Water or Air for GPUs?

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FireBean

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Apr 12, 2010
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I have 2 non-ref 6850. One of the fans died, and VisionTek will not warranty. I'm using a jerry rig setup to keep the card cool for now. I like to keep both the cards matching. I do use them for Bitcoin when I'm not on, so the computer does run close to 24/7. My rad is a swiftech 360 with High-Speed Petra Yates and gutted old fans.

The price for either is really close.

Should I go with water or full replacement HSF?

Can anyone suggest either?
 
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FireBean said:
Do people just not know about GPU cooling here?
Click to expand...

Maybe you didn't provide enough information.

Given that the thing runs full blast 24/7, water cooling sounds like a good idea, to me, although if you're mining bitcoins, the cost of two water blocks seems like it'd take a while to recover (those things were pricy, when last I checked).
 
I am not really sure what you are asking here.

I run my i7 and two 6950s off a 360 GTX and 120 GT Stealth and I am really pleased with the temperatures. I didn't expect much of it, but the performance surpriced me. I have yet to see the cards above 45c.

Seeing you already have a 360 rad, might as well go for water.
 
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FireBean said:
Do people just not know about GPU cooling here?
Click to expand...

Yes, we know nothing about water cooling here.....

For your setup, I would replace the stock cooler as cheaply as possible to match the other and be happy.
 
What sort of blocks are you planning to use?

You can go cheap and just cool the chip and passively cool the RAM, or you can buy full cover blocks.


Your radiator will be enough.
Water is quiet and will keep the GPU much cooler.
 
I plan on using just GPU blocks becuase these are non-reference cards. Full coverage blocks will not fit. I don't know what blocks to use either, because I can not find any reviews on them. I know that the 6850 does not output a lot of heat; I just want to know what is the best because they are all about the same price, and I can slap them on new video cards down the road.

I made that comment to get people talking. Seemed to work ;)

I cannot just simply replace my HSF because VisionTek will not supply me with a replacement fan, and NOTHING fit this damn stock cooler. The bitcoin mining is mostly just for fun. I do look at it as a sense of income or source of money for new parts. I just like watching my wallet grow :D
 
XSPC Rasa universal blocks are outstanding. Used one on my 5870. Search it and you'll find a comparison review of lots of universal blocks.
 
you should definitely be running water. those bitcoins should pay for it in a few days.
 
FireBean said:
Do people just not know about GPU cooling here?
Click to expand...

for future reference it doesn't help when you post at midnight and only give it till 8am, and it really doesnt help when you make a smart ass comment like that.

If you are bitcoin mining then yes, you really do want to be on water, when i was mining i was hitting 97C, which is WAY to hot to be running 24/7 imo.

now you can get a couple full coverage blocks (more expensive) or you can get a couple of universal blocks and some ram heatsinks (still requires a fan moving air over the cards) the choice is yours, shop around and read up more in the watercooling section on what suits you best.
 
If you do get a universal block make sure you calculate whether or not you need RAM sinks, and if you do make sure the block's ports will give enough clearance for the RAM sink.

you should definitely be running water. those bitcoins should pay for it in a few days.
Click to expand...

Not with only two 6850s and at the current exchange rates it won't. I quit mining because it just isn't worth it anymore.
 
I'd go water if you already have the other water gear.
There are few things you should know, when you are watercooling your gpus.

1)Gpu when watercooled are flow agnostic, meaning that as long as you have some flow it won't affect your ability to maintain stability, even when over clocked.

2)Even if there is a large difference in temperatures (and there won't be), it won't affect stability or overclocking.

3)But if you do not have a gpu only loop, remember your cpu is not flow agnostic or temp agnostic, so you should try to pick the gpu blocks with the least amount of restriction.

4)If you can find some mcw60s.. get those and some ram sinks, put a fan between or on the cards, and you are done. Otherwise Suggested ram sink: http://www.swiftech.com/HD6970-HS.aspx
investigate if the ram sink will work on your card.​
 
Alright people. Thank you! I have made my choice now. I'm going to go with the EK-VGA Supreme HF for both of the cards. Though, I have to ask. The RAM does not overclock worth a damn, and it did not have any kind of active cooling on it with the stock heat sink. The stock HSF never touched any other component other than the GPU. The RAM and other components were cooler by the air coming off the HS.

Are heat sinks really that necessary? Also, does anyone have and Ideas on how I'm going to get airflow across the cards? I have a 700D, and I have not yet put side panel fans in, which is coming though!
 
I believe most Arctic Cooling RAM sink kits come with more than enough HS for the RAM of two cards. For the price you might want to pick some up anyways. Just don't use the thermal epoxy included; it WILL NOT come off, haha. I know. I had to sell my 5870 as water cooled w/ the Rasa block because I couldn't get the heat sinks off anything.

As far as air flow, the side panel fans would be perfect. In the mean time, if you can zip-tie a fan in a way that will get fresh air from the front or side, that'd be good too. Even with out stock HS, your RAM was like you said getting some air flow off the stock fan and will continue to need it.
 
Sounds like I got some work for me... I'm going to have some work ahead of me. Now, to find a cheap 120mm hole saw.
 
Water = Expensive, but provides excellent cooling, is quiet

Air = Inexpensive (comparatively), but the cooling is adequate at best and has the potential to be loud

If you want the most cooling and are willing to pay for it, definitely get water cooling.
 
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