360 AiO with 7900XT

[EdoTensei]

https://modmymods.com/alphacool-eiswolf-2-aio-360mm-rx-7900xt-reference-with-backplate-14490.html

 

I was thinking about trying this AIO for my 7900XT Gigabyte (it is compatible with Gigabyte as well), but I've never have done anything like it, and I would loose warranty, as there is a sticker for warranty, and also it means some extra measurements for new thermal pads (at least I think that) and new paste (paste isn't something I couldn't do, as I've done some repaste in the past few times), overall I have good experience with assembling PCs, but this is territory I have never been before. 

 

Does anyone can provide some extra information? Or may here are some people who bought it ( not necessarily for 7900XT), and have some experience? 

 

Gigabyte isn't the best when it comes to cooling, as when it go over 300watts, then either fans go nuts at OC bios, or Hot Spot hits 91 occasionally on Quiet Bios (but the core stays at 59-62), and that's why I was wondering if that could help with temperature, and overall heat dissipation as it comes with 360 radiator. 

 

I have big case, so it should fit, either on the bottom, or on the top hidden between fans and top cover (NZXT H9 Flow) 

 

I would be great full for any suggestions, especially that the price doesn't seems to be terrible as for other custom loop parts (which I literally have non experience) but if it is worth it at all ? 

Edited July 27, 2024 by EdoTensei

[Stahlmann]

Assembly should be straight forward. All the Alphacool blocks I have came with good instructions and everything I needed for assembly. You don't need to buy extra thermal pads or cut them to size. You can expect both lower noise and better temperatures from water cooling.

 

It also has quick disconnects so if you want to, you can include your CPU in the future.

 

If you were to buy all the parts on their own, you'd probably be much more expensive.

You'd need a pump/res combo, a radiator, 3 fans, 6 fittings, some coolant, tubing, and of course the GPU block.

Ideally also a drain port for maintenance down the line.

 

However, make sure to keep the old cooler and all the screws / thermal pads if you want to resell your GPU later.

 

Another option (if the GPU is still new) is to return it and use the $200 you'd spend on the AiO and just get another model with a better cooler.

 

Also, in the US and most of the EU these "warranty void if removed" stickers aren't legally enforcable.

 

One last tip: Use a Thermal Grizzly Kryosheet instead of thermal paste. They don't age, so you won't have to take off the block to repaste the GPU in the future. And in terms of thermal performance they're even better than paste in my experience.

[EdoTensei]

On 7/30/2024 at 12:19 PM, Stahlmann said:

Assembly should be straight forward. All the Alphacool blocks I have came with good instructions and everything I needed for assembly. You don't need to buy extra thermal pads or cut them to size. You can expect both lower noise and better temperatures from water cooling.

 

It also has quick disconnects so if you want to, you can include your CPU in the future.

 

If you were to buy all the parts on their own, you'd probably be much more expensive.

You'd need a pump/res combo, a radiator, 3 fans, 6 fittings, some coolant, tubing, and of course the GPU block.

Ideally also a drain port for maintenance down the line.

 

However, make sure to keep the old cooler and all the screws / thermal pads if you want to resell your GPU later.

 

Another option (if the GPU is still new) is to return it and use the $200 you'd spend on the AiO and just get another model with a better cooler.

 

Also, in the US and most of the EU these "warranty void if removed" stickers aren't legally enforcable.

 

One last tip: Use a Thermal Grizzly Kryosheet instead of thermal paste. They don't age, so you won't have to take off the block to repaste the GPU in the future. And in terms of thermal performance they're even better than paste in my experience.

About the return, I bought it on Amazon, and return window closed few days ago, so I could only sell it, but for lower price so no go.

 

Yesterday I decided to repaste it, as something weird happened with this GPU after a 2 months. I noticed almost 100C Hot Spot, on Stock settings, and even more with 15% Power Limit.

 

By knowing Gigabytes policy and refusing warranty, I decided to take a look what is happening inside (it's not my first GPU), and what I saw inside, just convinced me to repaste all new GPUs in the future..

The paste was all around the die, but literally just here and there on the die..

 

I repasted it with SYY 157, and difference is remarkable. Core temps, surprisingly isn't much lower, I would say is similar or may 1-2 lower, but at full unlocked load it's not getting more than 90 (over 100 before), but with Stock settings, and normal usage in game, 59-61 Core, and hotspot max 78-80 but 75ish AVG. So there is excellent improvement over the stock paste.

 

But I will buy the AIO for this GPU anyways, especially now when my warranty is voided, even if legally isn't, but it's Gigabyte so I will try this AIO, as I planning to keep this GPU for at least few years now, at least till RX 9000 series

[Stahlmann]

6 minutes ago, EdoTensei said:

About the return, I bought it on Amazon, and return window closed few days ago, so I could only sell it, but for lower price so no go.

 

Yesterday I decided to repaste it, as something weird happened with this GPU after a 2 months. I noticed almost 100C Hot Spot, on Stock settings, and even more with 15% Power Limit.

 

By knowing Gigabytes policy and refusing warranty, I decided to take a look what is happening inside (it's not my first GPU), and what I saw inside, just convinced me to repaste all new GPUs in the future..

The paste was all around the die, but literally just here and there on the die..

 

I repasted it with SYY 157, and difference is remarkable. Core temps, surprisingly isn't much lower, I would say is similar or may 1-2 lower, but at full unlocked load it's not getting more than 90 (over 100 before), but with Stock settings, and normal usage in game, 59-61 Core, and hotspot max 78-80 but 75ish AVG. So there is excellent improvement over the stock paste.

 

But I will buy the AIO for this GPU anyways, especially now when my warranty is voided, even if legally isn't, but it's Gigabyte so I will try this AIO, as I planning to keep this GPU for at least few years now, at least till RX 9000 series

I urge you to try the Kryosheets I mentioned before. In my case they worked even better than paste on the GPU die. With paste there is always the possibility of too little or too much, both of which can be problematic with direct die cooling like on a GPU.

[EdoTensei]

27 minutes ago, Stahlmann said:

I urge you to try the Kryosheets I mentioned before. In my case they worked even better than paste on the GPU die. With paste there is always the possibility of too little or too much, both of which can be problematic with direct die cooling like on a GPU.

I may try this Kryosheet, but it won't mess with thermal pads thickness? Because the paste will spread out leave almost nothing between die and cooler, while this Kryo seems to be thick no matter what.

 

But it seems a better idea, even this I always using the same amount, spreading the paste with spatula on whole die surface, so it's never too low or too much.

[Stahlmann]

2 hours ago, EdoTensei said:

I may try this Kryosheet, but it won't mess with thermal pads thickness? Because the paste will spread out leave almost nothing between die and cooler, while this Kryo seems to be thick no matter what.

 

But it seems a better idea, even this I always using the same amount, spreading the paste with spatula on whole die surface, so it's never too low or too much.

The pad is 0.2 mm thick when uncompressed, and mounting the cooler will compress it a bit. You see an imprint from the die in the pad when taking the cooler off. So it's about the same thickness as an ideal thermal paste application. The only thing you should do is to cover the small capacitors right next to the die with nail polish or 0.5 mm thermal pads since the Kryosheet is electrically conductive and could potentially cause a short when it moves around during the cooler mounting.

 

In my case I used 0.5 mm thermal pads, which helped a lot with mounting since they're a bit sticky and held the Kryosheet in place while I put the water block on, so It couldn't slip around.

 

Just saying, in my experience I sometimes mess up paste application on GPUs, either using too little so some parts of the die aren't covered, or too much which makes temps worse than expected. So worst case the GPU dies, or at least runs a bit hotter than expected from a water cooler.

 

But since you seem to not have this problem, feel free to use paste. I'm just saying ever since I tried out the Kryosheet, I decided I won't go back to paste in future builds. The cost per application is much higher, but it doesn't dry out, so no maintenance is required, and no mess when taking the cooler off.