Active or passive backplate; does it matter?

[SAFX1]

I'm building a custom loop for Sapphire 295x2, want to know if active backplates are worth the extra cost. Most backplates are passive, but some like Aquacomputer's Vesuvius, offer both passive and active:
Aqua Computer Announces Radeon R9 295X2 Full Cover Block

I could not find performance benchmarks detailing the differences.

 

[pendragon1]

Found this it's for a 290x but it'll give you an idea. http://www.xtremerigs.net/2014/08/11/aquacomputer-kryographics-hawaii-review/

 

[SAFX1]

Found this it's for a 290x but it'll give you an idea. http://www.xtremerigs.net/2014/08/11/aquacomputer-kryographics-hawaii-review/

Awesome link, thank you! (rethinking original plans for XSPC cooling )

 

[horrorshow]

Active backplate?

Very cool.

 

[Momo]

worth it is completely up to you and your dollars.

Bottom line is that the backplate is going to pull some more heat from the GPU and PCB.

I wager that the difference is marginal at best, however for you a degree or two might make all the difference.

 

[Vellinious]

If you're going to really push the overclocks, then the active backplate is worth it to help keep the VRM cool. If you're not really going to be pushing the card to it's limits, then the passive backplate is just fine.

I love the Kryographics blocks. I have one on my XFX 8GB 290X. They machined it so perfectly, it doesn't use pads between the block and memory, it uses paste. Gotta love them German engineers.

 

[defaultluser]

For a single card sucking down 500w by itself, I'd take any edge I could get cooling things.