Best midrange upgrade path for water coolers?

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doug_7506

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Curious as to what everyone's thoughts are for water coolers who only buy nvidia and upgrade pretty regularly.

So the three main factors I am looking at are waterblock cost and resale value, gpu cost and resale value, and depreciation period (how many cycles should I hold card).

I'm thinking it would be buying last gen max card and a used waterblock. The thought being is that waterblock a tank 50% in a year but are pretty much worthless after that (maybe 10-15% of original value). Also last gen GPUs are usually pretty cheap. I.e. 980tis selling for 300-325 now.

I would imagine in 18 months the 980ti and block would be worth about $200 tops. I paid 350 for 980ti and block. So assuming I could grab a 1080ti and block in 18 months for the same price, it seems to be a value sweet spot. The 970 to 1070 argument is a good one, but if you take into consideration a new block for the 1070 I think it looses out. Also, the TI card usually uses the titan waterblock. And since this comes out months before the TI card, they are usually prettty cheap.
 
doug_7506 said:
Curious as to what everyone's thoughts are for water coolers who only buy nvidia and upgrade pretty regularly.

So the three main factors I am looking at are waterblock cost and resale value, gpu cost and resale value, and depreciation period (how many cycles should I hold card).

I'm thinking it would be buying last gen max card and a used waterblock. The thought being is that waterblock a tank 50% in a year but are pretty much worthless after that (maybe 10-15% of original value). Also last gen GPUs are usually pretty cheap. I.e. 980tis selling for 300-325 now.

I would imagine in 18 months the 980ti and block would be worth about $200 tops. I paid 350 for 980ti and block. So assuming I could grab a 1080ti and block in 18 months for the same price, it seems to be a value sweet spot. The 970 to 1070 argument is a good one, but if you take into consideration a new block for the 1070 I think it looses out. Also, the TI card usually uses the titan waterblock. And since this comes out months before the TI card, they are usually prettty cheap.
Click to expand...

If you're concerned about cost, I wouldn't go the way of a full waterblock. I would go with something like this, or use universal GPU blocks + VRM/VRAM heatsinks + a side panel fan:


There's no reason to buy previous gen on cost savings, either. You can probably pick up a 1070 for a little bit more, and that's gonna last you longer than the 980Ti.
 
I went with a EK Supremacy VGA universal water block and it fits under the shroud on a 980ti with the ref. cooler. I did have to increase the hole by 1mm on the main plate for the cooler to fit, but other than that it's great.
Or just use self adhesive heatsinks and a universal waterblock. That's the cheapest way. They cost less and can be reused.
 
I've been down the hybrid road. Inwasndoing the hybrid before any manufacture had a bracket or hybrid cooler. I like the hybrid setup but I like the look to much of my water cooling setup.

Really just seeing if there is another angle out there that I'm missing.
 
A Kraken G10 bracket with a Kraken X41 (X42 is the newer model) AIO water cooler that's 140MM with a 6 year warranty is the bomb diggity.

It kept both my 980 Ti cards below 45C at 1500MHz and 1550MHz respectively, and later my 1080 below 35C @2202/5557MHz, max temps. I do have two high static pressure fans in push/pull for better cooling.

I expect when I finally get my Upgrade Program EVGA 1080 iCX and step up to the 1080 Ti (thanks for the step-up window reset EVGA!) that it will also max out at about 45C.

I do have to remove the mid plates since my X41 does have fitting issues if it is left on, and I didn't replace the bracket screws with longer versions so I also typically remove the backplate as well.
 
doug_7506 said:
I've been down the hybrid road. Inwasndoing the hybrid before any manufacture had a bracket or hybrid cooler. I like the hybrid setup but I like the look to much of my water cooling setup.

Really just seeing if there is another angle out there that I'm missing.
Click to expand...

Maybe time for universal blocks? That and a couple of VRAM/VRM heatsinks and thermal pad strips and you're good to go.

http://www.xtremerigs.net/2014/11/18/2014-universal-gpu-block-roundup/7/

Something like this would also work as well. Even has a small loop for the VRMs.
 
trandoanhung1991 said:
Maybe time for universal blocks? That and a couple of VRAM/VRM heatsinks and thermal pad strips and you're good to go.

http://www.xtremerigs.net/2014/11/18/2014-universal-gpu-block-roundup/7/

Something like this would also work as well. Even has a small loop for the VRMs.
Click to expand...

A universal block would be the option. I am guessing the argument for a universal block would be the ability to buy newest gen tech (i.e. 1070) and pair it with the universal block at a cost and performance similar to what I am doing now.

Looks like a 980ti with waterblock is currently selling for approximately $350. A 1070 has been ranging from 350-375.

The only thing that worries me about the 1070 route was how much my 970 tanked. My 970 with block only sold for $175.
 
trandoanhung1991 said:
If you're concerned about cost, I wouldn't go the way of a full waterblock. I would go with something like this, or use universal GPU blocks + VRM/VRAM heatsinks + a side panel fan:


There's no reason to buy previous gen on cost savings, either. You can probably pick up a 1070 for a little bit more, and that's gonna last you longer than the 980Ti.
Click to expand...



Good thing I smeared my thermal paste with a guitar pick I think I have enough on my card when I took it apart today looks like the same ammount as when I took it apart.
Thermal paste job didn't do anything to the temps with the fan still at 84 C at full load.
 
arestavo said:
A Kraken G10 bracket with a Kraken X41 (X42 is the newer model) AIO water cooler that's 140MM with a 6 year warranty is the bomb diggity.

It kept both my 980 Ti cards below 45C at 1500MHz and 1550MHz respectively, and later my 1080 below 35C @2202/5557MHz, max temps. I do have two high static pressure fans in push/pull for better cooling.

I expect when I finally get my Upgrade Program EVGA 1080 iCX and step up to the 1080 Ti (thanks for the step-up window reset EVGA!) that it will also max out at about 45C.

I do have to remove the mid plates since my X41 does have fitting issues if it is left on, and I didn't replace the bracket screws with longer versions so I also typically remove the backplate as well.
Click to expand...
Don't know how you get those temps as my 980ti with a h75 and a vardar at some 1200rpm sits at 70 degrees. No OC. Maybe the aio is too small... Had push/pull with similar temps. The whole aio gets crazy hot.
 
Koween said:
Don't know how you get those temps as my 980ti with a h75 and a vardar at some 1200rpm sits at 70 degrees. No OC. Maybe the aio is too small... Had push/pull with similar temps. The whole aio gets crazy hot.
Click to expand...
The X41 is 36mm thick, the H75 is 25mm, the X41 is a 140mm radiator, the H75 is a 120mm.

Also, I run my (expensive but near silent) eLoop fans at 100% as well as the pump. Specifics in the link in my signature.

I had a Corsair H55 with two eLoop 120mm fans (also run at 100%) originally on a 980 Ti. Average temps were about 55C.
 
arestavo said:
The X41 is 36mm thick, the H75 is 25mm, the X41 is a 140mm radiator, the H75 is a 120mm.

Also, I run my (expensive but near silent) eLoop fans at 100% as well as the pump. Specifics in the link in my signature.

I had a Corsair H55 with two eLoop 120mm fans (also run at 100%) originally on a 980 Ti. Average temps were about 55C.
Click to expand...
Then my aio is undersized. I doubt that a difference between those fans would amount to such differences in temps.
 
I have a G10 + H55 setup on a MSI 980 Ti and my temps are typically around 55-60 around 1500 core clock and I'm not sure if the fans even run at full blast.
 
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