Universal GPU block

[Half Life]

Hi guys, i looking for a universal block, for futures upgrades.

 

What universal GPU block do you recommend?

- XSPC Raystorm
- Watercool Heatkiller GPU-X3 LC
- EK Supremacy
- EK Supremacy bridge edition
- Swiftech MCW82

The card it's a reference 670, maybe in a future in SLI.

[airdeano]

none..

 

why use a uni, when full-coverage is available, especially reference design?

makes no sense rethinking water-cooling blocks unless it is a non-reference.

makes for harder plumbing, really good internal case air-flow for the VRM 'sinks

and if RMA is needed, the 'sinks are very hard to remove without damage.

 

airdeano

[extremescouter]

Yeah, you really shouldnt be getting a universal block. Just get a full block for the card you own, and then move on when you upgrade. 

[Half Life]

Is not that i don't like it the full-coverage. But i wouldn't like spend $100 per block and in a couple months buy another blocks for the other cards. 

[airdeano]

that's water-cooling, spending the money once.

 

if its $100, then shortcutting using a $60 uni and $12 for VRM 'sinks i don't

think is smart money. plus you don't see a lot of uni-blocks in SLI/CFX and

if you do, they usually don't look the part and looks like its thrown together.

 

do what you gotta do, but your using a "dollar chasing a dime theory" on a

category that shortcuts usually cost you more in the long run..

 

h2o cooling isn't cheap, well planned loops look damn good are usually

quality parts (no uni-anything), planned and executed. if there were a

cheap, tidy and available kit, there'd be a recipe parts list, there isn't.

 

consult used parts forums, i've scored a lot of 2nd hand quality parts for

experimenting, testing and modding. you just gotta know what to look for

in a used part and know that it'll mean usually no warranty, no returns,

and usually no support (mannie choice). Linus is looking to open the LLT

swap market, just ironing out details and specifics.

 

airdeano

[Whaler_99]

I speak from experience, running SLI on 6870's with uni blocks. Don't do it. :) The only reason I did was because there are no longer any full blocks available for it. You won't save any money first off. Once you factor in the cost of the extra vrm and ram heatsinks (I got the full block for my card from swiftech) plus extra fan for cooling, plus the extra fittings you need... probably a wash in the end. A full block will perform SO much better and look a lot better. 

 

Hooking up uni in SLI is a nightmare as well. :) 

 

Get the full block. If thinking up upgrading your card(s) in a few months, then just wait till you do. Or, sell the blocks. If you look after them, most have a pretty high re-sale value.

[zoltan]

+1, only go for full blocks, you can sell the GPU cards with the blocks when you upgrade, and they will hold their value really well with the blocks. Full blocks is an easier, more reliable, and more cost effective solution any way you put it.