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Water block recommendations

A

allen5055

[H]ard|Gawd
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Mar 25, 2012
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I just bought a few XFX reference r9 290s. Any recommendations for a waterblock? People mentioned that the xspc has better vrm cooling but I don't understand why.

I will crossfire either three or four cards. I want to use a sli flow bridge. I kind of like how the xspc model let's me individually connect cards since I may start with three then move to four.
 
The 3 most common fullcover blocks all have active cooling on the VRMs, EK's, XSPC's and AquaComputer's.
 
I was looking at the ek models and I don't understand the benefits of each type of construction. Any recommendations? They are cheaper than the xspc one. Also, what is the cheapest place to buy these?

Frozen cpu lists the ek bridge connector for the z77. Would the bridge work with all ek waterblocks ? Do I need to buy adapters for each card to connect the bridge?

I'm basically trying to find the cheapest waterblock setup that is reliable.
 
allen5055 said:
I was looking at the ek models and I don't understand the benefits of each type of construction. Any recommendations? They are cheaper than the xspc one. Also, what is the cheapest place to buy these?

Frozen cpu lists the ek bridge connector for the z77. Would the bridge work with all ek waterblocks ? Do I need to buy adapters for each card to connect the bridge?

I'm basically trying to find the cheapest waterblock setup that is reliable.
Click to expand...

Construction for the EK block is mainly just about looks. Nickle plating vs Copper is mainly about the look, though Nickle can help prevent corrosion/oxidation(not really a big deal IMO). Looks don't really matter too much to me since I don't have a plexi/windowed panel.

EK construction vs other blocks?
They are cheaper, so machining quality might be a bit better on the more expensive blocks.
Design? They all have slightly different flow designs for the heatsink but all should be pretty comparable performance wise, though it would be nice to see shoot-out results.

I will say this though, EK CPU blocks is one of the best, if not the best, performing CPU blocks so they obviously are doing something right.

I plan on going with EK.
The research that I have done, for the EK blocks, is that you cannot use the EK Bridge/Link for the 290/x block, you need the EK Terminal. Purchasing the Terminal should come with everything you need to get it installed. It appears, haven't looked at the instructions recently, but that you remove the part that has the ports and simply install the Terminal, either with the screws you removed or with the screws package with the Link.

It mainly boils down to two things, IMO.
Looks and price.
 
LordEC911 said:
Construction for the EK block is mainly just about looks. Nickle plating vs Copper is mainly about the look, though Nickle can help prevent corrosion/oxidation(not really a big deal IMO). Looks don't really matter too much to me since I don't have a plexi/windowed panel.

EK construction vs other blocks?
They are cheaper, so machining quality might be a bit better on the more expensive blocks.
Design? They all have slightly different flow designs for the heatsink but all should be pretty comparable performance wise, though it would be nice to see shoot-out results.

I will say this though, EK CPU blocks is one of the best, if not the best, performing CPU blocks so they obviously are doing something right.

I plan on going with EK.
The research that I have done, for the EK blocks, is that you cannot use the EK Bridge/Link for the 290/x block, you need the EK Terminal. Purchasing the Terminal should come with everything you need to get it installed. It appears, haven't looked at the instructions recently, but that you remove the part that has the ports and simply install the Terminal, either with the screws you removed or with the screws package with the Link.

It mainly boils down to two things, IMO.
Looks and price.
Click to expand...

That terminal is a lot cheaper than the xspc connectors, which are $12 x 2 between each graphics card unless I am misunderstanding. Price is paramount to me. I may just go with EK. What's the best website to order from?
 
allen5055 said:
That terminal is a lot cheaper than the xspc connectors, which are $12 x 2 between each graphics card unless I am misunderstanding. Price is paramount to me. I may just go with EK. What's the best website to order from?
Click to expand...

In the US, FrozenCPU, Performance-PCS, Sidewinder and Xoxide.
 
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