GPU Cooling

[Made In Canada]

So i was planning on getting the "Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card" and i still do plan on getting it. However, i recently saw a video from Linus talking about the "NZXT Kraken G10" which is a water cooler for GPU's.  I am wondering if i should bother trying to get the cooler.  The G1 comes with 3 stock fans and is a great GPU overall, and i hope not to change that by adding a water cooler to it.  I am just asking if i should get the water cooler for my GPU, i hear it gives up to 40% increase in performance for cooling and makes the card run surprisingly better according to Linus's video, but that was with a R9 290. What do you guys think of this, and if i should get it.

 

Note: i know it says cooling but this is a GPU question so sorry if it is placed in wrong section.

[ZainJ51]

So i was planning on getting the "Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card" and i still do plan on getting it. However, i recently saw a video from Linus talking about the "NZXT Kraken G10" which is a water cooler for GPU's.  I am wondering if i should bother trying to get the cooler.  The G1 comes with 3 stock fans and is a great GPU overall, and i hope not to change that by adding a water cooler to it.  I am just asking if i should get the water cooler for my GPU, i hear it gives up to 40% increase in performance for cooling and makes the card run surprisingly better according to Linus's video, but that was with a R9 290. What do you guys think of this, and if i should get it.

 

Note: i know it says cooling but this is a GPU question so sorry if it is placed in wrong section.

Cooling only reference cards would be ideal as they run really hot (R9 290 upto 95 degrees) 3 fans is enough for good temperatures.

[VortexS]

Well, your card will be marginally cooler. The downside is the price though.

The Windforce 980 is a beast with great cooling in itself, so I wouldn't buy it, unless you have a case with no airflow whatsoever or if you really want to overclock it (to the max, the Windfore can already overclock pretty good without watercooling).

[Made In Canada]

Cooling only reference cards would be ideal as they run really hot (R9 290 upto 95 degrees) 3 fans is enough for good temperatures.

im aware, but if it will keep it cooler than the 3 fans, without affecting performance, im going to get it.

[Made In Canada]

Well, your card will be marginally cooler. The downside is the price though.

The Windforce 980 is a beast with great cooling in itself, so I wouldn't buy it, unless you have a case with no airflow whatsoever or if you really want to overclock it (to the max, the Windfore can already overclock pretty good without watercooling).

hey, if it keeps it cooler without affecting the performance, like i said, i will get it. i know its an extra 40$ but that is such a little price if it cools my GPU more than the 3 fans.  i will also be adding fans to the case, but i want the GPU cooler as cold as possible for performance and just so it will last longer.  as well as if i overclock it, i want it to be as cold as i can possibly get it.

[WoodenMarker]

hey, if it keeps it cooler without affecting the performance, like i said, i will get it. i know its an extra 40$ but that is such a little price if it cools my GPU more than the 3 fans.  i will also be adding fans to the case, but i want the GPU cooler as cold as possible for performance and just so it will last longer.  as well as if i overclock it, i dont want it to be as cold as i can possibly get it.

The Kraken G10 is just the bracket. You'd still need the AIO cooler.

[Made In Canada]

The Kraken G10 is just the bracket. You'd still need the AIO cooler.

so i would need a second CPU liquid cooler but for my GPU?

[WoodenMarker]

so i would need a second CPU liquid cooler but for my GPU?

Yes, you'd need a liquid cooler for the gpu.

[ZainJ51]

so i would need a second CPU liquid cooler but for my GPU?

You'd have to purchase the Kraken G10 which is around $40 as you said, and also purchase a AIO cooler such as a H55 something of the sort.. that'd be an extra $40+ I guess, wouldn't be worth it unless you were cooling a hot card or using a custom loop.

[VortexS]

You'd have to purchase the Kraken G10 which is around $40 as you said, and also purchase a AIO cooler such as a H55 something of the sort.. that'd be an extra $40+ I guess, wouldn't be worth it unless you were cooling a hot card or using a custom loop.

 

H55 would not be beneficient I guess, since that is only one fan.

[WoodenMarker]

H55 would not be beneficient I guess, since that is only one fan.

It's not the number of fans but instead the surface area of the cooler that mattes. in this case, the combination of the pumped liquid and fins of the rad cool much better than the Windforce heatsink.

[VortexS]

It's not the number of fans but instead the surface area of the cooler that mattes. in this case, the combination of the pumped liquid and fins of the rad cool much better than the Windforce heatsink.

 

I know that fan surface isn't the whole deal, but I thought that 3 air fans with big heatsink would outperform a budget liquid cooler. Thanks for pointing out

[WoodenMarker]

I know that fan surface isn't the whole deal, but I thought that 3 air fans with big heatsink would outperform a budget liquid cooler. Thanks for pointing out

The heatsink isn't that big--the rad is much bigger. 

[Faceman]

I know that fan surface isn't the whole deal, but I thought that 3 air fans with big heatsink would outperform a budget liquid cooler. Thanks for pointing out

An H55 is really all you need. After that, diminishing returns hit hard. The Windforce 980 is definitely a great card as is,but if you plan to do the G10 mod, you should get the least expensive 980 you can find that comes with a built in mid plate. EVGA or MSI would be the best.