Making a 7970 Reference

[MikeTheOven]

So i have 2x 7970 Sapphire Dual X OC editions with EK supremacy waterblocks (the universal kinds). I really want full WBs for my cards. For overclocking and VRM cooling. Anyway, here are my cards and why the block wont fit:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1321606/sapphire-7970-oc-v2-is-not-reference

Basically just 2 capacitors bocking the area which would've been covered by a full cover WB. Well, that and there is another choke on the other side, which i doubt has any difference.

Anyway, is it possible i unsolder the 2 capacitors and RESOLDER them on the other side? on the back of the gpu? I had a look, there is A LOT of space around them so they wouldnt interfere with anything else.

Reference PCB: https://www.google.si/search?q=heat...nce.com%2Fhelp-video-card-pcb-layouts;800;401

Is this a possibility and is it advisable?

Thanks guys!

 

[Araxie]

completely possible, but you have to have a lot of soldering skills to do that, because of the PCB layers, generally to that the best would be pass to tiny isolated cables to the back of the card and sold weld the capacitors to the cables so you will avoid any unwanted contact with the Tin in the front of the card..

 

[primetime]

show some pics if you do it...looks like a cool as mod

 

[MikeTheOven]

So I'll definetely try it, but when we have the holidays, since I don't have much time otherwise...
Anyway, do you guys see any OTHER difference between a reference and non reference card?
Here's a pic of both:

I also colored the part where the non ref. card has an ADDITIONAL screw hole... But this isn't a problem right?
Don't get me wrong, just dont wanna spend $250 for waterblocks to see they don't even fit after a risky mod!

Thanks a bunch, guys!