Custom GPU Shroud

[HarbingerVS]

I created a custom shroud for my graphics card so I could replace the stock 80mm fans with 120mm fans. Since the mod was fairly simple, I figured others would be interested in it as it won't void any warranty or require a full teardown. I did this mod on my Zotac 1070ti AMP because the default fans have a minimum speed of 40% (about 1300 rpm). Once replaced with Be Quiet Silent Wings 3 120mm PWM High Speed fans the minimum is now 12% (about 260 rpm).

 

Final Product:

 

For this mod I used some sheets of ABS plastic, a jig saw to cut it, and superglue. For software, I used Argus Monitor for fan speed control. I got the plastic from Amazon and went with 12" by 12" by 1/8" ABS sheets (link). They are $5 each and I used two of them. Removing the stock shroud was easy, just four screws and unplugging the fan and rgb cables. I then measured the distance between the screw holes, made a template, and cut it out. I also cut out the piece for the fans so connect to.

 

 

After that I was just cutting the four side pieces and gluing them together. I did cut two notches in the back panel in order to slide the fans in and out (shown in the first picture).

 

Top View:

 

GPU installed in PC:

 

After stress testing, the GPU peaked at 76°C and the max rpm of the fans is 65% (just under 1600 rpm) and according to Be Quiet is about 17 dB(A). I am unable to test this as the ambient dB(A) in the room is around 24-26 but I can confirm that I am unable to hear it (my computer is on a table 2 feet away). The GPU is running at the factory OC: 1753MHz for GPU and 4050MHz for memory. While idle, my computer is under 12 dB(A) (again according to Be Quiet) since the fans only need to spin at 12% (about 260 rpm). The CPU cooler I use is a Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 3 and is able to passively cool my i5-8600k OC to 4.8GHz while idle and when stress tested the temps reach 82°C with the fans peaking at 60% (about 1000 rpm). Keep in mind that all testing was done with the side panel on and with the fan curves shown below. Additionally, the case fans are 3x pure wings 2 140mm fans at low speed [2 intake in the front and 1 exhaust in the back], a 1tb ssd since hard drives are not quiet, and a 850 watt power supply because it can maintain 360 watts without the fan running.

 

Argus Monitor:                                            Idle                                                                                                                                                                         Stressing both CPU and GPU

 

When I first started this project, I was concerned about coil whine/ electrical noise but this ended up not being a problem. While it does make some noise, the fans are able to drown it out even at low rpm. When creating the fan curve, I did have to increase the rpm to completely drown it out but 1600 rpm at 17 dB(A) is perfectly fine; and it was better than my goal of 20 dB(A). 

 

Fan Curve:                GPU                                                                             CPU

 

Overall this project cost me $60. $10 for the 2 sheets of ABS plastic, $40 for 2 Silent Wings 3 120mm PWM High Speed fans, and $10 for the Argus Monitor software. If you have any questions or want a more detailed how to guide just let me know.

[PopsicleHustler]

Thats some THICC mod. I like the rough texture of that shroud. Well done.

[HarbingerVS]

11 minutes ago, PopsicleHustler said:

Thats some THICC mod. I like the rough texture of that shroud. Well done.

Thanks! Glad you like it.

[thrasher_565]

one day ill try this mod. dont think ill make a shroud but still.

[Silicon Sage]

Old post, but I wanted to mention that they sell adapters for changing the 3/4 pin standard fan connections into the smaller GPU fan connections.

Thereby allowing the fans to be directly controlled via your regular GPU software and fan curves.

 

I’ve done similar mods in the past, using Noctua fans.

The shroud is the key point of the post I’m thinking, it’s not necessary to do when using fans on the heat sinks like that, but Nice touch tho.