Best waterblock for 7970?

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Creepin_D

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I'm considering water cooling my reference 7970, but cannot decide on which water block to get. I have 4 options from my favourite compter part supplier:

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=69675&vpn=3831109856703&manufacture=EK Water Blocks

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=67629&vpn=VID-AR797&manufacture=Koolance

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=71831&vpn=KOMODO-HD7970&manufacture=Swiftech&promoid=1294

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=78059&vpn=5060175583574&manufacture=XSPC Asia Co. Ltd.&promoid=1198

There are my 4 options. Is it one of those situations where you get what you pay for??
 
Not always. They're all very close in terms of performance, so I would pick whichever one looks better. Except EK. Avoid EK at all costs.
 
i have the koolance one, been running for about a month now. It works pretty well with active VRM cooling also.
 
I end up ordering two XSPC Razor water blocks....this is my first time water cooling video cards..so i'm kind of excited lol
 
Creepin_D said:
I end up ordering two XSPC Razor water blocks....this is my first time water cooling video cards..so i'm kind of excited lol
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The new version?

I would cancel the order quick before the blocks ship and go with something better designed with active VRM cooling for your HD7970s.


Heatkiller is great.
 
The more I read up on XSPC the more I agree with you. I think I will go ahead and cancel the order
 
Tsumi said:
Not always. They're all very close in terms of performance, so I would pick whichever one looks better. Except EK. Avoid EK at all costs.
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I would only avoid EK nickel plated products. While they say things are better now, I'm pretty wary (had 2 580 nickel blocks corrode on me).
 
Not sure how the new EK design compares to the 1st gen design.

Here is good revies on a number of HD7970 blocks.

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1692311

Since the review came out EK has changed design and XSPC has revised their design as well.

EK has good flow on original design.
 
Is it a big deal if the voltage controllers are cooled passively? I can get a really good deal on 2 XSPC.
 
Go With Heatkiller Blocks there are great and you said you are looking for the best so there you go.
 
Creepin_D said:
Is it a big deal if the voltage controllers are cooled passively? I can get a really good deal on 2 XSPC.
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On which version of the block can you get a good deal?

I have heat killer and the new version of the XSPC. Only reason I bought the XSPC is because I can work with it for modding for my HD 7950 Vapor X.


I am in the process of doing some tests with each of these blocks. Should have some hard numbers on performance for both of them soon.

You can follow my tests here: http://www.overclock.net/t/1366829/...or-hd-7970-full-coverage-vga-block-new-design

VRM cooling is very important on HD7970 cards since the VRMs get so hot.
 
Thanks, I look forward to your results.

I can get a deal on the new version of the XSPC. I think I will give X-Fire a try before I go ahead and get any type of liquid cooling. If I'm not pleased with the result of x-fire then I will not bother spending the coin of the blocks.

Thanks


SonDa5 said:
On which version of the block can you get a good deal?

I have heat killer and the new version of the XSPC. Only reason I bought the XSPC is because I can work with it for modding for my HD 7950 Vapor X.


I am in the process of doing some tests with each of these blocks. Should have some hard numbers on performance for both of them soon.

You can follow my tests here: http://www.overclock.net/t/1366829/...or-hd-7970-full-coverage-vga-block-new-design

VRM cooling is very important on HD7970 cards since the VRMs get so hot.
Click to expand...
 
Love my Heatkiller blocks. Even running furmark for extended periods of time doesn't heat the cards up much. Takes about 10 minutes to reach 40C on the cores.

The only problem that I noticed is availability. I was thinking of adding a third card, but, last I checked, vendors were out of stock.
 
Ive got the heatkiller, and its been running for a while now.

(1) Easy install
(2) Good temps
(3) Im cranking thru more voltage for higher clocks .... and its stable
(4) It looks good


Just my 2c
 
I've got two Watercool GPU-X³ 79X0 Ni-Bl + two GPU Backplate 79X0 coming my way today/tomorrow and I only need one (received a transaction error message when placing my order so I tried again and lucky me both orders where successfully processed).

I'll probably refuse shipment for one of them... Unless I can find a "cheap" reference card. :D

Nice to know I made what appears to be the right choice of cooler!
 
I picked up my the cooler and backplate at UPS this morning and damn it looks good! Hopefully it will cool as good as it looks. My only concern is the weight: 1 Kilogram for the cooler + 250 Grams for the backplate. :eek:
 
They're still a shit company, watercool or aquacomputer actually put out quality products and deserve the support.
 
DarkStryke said:
They're still a shit company, watercool or aquacomputer actually put out quality products and deserve the support.
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I have actually received excellent customer service from them on a problem I had with a reservoir. I have seen problems with their nickel plated blocks and those are the ones I would stay away from. The all copper EK HD7970 blocks look very well designed and are priced decently.


If you want the best I would go for Heatkiller. I have a heatkiller HD7970 block which is great quality and works great.
 
SonDa5 said:
I am in the process of doing some tests with each of these blocks. Should have some hard numbers on performance for both of them soon.

You can follow my tests here: http://www.overclock.net/t/1366829/...or-hd-7970-full-coverage-vga-block-new-design
Click to expand...


I finally completed my tests for the heatkiller and new XSPC HD7970 razer block and the heat killer took the win. It was close but HK got the win for having much better VRM temps.

Full details with photos at link above.
 
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