Water Cooling Questions...

Jdogbf · February 17, 2015

Hey guys, I am new to the whole water cooling thing and I want a bit of help and to learn. I Currently have a Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 with a FX-8320 and I am upgrading at some point to two R9 290x(I wanted a Windforce for air cooling, but I know that will not work with most blocks). So I am wondering What would I need to get started, and what R9 290x would you suggest for this? I have a Fractle Design R4 and right now a H100. I am posting a picture of my PC and how it is set up for maybe a bit of help.

Here is what I know. I need water blocks compatible with the R9 290x's and my 8320. Need at least one radiator, pump, and res. Should get more then needed tubing so I can mess up a little bit, and the fittings. Other then this, I have no idea what is best, and what I should do.

CoolaxGaming · February 17, 2015

Get the cheapest 290x with a water block. Get a 240mm ek KKT withwaterblocks and fittings and a 480 rad

d3sl91 · February 17, 2015

The R4 isnt the best for watercooling. But for watercooling cpu + SLI 290x:

2x 240MM Radiators

2x EK 290x Blocks

1x CPU Block (XSPC Raystrom is great, but so is EKs)

14x EK Compression Fittings.

D5 Pump.

D5 Pump Top.

Reservoir (EK has a few nice ones).

You are looking at about the same $$ you spent on your system just for the watercooling parts.

Faceman · February 17, 2015

Instead of wasting money on water cooling, spend money on a real processor that is capable of pushing two R9 290Xs.

brandishwar · February 17, 2015

VisionTek sells R9 290Xs with blocks pre-installed, which can save you some money and potentially a bit of hassle. Alternatively, you'll need to select a card with a reference board design: all of the boards listed as "visual" or "physical" supported by this block should qualify. EK also has blocks available for a couple non-reference R9 290X cards like the MSI Lightning.