Question on gpu cooling

[drewjn]

So, my case is a Phanteks Enthoo Pro. Cpu is cooled with a Swiftech H240x, and this allows me with the option of comfortably adding an extra rad and the ability to cool a gpu as well without much trouble for the pump.

 

I have a Gigabyte GTX970 G1, and my question is if it should be water cooled, or if it is not needed. I might eventually sli in the future, but not immediately. I can fit a second radiator (a 240 or a 140) on the bottom of my case, or a 140 on the rear exhaust.

 

 

I understand that some waterblocks for this model of gpu are either out, or will be coming out soon, and would like to know how much would it effectively cost to add on the rad/waterblock to the existing loop. Also, if I add a second gpu in the future, will I need a third rad or will the two gpus be fine on a single rad? Again for the cost question, overall cost for mountings and so on if possible, and if it is worth it.

[Bosco]

@drewjn remember to follow your topics so you get notified even if you aren't quoted or @ed

 

Is the gpu throttling due to temperature or is your overclock being limited by temp alone? If yes then watercool if no then watercooling won't really do much and at that point it's mainly a question of do you want to not should it be.

[drewjn]

Fair enough, was wondering if it is preferable in sli. I've heard that the gigabyte cools decently enough. So it is more towards going all out if that is what you prefer. Even with sli, will the stock cools for decent gpus be fine?

[TBNRunity]

Well water cooling could help a lot in sli as the top card would be pulling hot air from the bottom card possibly making the top one over heat

[Bosco]

Well water cooling could help a lot in sli as the top card would be pulling hot air from the bottom card possibly making the top one over heat

Only if the cards were basically touching which depends on the mobo my cards have over an inch gap between them in 2 way sli

[Godlygamer23]

Water cooling will result in lower load and idle temps.

[decripple]

Watercooling would yield much better temps but not necessarily fix your throttling issues. Custom parts like an EK-FC970 GTX WF3 - Acetal+Nickel block + an additional 240mm radiator would be around $200 in parts.

 

For much less money you could still get a great increase in performance by grabbing a good Asetek based 120mm AIO cooler like a Corsair H75 or Thermaltake Water 3.0 Pro and use a NZXT Kraken G10 bracket to spend around $120 and get really good performance (not as good as the full cover EK block option but still great compared to stock and much cheaper)

[drewjn]

Watercooling would yield much better temps but not necessarily fix your throttling issues. Custom parts like an EK-FC970 GTX WF3 - Acetal+Nickel block + an additional 240mm radiator would be around $200 in parts.

 

For much less money you could still get a great increase in performance by grabbing a good Asetek based 120mm AIO cooler like a Corsair H75 or Thermaltake Water 3.0 Pro and use a NZXT Kraken G10 bracket to spend around $120 and get really good performance (not as good as the full cover EK block option but still great compared to stock and much cheaper)

 

Fair enough. Will likely think it over when I do upgrade to sli and if I see any major temperature issues for the gigabyte gtx 970 g1, when in sli.

 

Any suggestions on what software to use for monitoring temps and testing, or do they usually come included? The build I've made is the first real custom one as I used to just mainly buy prebuilt with lesser components.

[Bosco]

msi afterburner it will let you watch temps usage clock speeds, and change fan control and overclock if you want.