Best video card (AMD or NVIDIA) for AIO cooling

[bagelnagel]

So I'm in the process of planning out my next major build and I saw that there now exists the possibility of using an AIO cooling unit (i.e. H60) to cool video cards. I'm interested in this for noise reasons... and why not? Also, if I decide to really splurge and build a HTPC outside of my main rig, I believe that AIO cooling would be beneficial in a smaller enclosure. So, to get more knowledge, I'm turning to the big [H]:

Anyone have this setup? Any advice, warnings? Looking back, do you think you would do it again?

Which card would you recommend using? I would like to either get a 7970 or 680, as this would be a setup that I'd have for at least 2-3 years. Since I'm going to be taking off the coolers that comes with the card, I wouldn't need any Vapor-X/DCII frills. That could change which card is recommended.

If I'm operating under any incorrect assumptions, please, by all means, correct my ignorant self! Thank you in advance!

 

[Carbonblk46]

Get a 680 Classified i have one and cant complain at all runs all games I have. Currently waiting for the bracket to fit a H60

 

[IdiotInCharge]

I'd love to help you here- but you're going to have to do more research on your own so we know where to start. How big of a system do you want? What enclosure? How do you plan on attaching the AIO radiator, and are you going to use one on the CPU too? Are you aware that these coolers do not take into account the need for cooling GPU VRMs, and how do you plan to mitigate that deficiency? Etc.

 

[doug_7506]

I've done the mod to an EVGA gtx 670 ftw and it was great. http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1702665&highlight=success

I just recently traded the 670 for 2 x 7950s and im waiting for the parts to do it to both of them.

I did it for the same reasons: wanted quiet sound + good OC headroom.

Theoretically you are going to want a card that allows great oc'ability, but in the end its pretty much a chip lottery. Buying classified or ftw version IMO does help since you get a little more tweaking.

Here is the guy that makes the brackets: http://triptcc.com/

Here is the thread for people that have done it to AMD cards:http://www.overclock.net/t/1203636/official-amd-ati-gpu-mod-club-aka-the-red-mod
*note: if you do it to an AMD card you will need a shim to put between the cooler and the chip that can be bought from tripp

Here is the thread for people that have done it to Nvidia cards: http://www.overclock.net/t/1203528/official-nvidia-gpu-mod-club-aka-the-mod

As noted by incharge, you will need to supply cooling for the VRM and memory chips.

On my 670 I did not put anything on the memory chips but did have a 90mm fan blowing on the VRM. This was sufficient for the 670. (Tripp sells the brackets with the mounting holes for a 90mm fan)

I'm not sure if ill put heatsinks on the 7950s, but i'll likely will.
types of heat sinks:
http://www.amazon.com/Cosmos-Copper...8&qid=1366684844&sr=8-1&keywords=ram+heatsink
or
http://www.swiftech.com/mc800smccoolingkit.aspx

If you do apply the heatsinks that stick to your card you may void your warranty. So be careful and be aware of the risks.

Finally, if you want to control your fans with programs like precision x or afterburner you'll need an adapter and PWM fans. I went with noctua fans and vga to pwm adapter. Works great. http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1..._PWM_Fan_Adapter_for_VGA_Cards_CA-PWM-02.html

Off the top of my head that should be everything you need to get you started.

Good luck.

 

[bagelnagel]

I'd love to help you here- but you're going to have to do more research on your own so we know where to start. How big of a system do you want? What enclosure? How do you plan on attaching the AIO radiator, and are you going to use one on the CPU too? Are you aware that these coolers do not take into account the need for cooling GPU VRMs, and how do you plan to mitigate that deficiency? Etc.

I'm looking either at Fractal R4 or Corsair C70/600T - if Corsair comes out with an ATX-sized case that is on par with the new 900D or 350D then I would be interested in that.

As doug_7506 mentioned, I do know that there are brackets that can be used for this. I remember seeing a thread at overclock regarding this. I do plan on using one for CPU - most likely have a H100 for the CPU, mounted to expel air out from the top, and have the GPU expel air from the rear. Get air from the front intake.