Have to decide tonight!

[aduman]

Hi!

So I've managed to narrow my options down with the help of many friendly members here and decided to take the last step with you. I have to give the seller here the exact model number tomorrow so I have to decide tonight.

It's going to be an SLI 780Ti setup. My case is a 550D and here's my fan setup:

-Two AF120 fans as intake on front.

-One 550D stock fan as intake on bottom.

-Single 140mm H90 stock fan between the radiator and the back of the case as exhaust. (Only one exhaust.)

Here's the last step: For SLI, which cooler would perform better on this setup, ACX or reference?

I've had an Asus 590 and I used to get temps around 95 on this case. That's why I'm scared to take this step alone.

Thank you!

[Askew]

Reference coolers are better for SLI, why have ACX fans blowing all the heat into each other when it can all just get blown straight out.

 

The 780Ti's reference cooler is very good and up to the job not to mention good looking.

[loccilucas]

Reference for SLI, also may I reccomend some noiseblocker blacksilent pros or silverstone AP123's instead of the AF 120's.

[aduman]

Reference coolers are better for SLI, why have ACX fans blowing all the heat into each other when it can all just get blown straight out.

 

The 780Ti's reference cooler is very good and up to the job not to mention good looking.

Yeah reference looks so sexy... This is a fact not an opinion. I'm leaning towards the reference cooler but still not convinced.

[Askew]

Yeah reference looks so sexy... This is a fact not an opinion. I'm leaning towards the reference cooler but still not convinced.

 

Well I can't convince you any more than what I've already said, reference is the better option for SLI, when you have multiple aftermarket coolers running in an ATX case the fans on the top card catch all the hot air from the bottom card and blow it through the heatsinks which reduces cooling performance, which quite often can negate the benefits of an ACX cooler over reference.

[aduman]

Reference for SLI, also may I reccomend some noiseblocker blacksilent pros or silverstone AP123's instead of the AF 120's.

Just looked at them and now I feel bad. I was going for a Corsair theme and bought the fans from them.. They are pretty silent too though. Thanks for your suggestion, I'll keep those on mind for my future upgrades.

[aduman]

Well I can't convince you any more than what I've already said, reference is the better option for SLI, when you have multiple aftermarket coolers running in an ATX case the fans on the top card catch all the hot air from the bottom card and blow it through the heatsinks which reduces cooling performance, which quite often can negate the benefits of an ACX cooler over reference.

I understand. I've read in some threads that the ACX still performs much better than reference in SLI. Logically, reference should perform better but that is why I'm asking this anyway.

[KieranFretwell]

Like they said, get the reference cooler... I mean it's the best looking cooler anyways right?.. 

[aduman]

Like they said, get the reference cooler... I mean it's the best looking cooler anyways right?..

Damn right it is.. I was just confused with all those guys saying they are having better results with ACX in SLI.

[Askew]

I understand. I've read in some threads that the ACX still performs much better than reference in SLI. Logically, reference should perform better but that is why I'm asking this anyway.

 

In situations with exceptional case airflow yes they will, but again you will be adding more fans which will in turn increase noise.

[aduman]

In situations with exceptional case airflow yes they will, but again you will be adding more fans which will in turn increase noise.

Do you recommend any fan upgrades for my setup? Preferably without removing the top and side covers of 550D. Thank you for your help.

[Askew]

Do you recommend any fan upgrades for my setup? Preferably without removing the top and side covers of 550D. Thank you for your help.

 

I would use the system with stock fans initially, see how you feel about the way they look and the noise levels then look at buying fans with less of what you don't like and more of what you do like.

[aduman]

I would use the system with stock fans initially, see how you feel about the way they look and the noise levels then look at buying fans with less of what you don't like and more of what you do like.

Stock fans were actually silent. I bought new fans because of my 590... Thought they'd increase airflow and decrease the temps a bit but they didn't change anything. That's with the 590 though, no idea how it would be with the 780 Tis.

EDIT: What if I removed the radiator from the back and mounted it on top? This way I'd be able to mount a nice exhaust fan on the back too. Would it be ok for the radiator if I kept the top cover intact?

[Askew]

Stock fans were actually silent. I bought new fans because of my 590... Thought they'd increase airflow and decrease the temps a bit but they didn't change anything. That's with the 590 though, no idea how it would be with the 780 Tis.

 

I have a Silencio 650, it has poor airflow, I have run multiple SLI configs in here with reference coolers and everything stays cool.

 

I use Noctua NF-F12s.

[aduman]

I have a Silencio 650, it has poor airflow, I have run multiple SLI configs in here with reference coolers and everything stays cool.

 

I use Noctua NF-F12s.

I'll be going with reference coolers then, thank you for your help. Can you please give me some advices about the question I just edited?

[Askew]

I'll be going with reference coolers then, thank you for your help. Can you please give me some advices about the question I just edited?

 

I would leave the rad where it is, reference GPUs will release very little heat into your case, just focus on having good intakes and the cool air will be drawn into the GPUs and also through the CPU cooler's rad and out the back.

 

Because the cover on top of the case is not a grille you'd need to remove it to install a rad up there, leaving the grille exposed, doing this would be OK if you had a 240mm rad but yours is 140mm and best left in it's current position.

[aduman]

I would leave the rad where it is, reference GPUs will release very little heat into your case, just focus on having good intakes and the cool air will be drawn into the GPUs and also through the CPU cooler's rad and out the back.

 

Because the cover on top of the case is not a grille you'd need to remove it to install a rad up there, leaving the grille exposed, doing this would be OK if you had a 240mm rad but yours is 140mm and best left in it's current position.

Thank you again, you've been very helpful. I'd really appreciate if you could answer this too, should I add another fan to the radiator? I can change the stock H90 fan too since it has really bad reviews from users.

[Askew]

Thank you again, you've been very helpful. I'd really appreciate if you could answer this too, should I add another fan to the radiator? I can change the stock H90 fan too since it has really bad reviews from users.

 

Are you unhappy with the temps and noise levels? If there is no issue with either then I wouldn't spend cash on changing it, don't worry about what other people are saying just your own personal situation.

[aduman]

Are you unhappy with the temps and noise levels? If there is no issue with either then I wouldn't spend cash on changing it, don't worry about what other people are saying just your own personal situation.

Ok then, I'll get back to you when I get my results. Once again thank you. I'll mark it solved.