Acention
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I am looking at building my first water cooling loop and have been doing quite a bit of research on what it entails and have come up a little blank on gpu cooling, at least in terms of universal blocks.
My question is regarding a universal gpu block and what else is needed and how it is setup. Obviously the block covers the gpu core so that is not a problem. I guess my question is how people cool the vrm's and what the setup looks like with a universal block. I imagine that you need a fan blowing over the vrm's and most likely heat sinks attached. Does anyone have any pictures of their setup with a universal block they could share to give me an idea of what it looks like and how it is setup? Is it worth it?
Maybe this is not the way to go and I should stick with a full cover block instead. I just don't really care for the idea that every time I buy a new GPU (every 1-2 years) that I have to spend an extra $100ish dollars to add it into the loop. Its an expensive hobby though and maybe I just need to bite the bullet on this part.
Any advice would be appreciated. Current GPU is a 980ti Classified if that makes any difference.
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Zuhl3156
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/04 11:29:40
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Zuhl3156
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/04 11:32:48
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jonkrmr
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/04 11:50:43
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Would be recommended to use a full coverage water block on your video card as it would also cool the memory and VRMs on your card. Unless you have a custom PCB card that no full coverage block is made for or you are just really tight on money. By the time you buy a universal one and the separate heat sinks for the VRMs and the RAM, you would probably be paying as much as a full coverage one.
Intel i9-10850K @ 5 GHz MSI MEG Z490 Unify Corsair Vengeance RGB RT 32GB 3600MHz DDR4 ASUS Strix RTX 3080 OC 12GB Gaming @ 2175 MHz core - peak \ 20004 MHz mem Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB NVMe M.2 SSD 2x Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD RAID 0 SoundBlasterX AE-5 EVGA SuperNova 1000 P2 Corsair Obsidian 500D SE Custom water cooling on CPU & GPU Acer XV272U 27" 2k 170Hz
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Zuhl3156
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/04 11:58:11
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A full coverage block with backplate cools everything. 
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Vlada011
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/04 11:58:50
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And EKWB made universal block Thermosphere... before 2-3 days I look prices and compare with full cover block...
It's cheaper but not much cheaper and advantage is only if you want to keep for 2-3 cards and only for reference models...
I mean I saw some people install on custom cards but it's harder because wider PCB... For only single card difference is maybe
40-50$... But universal cover only chip.
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Zuhl3156
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/04 12:01:04
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jonkrmr
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/04 12:06:31
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Zuhl3156
A full coverage block with backplate cools everything.
+1 :)
Intel i9-10850K @ 5 GHz MSI MEG Z490 Unify Corsair Vengeance RGB RT 32GB 3600MHz DDR4 ASUS Strix RTX 3080 OC 12GB Gaming @ 2175 MHz core - peak \ 20004 MHz mem Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB NVMe M.2 SSD 2x Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD RAID 0 SoundBlasterX AE-5 EVGA SuperNova 1000 P2 Corsair Obsidian 500D SE Custom water cooling on CPU & GPU Acer XV272U 27" 2k 170Hz
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hallowen
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/04 13:11:40
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For my Bench Testing and also a Cheap alternate Cooling method, Instead of having to spend a few hundred $$$ EVERY time for Full Cover water blocks, I've used a "GPU Only" $23 copper water block (Link Below) for use on my previous EVGA 980 reference & non-reference 980Ti Classified Graphics including a 980Ti Classified KPE Card leaving the stock Heat Plate attached which was then cooled by a pair of 120mm case fans for VRM and Memory Cooling. NOTICE: This method will ONLY work on Cards with ACX Cooling that have the full cover heat plate and NOT the "Blower" style cards.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/B-Y-GPU-MTX-High-temperature-resistant-copper-bottom-POM-VGA-water-cooling-head-/181456270881?hash=item2a3fa2f621   
post edited by hallowen - 2015/09/04 13:19:19
ASUS: Rampage VI Extreme | i9-7940X | 2X RTX 2080 Ti Kingpin SLI | 32GB DDR4 3200MHz Memory - SAGER: NP9870-G | i7-6700K | GTX 980M 8GB | 64GB DDR4 | 950 PRO M.2 512GB | 17.3 QHD 120Hz Matte G-Sync | Prema bios - EVOC Premamod: P870TM1 | i9-9900K-LM | RTX 2080N 8GB | Modded Vapor Chamber | 32GB 3000MHz Ripjaws | 960 EVO M.2 1TB | 17.3 3K QHD 120Hz Matte G-Sync | Intel 8265 -
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Vlada011
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/04 14:12:20
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Yes he fit exactly on place.
I doubt some other block can fit on same way.
Now when EKWB launch Predator people will have easier options to build nice water cooling.
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Acention
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/04 14:36:14
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hallowen
For my Bench Testing and also a Cheap alternate Cooling method, Instead of having to spend a few hundred $$$ EVERY time for Full Cover water blocks, I've used a "GPU Only" $23 copper water block (Link Below) for use on my previous EVGA 980 reference & non-reference 980Ti Classified Graphics including a 980Ti Classified KPE Card leaving the stock Heat Plate attached which was then cooled by a pair of 120mm case fans for VRM and Memory Cooling.
NOTICE: This method will ONLY work on Cards with ACX Cooling that have the full cover heat plate and NOT the "Blower" style cards.
That's pretty much what I was looking at doing. Can you explain or do you have pictures of how you mounted the fans for the VRM's? That is one of the things I can't figure out is a good way to mount a fan to keep them cool. I like the idea of being able to keep a gpu block that I can switch between cards when I upgrade. Really appreciate the pics and info.
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hallowen
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/04 15:46:36
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Acention
That's pretty much what I was looking at doing. Can you explain or do you have pictures of how you mounted the fans for the VRM's? That is one of the things I can't figure out is a good way to mount a fan to keep them cool. I like the idea of being able to keep a gpu block that I can switch between cards when I upgrade. Really appreciate the pics and info.
Due to my need to Constantly test/bench/change components and using CPU Phase Change Cooling or installing a Pot on the CPU for DICE Cooling, My Benching Rigs are not inside of an enclosed case, The MB is sitting Flat on a table/benching platform and I can just mount Fans anywhere either Blowing across the length of the card(s) or I can mount Fans Blowing down on the top Edge of the card(s). I don't have to have a high volume of air blowing on the VRM's/Memory Chips to keep them from overheating due to the "Open Air" design on my Systems as shown in my Mods Rigs page. Here are a few other Rigs I have built in the Past, Some using Fans and others that don't need any:  
ASUS: Rampage VI Extreme | i9-7940X | 2X RTX 2080 Ti Kingpin SLI | 32GB DDR4 3200MHz Memory - SAGER: NP9870-G | i7-6700K | GTX 980M 8GB | 64GB DDR4 | 950 PRO M.2 512GB | 17.3 QHD 120Hz Matte G-Sync | Prema bios - EVOC Premamod: P870TM1 | i9-9900K-LM | RTX 2080N 8GB | Modded Vapor Chamber | 32GB 3000MHz Ripjaws | 960 EVO M.2 1TB | 17.3 3K QHD 120Hz Matte G-Sync | Intel 8265 -
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Acention
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/06 14:10:16
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hallowen
Acention
That's pretty much what I was looking at doing. Can you explain or do you have pictures of how you mounted the fans for the VRM's? That is one of the things I can't figure out is a good way to mount a fan to keep them cool. I like the idea of being able to keep a gpu block that I can switch between cards when I upgrade. Really appreciate the pics and info.
Due to my need to Constantly test/bench/change components and using CPU Phase Change Cooling or installing a Pot on the CPU for DICE Cooling, My Benching Rigs are not inside of an enclosed case, The MB is sitting Flat on a table/benching platform and I can just mount Fans anywhere either Blowing across the length of the card(s) or I can mount Fans Blowing down on the top Edge of the card(s).
I don't have to have a high volume of air blowing on the VRM's/Memory Chips to keep them from overheating due to the "Open Air" design on my Systems as shown in my Mods Rigs page.
Here are a few other Rigs I have built in the Past, Some using Fans and others that don't need any:
Awesome thanks for the pics. So hopefully final question just to make me feel a little better and more comfortable. Would something like either of these two be good enough to cool the VRM's in an enclosed case? or My case has two 120mm fans blowing up from the bottoms and two pulling in from the front. Case has quite a bit of air movement in it already. I have a IR heat gun that I could check the VRM temps if I went this route but I would hate to set it all up only to find that I have to pull it all back out again due to high temps. I really appreciate the info and time you took to take the pictures, they definitely help a lot to get an idea of a setup, even if its not quite like what I going to go for.
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hallowen
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/06 14:47:41
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I would like to tell you what to use, But I don't think you have enough posts to show any pics.
Try sending me a PM with an attachment pic or respond to my Email address so you can attach some photos of your PC to look at.
ASUS: Rampage VI Extreme | i9-7940X | 2X RTX 2080 Ti Kingpin SLI | 32GB DDR4 3200MHz Memory - SAGER: NP9870-G | i7-6700K | GTX 980M 8GB | 64GB DDR4 | 950 PRO M.2 512GB | 17.3 QHD 120Hz Matte G-Sync | Prema bios - EVOC Premamod: P870TM1 | i9-9900K-LM | RTX 2080N 8GB | Modded Vapor Chamber | 32GB 3000MHz Ripjaws | 960 EVO M.2 1TB | 17.3 3K QHD 120Hz Matte G-Sync | Intel 8265 -
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Acention
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/08 14:15:20
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hallowen
I would like to tell you what to use, But I don't think you have enough posts to show any pics.
Try sending me a PM with an attachment pic or respond to my Email address so you can attach some photos of your PC to look at.
It seems I can receive but not send PM's until I get to 10 posts, but I replied to you via e-mail Hallowen with pictures.
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hallowen
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/08 17:08:46
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Acention
hallowen
I would like to tell you what to use, But I don't think you have enough posts to show any pics.
Try sending me a PM with an attachment pic or respond to my Email address so you can attach some photos of your PC to look at.
It seems I can receive but not send PM's until I get to 10 posts, but I replied to you via e-mail Hallowen with pictures.
Thanks Acention, I received your Two PC pics (Shown as the first and second ones Below) and I Will Say after I looked at ALL the Specs of your Case on the Phanteks Website- http://www.phanteks.com/enthoo-primo.html - ,That Case you have is HUGE (250mm Wide x 650mm High x 600mm Deep) and In My Opinion would DEFINITLY provide enough Air Cooling for the VRM's and Memory for Not Just Only Two EVGA 980Ti Classifieds using the previously shown "GPU Only" Water Blocks, But as the Case Manufacturer has shown in the Third last Pic that I have illustrated with Red Air-Flow Arrows, The Phanteks Case Can be set up for Water Cooling using FOUR Graphics Cards in 4-Way SLI using a 240mm Push-Pull Fan/Radiator arrangement on the Bottom and a 360mm Fan/Radiator on the Top of the Case. If This is the Way you are going to set up your Water Cooling System for Only TWO Graphics Cards and the CPU, I Can See No Air Cooling Temperature Problems with the VRM's/Memory or for that matter ANY other portion of the Classifieds Whatsoever.    
ASUS: Rampage VI Extreme | i9-7940X | 2X RTX 2080 Ti Kingpin SLI | 32GB DDR4 3200MHz Memory - SAGER: NP9870-G | i7-6700K | GTX 980M 8GB | 64GB DDR4 | 950 PRO M.2 512GB | 17.3 QHD 120Hz Matte G-Sync | Prema bios - EVOC Premamod: P870TM1 | i9-9900K-LM | RTX 2080N 8GB | Modded Vapor Chamber | 32GB 3000MHz Ripjaws | 960 EVO M.2 1TB | 17.3 3K QHD 120Hz Matte G-Sync | Intel 8265 -
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mluppov
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/14 04:55:24
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99% of answers are totally unrelated to the question. Usual I guess. I wondering exactly the same as author of the tread. I could buy a full-cover Titan X block, but then it is most probably gonna be useless with the next gen cards and is very hard to sell. EK-Thermosphere looks neat imao and is universal solution I could reuse in the future for literally any card of any PCB design (reference or custom doesn't matter). I'm currently looking at EVGA cards with ACX 2.0 coolers, but their availability on Amazon for a reasonable price is very limited and I'm not sure that this aluminium plate will be enough for passive cooling of the VRM+VRAM. No wish to spend over 100$ for one time use block, but if VRM and VRAM can't be passively cooled, then using universal block + fan pretty much ruins the aesthetics of water cooled card. Not talking about noise.
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hallowen
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2015/09/14 05:34:58
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mluppov
99% of answers are totally unrelated to the question. Usual I guess. I wondering exactly the same as author of the tread. I could buy a full-cover Titan X block, but then it is most probably gonna be useless with the next gen cards and is very hard to sell. EK-Thermosphere looks neat imao and is universal solution I could reuse in the future for literally any card of any PCB design (reference or custom doesn't matter). I'm currently looking at EVGA cards with ACX 2.0 coolers, but their availability on Amazon for a reasonable price is very limited and I'm not sure that this aluminium plate will be enough for passive cooling of the VRM+VRAM. No wish to spend over 100$ for one time use block, but if VRM and VRAM can't be passively cooled, then using universal block + fan pretty much ruins the aesthetics of water cooled card. Not talking about noise.
First of All, Welcome to the Forums.  I'll take it for granted that You are Not into Overclocking your System to the absolute Limits, and probably just use your Rig for Gaming and such, So using the solution I have shown would NEVER overheat the VRM's or Memory of an ACX series Card unless you operated it in a completely enclosed case with a few fans and No Water Cooling, Which is Not what the OP is attempting to do. If You have used a Factory Air Cooled ACX Graphics Card in a Case, You might have noticed the Expelled Hot Air from it makes EVERYTHING around it Hotter. You would also notice that the ACX Cooling system doesn't blow heat OUT of the case, But expels Hot Air INTO the surrounding case area and will DEFINITELY Overheat not only the VRM's and Memory, But also the GPU as Well. As an Extreme Overclocker, I have been Benching/Overclocking with the above "GPU Only" water cooling system for YEARS using both Single and Multiple SLI setup and even when pushing the Voltages to the MAX with all my GPU,s/VRM's/Memory at their Highest Temps in order to get the Highest Benching Scores possible (as Shown in The Futuremark HOF), The Stock ACX style Heat Plates STILL provide enough passive cooling to keep VRM and Memory Temps Well Below reasonable Limits. P.S., You will Also Notice that the EK-Thermosphere Block you have suggested will ONLY work with NO HEAT PLATE ATTACHED as with the "Blower" style cards, But it WILL NOT work with the Stock ACX Style Heat Plate due to interference between the Die Face and the Factory Heat Plate "tabs" The EK-Thermosphere Block provides NO HEAT SINK COOLING AT ALL for Both the VRM's and the Memory as shown in the EK Installation Manual.
post edited by hallowen - 2015/09/14 07:08:56
ASUS: Rampage VI Extreme | i9-7940X | 2X RTX 2080 Ti Kingpin SLI | 32GB DDR4 3200MHz Memory - SAGER: NP9870-G | i7-6700K | GTX 980M 8GB | 64GB DDR4 | 950 PRO M.2 512GB | 17.3 QHD 120Hz Matte G-Sync | Prema bios - EVOC Premamod: P870TM1 | i9-9900K-LM | RTX 2080N 8GB | Modded Vapor Chamber | 32GB 3000MHz Ripjaws | 960 EVO M.2 1TB | 17.3 3K QHD 120Hz Matte G-Sync | Intel 8265 -
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rm6388@msn.com
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Re: Universal GPU Block Questions.
2016/08/03 22:43:49
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I was not able to pm you Halloween. I'm looking to buy a VGA universal block and found this thread. Have you had any troubles with those blocks over the years. No leaks? Are temps impressive? I really like the price. Also what size are those barbs?
My other choice are 2 ek supremacy blocks but this one is way cheaper.
I'll be putting it on a 980ti ftw card.
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