Watercooling with NZXT G10 - VRAM Cooling

[makomako]

I recently purchased a Saphhire R9 270x Dual-X, while I got what I wanted out of the card the thing unfortunately tends to get quite noisy. I decided to try using the Kraken G10 as I had an H55 collecting dust in some box however after taking apart the card I found out that pretty much all the RAM modules were located around the GPU chip and with the way the G10 is designed it only blows air on one side.

 

So here's my question, could I get away with having the RAM totally exposed like this without any direct cooling? I have 2 other fans that could be set up in a way to blow in the direction of the card.

[xox]

Yeah, realistically, but it's the VRM modules that probably should be the cause for concern for you here.

 

I'd get some of those miniature heatsinks for them.

 

EDIT:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-001-WC&emcs0=2&emcs1=Produktdetailseite&emcs2=WC-557-EK&emcs3=HS-001-WC

Edited January 14, 2015 by tomlambert01

[teddyteddyteddy]

@Faceman usually says that there isn't a problem. you could get heatsinks if you want though

Edit: wait, this seems like a different situation than normal. Normally, people are saying that the fan isn't enough for cooling. But you're saying that the fan doesn't cover everything?

[RevoltTrain]

I'd grab this also, just to be safe: 

 

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-001-WC&emcs0=2&emcs1=Produktdetailseite&emcs2=WC-557-EK&emcs3=HS-001-WC

[makomako]

@Faceman usually says that there isn't a problem. you could get heatsinks if you want though

Edit: wait, this seems like a different situation than normal. Normally, people are saying that the fan isn't enough for cooling. But you're saying that the fan doesn't cover everything?

Exactly. It only covers one side of the card where the vrm would usually be however that's not the case with mine. Pretty weird considering the manual says the bracket is compatible with the 270x.

[Faceman]

I recently purchased a Saphhire R9 270x Dual-X, while I got what I wanted out of the card the thing unfortunately tends to get quite noisy. I decided to try using the Kraken G10 as I had an H55 collecting dust in some box however after taking apart the card I found out that pretty much all the RAM modules were located around the GPU chip and with the way the G10 is designed it only blows air on one side.

 

So here's my question, could I get away with having the RAM totally exposed like this without any direct cooling? I have 2 other fans that could be set up in a way to blow in the direction of the card.

You will be perfectly fine not using heatsinks, but it is recommended if available.  In the meantime, definitely have some spare fans pointing directly at the card, specifically the exposed areas.

[Imabigmac]

My mem chips have been fine without any heatsinks. If anything the ones farthest from the power system which is where the fan is (unless you have a special PCB/non reference) tend to be cooler than the ones near the power system. I do have a side panel fan that blows at the card - but the G10 bracket does help block some of the air flow from the fan. 

[makomako]

So I went ahead and installed everything. No issues so far. I've got a 140mm attached to the HDD cage blowing air onto the card. Everything seems to be staying cool.