Water Cooling GPU?

[roastpuff]

Hi guys, I run a SLI'd Asus 560Ti DirectCUII setup, but my current case has really poor airflow. Now, I'm going to be upgrading to a Fractal Arc MIDI case, which will have much more airflow (and fans) than my current case. Right now, it sounds like a jet is trying to take off whenever I start playing BF3.

Idle temps currently is around 33c for GPU1 (on top, more obstructed) and 30c for GPU2 (bottom slot, open underneath). Load temps go to about 66c for GPU1 and 62c for GPU2. So temps are doing OK, but this involves insanely high fan speeds. And an open case side. Otherwise they go up a little bit more and my internal temperatures get pretty toasty.

CPU (i7-2600k at 4.1Ghz) idles @ 22c, load is about 48c with a Corsair A50 air cooler. Gelid Wing12 fan is used on the cooler, slightly less CFM but much quieter.

Should that be enough? Or should I consider water cooling? The Arc MIDI allows for a top-mounted 240mm internal radiator setup... I would want to do all 3 if I do go for water cooling. CPU + 2 GPU. However, I would like it as neat as possible, and so I was considering a 1-bay 5.25" pump/reservoir combo, top-mount 240mm radiator and blocks for CPU/GPU to run from there. A minor issue is that the ASUS 560Ti's apparently use non-reference design, and is a bit harder to find GPU covers for - I would need to run a GPU block and then heatsinks for VRM/RAM.

Opinions?

[dealt]

Man those are good temps compared to mine.

I run 6870's in CrossFire and my idle is 57c... On load about 80c-90c playing BF3.

The GPU waterblocks themselves already run you approx $100+ per block, so if I were you I would sell your 560's and maybe get a GTX 590. (even though its overpriced as hell)

Personally, I am a fan of only watercooling high end enthusiast GPU's. With the money you spend on the actual waterblocks, you can use that money and upgrade to a higher end card.

[Glove]

your temps are real good for air as is,

iv'e got my cpu and both 570's water cooled,

cpu at 4.9ghz 1.4v idle = 20c
full = 50c
both gpus at 900mhz 1.1v idle =25c
full = 40c

water is definitly the shit, but your doing very well for air, I wouldnt change anything

[kchan]

what is your current case?
the directcuII should be relatively quiet even at full load

are you sure its not other fans in your computer that is creating the excessive noise?
also, do you have sound deadening in your case?

[roastpuff]

Originally Posted by dealt

Man those are good temps compared to mine.

I run 6870's in CrossFire and my idle is 57c... On load about 80c-90c playing BF3.

The GPU waterblocks themselves already run you approx $100+ per block, so if I were you I would sell your 560's and maybe get a GTX 590. (even though its overpriced as hell)

Personally, I am a fan of only watercooling high end enthusiast GPU's. With the money you spend on the actual waterblocks, you can use that money and upgrade to a higher end card.

GTX590 = $700. I don't think water cooling would cost quite that much, and I'm more looking to make the rig quieter...

Originally Posted by Glove

your temps are real good for air as is,

iv'e got my cpu and both 570's water cooled,

cpu at 4.9ghz 1.4v idle = 20c
full = 50c
both gpus at 900mhz 1.1v idle =25c
full = 40c

water is definitly the shit, but your doing very well for air, I wouldnt change anything

Hm, maybe just the new case then. Right now it's non-existent cable management, completely messed up.

Originally Posted by kchan

what is your current case?
the directcuII should be relatively quiet even at full load

are you sure its not other fans in your computer that is creating the excessive noise?
also, do you have sound deadening in your case?

Some no-name case I got on CL for $20. And I'm pretty sure it's not the other fans, the other fans are Gelid Wing 12's which are pretty quiet. It's definitely the video cards ramping up. No sound deadening in the case either, it's very old school.

[kchan]

I have the same cooler DirectCUII but mine is a hd6950, but I don't experience this loud fan even at full load

if you dont mind spending some time, when its at full load manually see which fan it may be, before spending a ton on water cooling. However, it is a good time to upgrade your case! ahahahah

[roastpuff]

Pretty sure it's the GPU fans. They're the only ones which are PWM-controlled at the moment... all my other fans are running full-blast all the time, which is why they're Gelid Wing 12 fans (except for one front intake fan which I cannot figure out how to remove without destroying the front of the case).

At any rate, I think water-cooling will have to be abandoned due to sheer cost. I priced everything out and I'm looking at well over $600 to get a rig going. Let's hope that the Arc Midi will be good with just air-cooling.

[kchan]

ah, do it step by step, upgrade a case worthy of your specs first LOL

then some sound deadening (im very picky with noise)
then add in pieces by pieces