Water cooling gpu

Petrolhead · 23 Sep 2020 at 10:47

I am getting a RTX 3080 sometime.

Just done a recent build i9-10850 which is cooled with a Fractal Design 360 AIO

i would like to water cool the GPU.

what the most cost effective way to do this. I believe you cant get an AIO for a gpu so looking at a EK system. Should i but a cpu kit and then a gpu water block and just cool the GPU and not use the included cpu block?

Defy Belief · 23 Sep 2020 at 10:54

You can get 'hybrid' gpus, which come pre mounted with an AIO solution, unlikely to see those for a while on the 3080.

Not sure on compatibility of the NZXT g12 mounts on the 3080 where you can use an AIO to cool the gpu. (most cost effective if its compatible)

Honestly, if you're going the route of buying a gpu block, pump/res, rad etc, just include the cpu in the loop and sell the AIO. Especially if you're thinking of buying a kit which would come with a cpu block.

GilesGuthrie · 23 Sep 2020 at 11:21

You could build a loop similar to an AIO, using a 240mm rad, a pump, and the GPU block. Then the block & rad would double up as the reservoir, which is how AIOs are built.

However, you'd be going to the effort of doing your own pipework, and placing all the components in your system alongside your AIO. A functional (i.e. not RGB/shiny-shiny) CPU block can be had for as little as £40, so I would also recommend selling the AIO you have and building a full custom loop.

Petrolhead · 23 Sep 2020 at 11:23

Oh so sell the aio

am i correct in thinking the classic kit is alloy and the gpu block nickel? If so am i correct in thinking they cant be used together?

Toothy1911 · 23 Sep 2020 at 12:41

Yep - Dont mix aluminium and copper/nickel.
You can get AIO coolers for GPUs too. Would be a cheaper and easier route for you.

Petrolhead · 23 Sep 2020 at 13:28

Toothy1911 said:
Yep - Dont mix aluminium and copper/nickel.
You can get AIO coolers for GPUs too. Would be a cheaper and easier route for you.

Thought as much so EK classic would be a no go as their gpu blocks are nickal

GPU aoi for a 3080?

LePhuronn · 23 Sep 2020 at 13:58

cms239 said:
Thought as much so EK classic would be a no go as their gpu blocks are nickal

Um, only EK's Fluid Gaming line is aluminium. Everything else is copper or nickel-plated copper.

Petrolhead · 23 Sep 2020 at 14:01

So i would need to look at the quantum kits

LePhuronn · 23 Sep 2020 at 14:06

cms239 said:
So i would need to look at the quantum kits

If you want to spend the extra money then go for it, but if you don't want to break the bank with your first loop then the Classic kits are fine.

Toothy1911 · 23 Sep 2020 at 14:07

cms239 said:
Thought as much so EK classic would be a no go as their gpu blocks are nickal

GPU aoi for a 3080?

https://www.alphacool.com/download/compatibility list Nvidia.pdf

Shows their Eiswolf 2 is coming soon.

Petrolhead · 23 Sep 2020 at 14:10

LePhuronn said:
If you want to spend the extra money then go for it, but if you don't want to break the bank with your first loop then the Classic kits are fine.

Sorry getting confused which gpu block would i use with the EK classic kit

LePhuronn · 23 Sep 2020 at 15:15

cms239 said:
Sorry getting confused which gpu block would i use with the EK classic kit

Whatever fits your GPU.

MikeTimbers · 24 Sep 2020 at 16:29

Recent tests (e.g. DerBauer) show next to no performance gains over air-cooling with the 3xxx series. It also appears that the mounting holes are no longer as used by NVidia for many generations so older GPU universal blocks won't fit nor will the NZXT G10/G12 mounting bracket.

I wouldn't rush into this exercise. Let the how-to's come out on YouTube from the more experienced players.