Deshrouding a EVGA XC3 3080 - Advice Please

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"Warning!Some AMD X570 chipset motherboards may need a BIOS update prior to using Vermeer CPUs. Upgrading the BIOS may require a different CPU that is supported by older BIOS revisions".

CPU Issue. Need to update the BIOS.
 
Typed your components into PCPartpicker, Got warnings
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/#compatibility_notes

"Warning!Some AMD X570 chipset motherboards may need a BIOS update prior to using Vermeer CPUs. Upgrading the BIOS may require a different CPU that is supported by older BIOS revisions".

CPU Issue. Need to update the BIOS.
Thank you bud.

Why would this set off the RAM warning light and not the CPU light?
 
My Power supply is brand new Corsair Platinum 600 (750 was out of stock)

Whoa...That may be too low, with a 105w CPU and a 3080. I think a 550 or 600W PS is the minimum for that Graphics card.

About the RAM, I may have miss spoke, that's could be the CPU light, check your manual.


I would strongly suggest getting a 800W minimum power supply before going forward. If that doesn't work and you live near a Microcenter, I've heard they can loan you a CPU or give you one in store so that you can update your BIOS for your new CPU.
 
Whoa...That may be too low, with a 105w CPU and a 3080. I think a 550 or 600W PS is the minimum for that Graphics card.

About the RAM, I may have miss spoke, that's could be the CPU light, check your manual.


I would strongly suggest getting a 800W minimum power supply before going forward. If that doesn't work and you live near a Microcenter, I've heard they can loan you a CPU or give you one in store so that you can update your BIOS for your new CPU.
I have confirmed the Power supply is sufficient.

Thanks for all the help
 
Make them both intake. Your rear and top fans in your case will handle the outflowing air.
Yeah intake/push is the way to go. Not only will the cool air be beneficial for the GPU over extended use: fans are louder when they exhaust/pull, with their back directly against a heatsink. Do some testing and you will see.

I recommend dual 140mm fans, if you can fit them. I've got a single 140mm on my rtx 2060 and it cools better than two 90mm or a 120mm + 90mm (heatsink isn't long enough for two 120mm). Its also quieter.
I also put liquid metal on there. But, I'm an advanced hardware user. So it didn't bother me. I wouldn't recommend liquid metal until you are more familiar and comfortable with PC building.

Yeah to get your bios updated, you can either try a local service. Geeksquad at Bestbuy might do it. Otherwise, AMD usually has a mail service where they send you a loaner cpu. Otherwise, you are probably looking at $50-$80 to buy a used ryzen on ebay or something.

**also, someone on the forum may be willing to setup a loaner through the mail. I would, but I don't have any ryzen stuff :(
 
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Yeah intake/push is the way to go. Not only will the cool air be beneficial for the GPU over extended use: fans are louder when they exhaust/pull, with their back directly against a heatsink. Do some testing and you will see.

I recommend dual 140mm fans, if you can fit them. I've got a single 140mm on my rtx 2060 and it cools better than two 90mm or a 120mm + 90mm (heatsink isn't long enough for two 120mm). Its also quieter.
I also put liquid metal on there. But, I'm an advanced hardware user. So it didn't bother me. I wouldn't recommend liquid metal until you are more familiar and comfortable with PC building.

Yeah to get your bios updated, you can either try a local service. Geeksquad at Bestbuy might do it. Otherwise, AMD usually has a mail service where they send you a loaner cpu. Otherwise, you are probably looking at $50-$80 to buy a used ryzen on ebay or something.

**also, someone on the forum may be willing to setup a loaner through the mail. I would, but I don't have any ryzen stuff :(
Thank you for all the help.

I am going intake on cpu and gpu.

Trying to source a cpu to update the bios now. I hope that's the issue at not a hardware fault.
 
Does your local computer store have a service department? mine said if i can't update the bios myself when it all comes together they will for 30 bucks.
Unfortunately its full lockdown here in London
 
I have confirmed the Power supply is sufficient.

Thanks for all the help
For a 3090? The hell it is...

Edit: Oh, it's a 3080. Maybe that's good enough. I'd go bigger, though. I have a power supply here that reliably kills graphics cards. No way I'd chance it on a card as difficult to replace as a 3080.
 
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Typed your components into PCPartpicker, Got warnings
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/#compatibility_notes

"Warning!Some AMD X570 chipset motherboards may need a BIOS update prior to using Vermeer CPUs. Upgrading the BIOS may require a different CPU that is supported by older BIOS revisions".

CPU Issue. Need to update the BIOS.

Does your local computer store have a service department? mine said if i can't update the bios myself when it all comes together they will for 30 bucks.

Yeah intake/push is the way to go. Not only will the cool air be beneficial for the GPU over extended use: fans are louder when they exhaust/pull, with their back directly against a heatsink. Do some testing and you will see.

I recommend dual 140mm fans, if you can fit them. I've got a single 140mm on my rtx 2060 and it cools better than two 90mm or a 120mm + 90mm (heatsink isn't long enough for two 120mm). Its also quieter.
I also put liquid metal on there. But, I'm an advanced hardware user. So it didn't bother me. I wouldn't recommend liquid metal until you are more familiar and comfortable with PC building.

Yeah to get your bios updated, you can either try a local service. Geeksquad at Bestbuy might do it. Otherwise, AMD usually has a mail service where they send you a loaner cpu. Otherwise, you are probably looking at $50-$80 to buy a used ryzen on ebay or something.

**also, someone on the forum may be willing to setup a loaner through the mail. I would, but I don't have any ryzen stuff :(
IT WAS THE BIOS!!!!

All working fine now.

Now I get to start tweaking.

I also removed the fans on the gou but left the shroud as the shroud buts nicely against the Nocturn and functions like a duct. This also saves me from using the dremel.
20201121_001808.jpg
20201121_001023.jpg

20201121_190449.jpg

Thermals shortly.
 
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IT WAS THE BIOS!!!!

All working fine now.

Now I get to start tweaking.

I also removed the fans on the gou but left the shroud as the shroud buts nicely against the Nocturn and functions like a duct. This also saves me from using the dremel.
View attachment 301599View attachment 301600
View attachment 301605
Thermals shortly.
The thermals may be fine like that. but they would definitely be better with the fans right up against the heatsink.
 
The thermals may be fine like that. but they would definitely be better with the fans right up against the heatsink.
Yes but that would require taking a dremel to the heatsink which I prefer not to do. This was I can still sell the card on when the 3080ti or similar is released.
 
IT WAS THE BIOS!!!!

All working fine now.

Now I get to start tweaking.

I also removed the fans on the gou but left the shroud as the shroud buts nicely against the Nocturn and functions like a duct. This also saves me from using the dremel.
View attachment 301599View attachment 301600
View attachment 301605
Thermals shortly.
Oh hell yeah!

Glad you got it all sorted out, Looks awesome man! Nice to see you went with those fans. They are great!


Let us know how the temps are.
 
Any advice on the best applications for setting franchise profiles etc and monitoring temps etc?

I have my cpu fans on the cpu header and the gpu on the aio header on the strix 570-i
 
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MSI afterburner and GPUZ are both good tools to monitor temps
I guess what has me confused is that I don't have my gpu fans connected to the cpu they are connected to the aio header on the motherboard. Therefore I don't know how to best set a profile for it.
 
I guess what has me confused is that I don't have my gpu fans connected to the cpu they are connected to the aio header on the motherboard. Therefore I don't know how to best set a profile for it.

I would just set it up in the BIOS. Fan speed according to temp.
 
Why not use RGB fans? :D

Anyways, as an option without ghetto blasting the card; leave the card alone and just stack fans on top of the card fans, make a fan holder that sits on top of the current fans. Double the blast and of course make then all RGB. :)
 
Looks good man post some temps and RPM.
What are the noise levels?


Also anyone know if you plug only 1 fan header in will the card still power that 1 fan?
 
Looks good man post some temps and RPM.
What are the noise levels?


Also anyone know if you plug only 1 fan header in will the card still power that 1 fan?
The fans are plugged into the mobo not the gpu. I've done this mod on many different GPUs and it's often quieter than stock and a little better cooling-wise. Not sure why OP is doing it when he has space constraints in his case.
 
The fans are plugged into the mobo not the gpu. I've done this mod on many different GPUs and it's often quieter than stock and a little better cooling-wise. Not sure why OP is doing it when he has space constraints in his case.

I'm not sure why he did it in the first place. The stock cooler on the card he has is fine.
 
I'm not sure why he did it in the first place. The stock cooler on the card he has is fine.
Me either. He clearly hasn't done it before. It works best if you have a temp monitor near the pci-e x16 slot or a temp probe that some boards include to make a good custom fan curve.
 
Well I personally would plug it into the card using one of those.
https://www.amazon.com/Phobya-PWM-Adapter-Graphics-Cards/dp/B01EUZD854
And then use a molex power and PWM control splitter to power the fans from the PSU and use control signal from GPU....
Or just make a custom cable at that point....
I am only unsure if the card would run properly if only one header is plugged in.

MOBO BIOS fan control is not great usually better let the card handle it.

A nice fan controller with thermal probes might be good like the aquaero it can even take gpu temp input directly and runs independent of suftware, but I still think that letting the card handle the fan curve is best.


I understand the OP water cooling is a hassle and GPU fans are always the weakest link and also not the best quality.....
I question his decision to leave the shroud on. But this makes me even more curios how the temps look and how loud it runs.
 
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OP probably would’ve had the same or better results keeping the stock GPU fans on and keeping the Noctua fans below it directly blowing fresh air into the GPU fans. Keeping the shroud on and having that space between the heatsink and Noctua fans leads me to believe the heatsink won’t properly get the heat removed from it.

I got the 3090 XC3 Ultra and admit the stock cooler leaves a bit to be desired. Especially since it’s the same cooler as on the 3080 but cooling the 3090 which is an even higher TDP card. At stock it spins up to 75% RPM and temps hover between 70-75°C during benchmarking. The card at 75% fan RPM is louder than the rest of my PC (currently in my second PC that is air cooled). But interestingly enough it performs nearly the same in thermals and acoustics as my 1080 Ti FTW3 did when it was air cooled.

But instead of ghetto modding it; I preordered the Heatkiller V waterblock for it that will arrive mid-January. $225 shipped from Germany, but it’ll actually be dead silent and significantly cooler.
 
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Yea water cooling can be great.
And if you already have the rest of the parts it is not that expensive.
All in one water could be an option but it is expensive and actually not that good usually.

But custom water cooling is a hobby takes time and effort to keep running.


GPU heatsinks got so huge that the manufacturers should go the way of CPU coolers and let us use our own fans.
 
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Hi,

I saw your modded EVGA RTX 3080 while searching for Noctua Mods for mine, I really like your idea with keeping the original shroud. Do you have some Info about temperatures and noise level by now? I want to mod mine mainly because of the noise of the stock fans, they sound like jet engines when gaming. Even with enough airflow in my case.
I did mod my old GTX 1080 with 2x Noctua NF-S12A fans and that card stayed super quiet and reasonable cool while gaming.

unfortunately I came upon the same issues with the metal tabs on the cooler itself. My fans wont fit without modifying the cooler, which I'm not brave enough to do.

BUT I am quite handy with CAD and designed a new shroud for the card to fit 2x120mm fans with the original shroud mounting holes/screws. Theoretically the airflow to the actual cooler should be better, and maybe the overall height is even slimmer. The walls are just 2mm thick and should be a bit less than the wavy shroud design from EVGA
I will try it myself, once i get back in the office mid/late January (thanks covid!) and have access to a 3D-printer. But if someone has a 3D-printer at home and wants to try it out for fitment here is a link to the files: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4700643

I did upload a mockup-model of the stock card/cooler with measurements of my card which can be used to design your own shroud if you like. But be aware I only measured the main mounting tabs and the general shape of the cooler, there are some more mounting and cable routing tabs on the cooler which i did not bother to measure, which could interfere with designs using the inner space of the cooler.


Explosion with Case Fans.PNG
Shroud on Card.PNG
 
IT WAS THE BIOS!!!!

All working fine now.

Now I get to start tweaking.

I also removed the fans on the gou but left the shroud as the shroud buts nicely against the Nocturn and functions like a duct. This also saves me from using the dremel.
View attachment 301599View attachment 301600
View attachment 301605
Thermals shortly.
Would you mind following up on this? I have this card but hate the fans also. Looking to make it more quiet, hopefully cooler.
 
Hi,

I saw your modded EVGA RTX 3080 while searching for Noctua Mods for mine, I really like your idea with keeping the original shroud. Do you have some Info about temperatures and noise level by now? I want to mod mine mainly because of the noise of the stock fans, they sound like jet engines when gaming. Even with enough airflow in my case.
I did mod my old GTX 1080 with 2x Noctua NF-S12A fans and that card stayed super quiet and reasonable cool while gaming.

unfortunately I came upon the same issues with the metal tabs on the cooler itself. My fans wont fit without modifying the cooler, which I'm not brave enough to do.

BUT I am quite handy with CAD and designed a new shroud for the card to fit 2x120mm fans with the original shroud mounting holes/screws. Theoretically the airflow to the actual cooler should be better, and maybe the overall height is even slimmer. The walls are just 2mm thick and should be a bit less than the wavy shroud design from EVGA
I will try it myself, once i get back in the office mid/late January (thanks covid!) and have access to a 3D-printer. But if someone has a 3D-printer at home and wants to try it out for fitment here is a link to the files: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4700643

I did upload a mockup-model of the stock card/cooler with measurements of my card which can be used to design your own shroud if you like. But be aware I only measured the main mounting tabs and the general shape of the cooler, there are some more mounting and cable routing tabs on the cooler which i did not bother to measure, which could interfere with designs using the inner space of the cooler.


View attachment 314061
View attachment 314062



I finally got to printing my shroud, and tried it on the card. It does fit on my card pretty good, the boltholes line up (some variation due to printing tolerances) and the fans fit with the noctua rubber anti-vibration mounts.


IMG_1900.JPEG
IMG_1908.JPEG
IMG_1906.JPEG
IMG_1912.JPEG

Right now I'm using NF-S12A-FLX on there, which are not optimal. I have ordered a pair of NF-A12x25 PWM for more static pressure. Right now my clock speeds and temps under load are about the same as with the standard fans, maybe just a litte bit worse, but much less noise (Standard fans run at 2000RPM on full load with my custom low noise fan profile. These noctuas cool the card just as well with just 1200 RPM, so they are much quieter).
Idle temps dropped a lot (~45 °C ⇾ ~30 °C), since I can run the Noctua fans on 600 RPM all the time without noticing.

I control the fan speeds with a free software "Fan Control" from within windows.


So for anyone wondering: It does fit and work! The overall height of the mod should be a bit less than what kill8r showed since the original shroud is a waved and the fans won't fit flush to the mounting tabs. Unfortunately I had to loosen and remount the whole cooler since the connector for the RGB EVGA-nameplate on the shroud plugs in under a heatpipe, and you can't really disconnect it without loosening the whole cooler. I used the opportunity to change the thermal paste. The original paste is pretty dry and hard, maybe some idle temp changes come from changing the paste.
 
Just get this and call it a day:

https://www.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=400-HY-1978-B1

Mine showed up today! I plan to install it as soon as my 5900x arrives. Good times ahead.
I installed that on my 3080 a few weeks ago. Works quite well. It's pretty amazing how hot the radiator is to the touch, even at idle. The fans work fine with afterburner. A custom curve does allow the fans to shut off even though afterburner shows 30% fan speed.
 
I installed that on my 3080 a few weeks ago. Works quite well. It's pretty amazing how hot the radiator is to the touch, even at idle. The fans work fine with afterburner. A custom curve does allow the fans to shut off even though afterburner shows 30% fan speed.
Yeah I really has kept my 3090 quite cool. Playing Cyberpunk 2077 at 4k, the GPU is pegged at 99% and with all fan speeds at 45%, the temp stays around 58-60c. I did switch out the EVGA fans with some Noctua ones. It could be what is really helping.

Either way was a darn good investment.
 
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Yeah I really has kept my 3090 quite cool. Playing Cyberpunk 2077 at 4k, the GPU is pegged at 99% and with all fan speeds at 45%, the temp stays around 58-60c. I did switch out the EVGA fans with some Noctua ones. It could be what is really helping.

Either way was a darn good investment.
For sure. I get similar results with my 3080 when cranked to the max with ~350w dumped into the radiator (needs mo powah). I set the fan speed at 50% under load, with temp ~65c, and the noise seems noticeably less than the stock fans. Interesting idea to swap out the fans, but for my setup I don't think I'd gain much. I'm a big fan of AIOs in general. Easy to use and nice performance.

If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.

ed- I just ran precision and it updated the bios to 94.02.26.40.CC. Apparently there's a hybrid bios. I'm confused by the whole thing. Apparently the power limit was increased to 400w, but I'm not seeing that. It's still maxed at 350.
 
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