GTX 680 Watercooling

[p_monks33]

Can someone help me out. I have never done a custom loop before, and want to use these parts. I need to know which barbs, fittings, hose, and any other accessories I might need, to purchase.

Want to start with this kit- http://www.xs-pc.com/products/watercooling-kits/rasa-750-rs240-watercooling-kit/

And two of these blocks- http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...al_EK-FC680_GTX_-_Acetal.html?tl=g30c311s1631

I have 1 EVGA backplate, and plan to buy another unless it wont work with the above blocks.

 

[Don Karnage]

What are the reasons for watercooling? Overclocking? Cooler temps?

 

[BrightCandle]

You'll need to add another radiator, ideally at least RS360 but you should be able to get away with a RS240 if you don't overclock the graphics cards, or with an RS240 you'll have to run the fans above 1200 rpm which is going to be loud.

But honestly I think the pump isn't up to a long loop with 2 GPUs and 2 radiators in it. Its a very low end pump and the addition of so much to the loop is likely to drop the flow rate too much.

 

[p_monks33]

They aren't getting overclocked, and the CPU will not be in the loop. The temps on these cards in SLI is crappy. 85+ and the fans are whirring up a storm. I don't need temps in the 30's I just want to keep them under 65ish while gaming. I figured a 240 would be more than enough for such a low wattage set of cards. My case will take another 120mm and a 240mm but no mounting available for a 360. Is there a better alternative to the RASA kit that is affordable?

 

[Don Karnage]

They aren't getting overclocked, and the CPU will not be in the loop. The temps on these cards in SLI is crappy. 85+ and the fans are whirring up a storm. I don't need temps in the 30's I just want to keep them under 65ish while gaming. I figured a 240 would be more than enough for such a low wattage set of cards. My case will take another 120mm and a 240mm but no mounting available for a 360. Is there a better alternative to the RASA kit that is affordable?

Something is very wrong if your getting temps that high as you have 3 slot spacing between the pcie slots.

What are your ambients like? Have you made a custom fan profile? Do you have fans on the door of the case? The thor can support 4 120mm fans.

 

[BrightCandle]

OK its just the 2 GPUs, then you are only talking about 340 Watts. Since its just the GPUs its a "hot loo"p it'll do on a single RS240. Wont win any records but it'll work.

For GPUs you normally want to attach them together with a Phobya extender that is the right length for the distance between your cards, although at 3 slots you could just use some standard barbs and a cut bit of tubing, but it'll be a pain to install.

Ideally go for 7/16" tubing on 1/2" barbs. Its really tight and it reduces leaks, but you do need to be careful if removing it as it takes a bit of force or working to remove it.

You'll also want some hose clips for 7/16" to go with it so you can keep the hose in place.

 

[p_monks33]

It has a 250mm fan blowing right on the cards. Its totally normal for reference cards to run in the 75-85 range. I run three 120hz monitors and 3dvision, so the cards are being worked very hard. My case is very well ventilated as well. My house stays a constant 20c .

 

[Don Karnage]

It has a 250mm fan blowing right on the cards. Its totally normal for reference cards to run in the 75-85 range. I run three 120hz monitors and 3dvision, so the cards are being worked very hard. My case is very well ventilated as well. My house stays a constant 20c .

I have a feeling the stock fan curve is the problem. Go into precision and create a custom fan profile for the cards.

Here is mine. Mimic mine and see how temps are then you can adjust

 

[p_monks33]

Giving your fan profile a try. The fans are loud at 60% . Do yours run at 60% all the time?

 

[p_monks33]

Thats how they look installed in my case. Sorry for the crap cellular pic.

 

[borisvodofsky]

To actually water-cool both 680, you need to drop at least $500. The budget kit you linked to is not enough.

That said, since you're not overclocking, it's a huge waste of money.

 

[p_monks33]

How is it a waste if I want quieter acoustics and want to extend the longevity of my two cards. Money is not an issue.

 

[blackened23]

Water is perfectly fine for quietness but won't really help your OC's much on the 680, but it will prevent the 70C throttle zone. The GPU especially on reference cards will throttle 13mhz / 10mV increments starting at 70C and 80C, so you can prevent that.

If you want something quiet i'd suggest gentle typhoons with a RX360. Your ambient temps will probably be higher from the rad though.

 

[Schmide]

The gist of it is, to maintain 10c air in water out, which is considered average performance (i.e. the point where watercooling is justified) you have basically these variables for 340w of heat and flow above 1gph.

A single rs240 with fans running at 2000rpm.

Two rs240s with fans running at 1000rpm.

The pump seems to be not useless, as shown in this review. About equal to a 655 at half speed. Could be adaquate as if you're not planning to run the cpu block.

If you run that cpu block. I'd get a 655 and run both pumps.

For flow, it really drops off at 0.75gph or less. Anything above 1gph is kind of flat.

 

[Grooveriding]

Your EVGA backplate is not compatible with those EK blocks. If you want backplates for looks (what they are for) you'll need to get the EK backplates for the GTX 680.

That kit is a bad point to start. If you are going custom, plan ahead of time to want to add your CPU to the loop at some point, personally I would do it now, but that is up to you.

If you are set on a kit get the Rasa RX360 kit at a minimum. I don't believe that is what it is called, but it's the rasa kit that has the RX360 radiator. Per fittings and hose, you need to decide what size hose you want to use and buy fittings specific to that hose size. As well you need to decide if you want to use barbs and clamps or compression fittings. Comp. fittings look much nicer and are easier to use, but cost about 5 to 10 fold more.

Hose is measured by inner and outer diameter. Inner being the size of the pathway for the water within the tube and outer the size if the tube its self from edge to edge. Your fittings will have to be of the right size. If you are going barbs, all that matters is that the ID matches the barb size, if you go comp fittings they have to be specific to the ID and OD.

Hose choice is about aesthetics for the most part and ease of putting bends and arcs in your hosing. Performance difference between different sizes is very minimal. I prefer the fat tube and use 1/2" ID, 3/4" OD hosing. I beleive the most common choice is the 3/8" ID, 1/2" OD hosing.

You'll be able to find all this stuff at frozencpu. If you do go with compression fifttings, it's very important to make sure they match the ID and OD sizing of the tubing you use, or else it won't work

EK blocks are nice because you can buy the custom bridges used to attach two cards in SLI, I would definitely go that route. It's relatively inexpensive, you'll need the bridge its self and two adapters to attach to the EK GPU blocks. Maybe $60 for the bridge and adapters.

 

[borisvodofsky]

How is it a waste if I want quieter acoustics and want to extend the longevity of my two cards. Money is not an issue.

Because they'll last more than 5 years without those water blocks.

Longevity is not an issue.

as for Quieter? sigh... if you MUST equate silence is golden to $500

Ok.. but don't make things up to convince yourself into wasting money, because $500 you can get another 680, LOL

 

[p_monks33]

I wish I could find a decent air cooler that would work after hearing all of this lol. I agree 500 bucks is enough to go 3 way sli and have blazing fast performance.

 

[Don Karnage]

Giving your fan profile a try. The fans are loud at 60% . Do yours run at 60% all the time?

Mine is just a template. Try them at 40%.