system. To properly cool 3 780s you most likely will have to build a custom loop (VERY EXPENSIVE).

I have a custom water cooled loop. A XSPC RX360 rad internally at the top joined by a XSPC EX360 rad externally mounted vertically to the rear of my case (CoolerMaster HAF 932 Advanced). I should have bought a Corsair 900 case so I could have had them mounted internally. I have an XSPC Acrylic 2 bay D5-pump/reservoir combo with a Swiftech 655b pump, 6 Corsair SP120 HP fans with volt reducers, Swiftech ApogeeHD cpu block and EVGA Hydro Copper block and backplate cooling my single EVGA GTX780 Classified. My 3930k is OC'd to 4.5 Ghz on an Asus Sabertooth X79.

TRUST ME custom water cooling is not for the poor or feight of heart. You OBVIOUSLY spent serious $$$ putting your rig together. Running "just" 2 of your 780 TIs in SLI will be plenty for the forseeable future.

I agree that 3 reference 780TIs would be doable (although I would opt for a custom loop with 3 or 4) but your choice of the custom cards precludes this.

Sell one of the gpus and you still have a BLAZING fast rig that should not overheat.

BTW NEVER run a gpu without a fan or water cooling.

 

[lehtv]

I agree with guskline, your best bet is to just go with dual cards instead of triple. If you find the performance lacking (unlikely), then I guess that's when you need to choose between lowering your standards until faster GPUs are released, or learning to set up a water cooling system. I wouldn't recommend triple reference cards due to the sheer amount of noise they would make.