Kraken G10 bracket question, R9 290

[zoolzoo]

Im looking to mod a R9 290 with the Kraken G10 bracket and a Kraken X40 liquid cooler.

Here is the link to the G10: http://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/138-kraken-g10-gpu-bracket.html

My question and concern is....

The product site claims the fan is to cool the VRMs. Im not sure that it is up to this duty on its own without heatsinks installed (but I could be wrong...). Does this unit leave enough space to install all the heatsinks on the 290's VRMs? I cant tell from the pictures at all. Does anyone have any experience with this unit?

Thanks in advance

 

[Face2Face]

The NZXT OCN rep states they have tested this setup on a R9 290 without heatsinks on the vrm and they stay fairly cool. He stated they did a lot of testing and that it's ok not to have any heatsinks installed. However, I wouldn't attempt overclocking too much, because vrm temps will be the limiting factor.

There is plenty of clearance for vrm and memory heatsinks if you want to install them. If you do plan on installing a heatsink on the vrm, then I would recommend using zip ties or something to apply pressure on them to extract the heat more efficiency.

 

[Z15CAM]

Do not purchase the G10 with the intentions of OC'g the Reference R9 290 because the Reference Fan although a Screamer does cool the VRM's rather efficiently and will OC higher then the G10. The only better solution for OC'g is to use a Full GPU Water Block from either EK or XSPC.

The G10 will no doubt be quiet but don't expect any more then say a 1130/1300 Mhz clock with at most a +100 mv off-set before the VRM's over heat.

You have 2 VRM's ahead of the GPU and a Row of them behind the GPU to cool.

 

[zoolzoo]

Thanks for the replies.

I think the G10 is a neat solution, but in the end not really worth the money if it introduces new limits to what I can do with the 290. I am interested in OC'ing of course.

I think Ill either wait for non-ref coolers, or maybe even go with a full water block. At least if I invest into a self built liquid system I could easily run a block to my cpu as well. This block from Koolance looks pretty nice: http://www.tomshardware.com/news/koolance-water-vid-ar290x-amd-cooling,25059.html

 

[Z15CAM]

Be wary of the Koolance WB design, I don't believe it Actively Water Cools the Rear VRM's and looks to be Passive to me. Look at either the EK-FC or the XSPC Razor ;o)

XSPC openly displays what's under the Rear Stainless Plate exposing their design on how they Actively water Cool the Rear VRMs. I've yet to find a PIC displaying how EK does it as I can't find a PIC with the rear Plate Off their model but I'd be surprised if their solution was not identical to XSPC's design.