Hey guys!
 
Straight to the point, i want to watercool my new baby "titan x" with an EK waterblock kit (pump, reservoir etc). Since i've always used AiO solutions such as H100i for cpu, i do not really know in what i'm about to step in. Could you guys shed some light of the things i have to buy, what's good, what's not etc.. ? Would you recommend another brand other than Ek ? Any info is greatly appreciated ! and if someone's done it, could you explain how you did it (beside the actual waterblock installation).
 
Thank you guys looking forward to this project!.

Max

shogon
EK has typically been the leader in terms of cooling the Voltage Regulators on GPU's.  I have used other brands: XSPC, Aquacomputer, but I've been using them (EK) for a few years now and also have my Titan X with the EK block and nickel backplate. At 1.255v I barely break 52C so far @ 1531 / 8000 MHz in extended folding / gaming periods. The EK manual will tell you everything you'll need to do as far as  installation goes. Also when taking the screws off of the Titan X (on the top of the PCB), be sure to not strip the screws and be ready in case some do not want to get out due to the loctite. My friend was over the day I installed the block on the card and he helped me grip the screws  he pressed down on the screwdriver) and we eventually got a good grip without stripping the sucker. Also be sure NOT to scratch the PCB at all, so take your time with it and you'll be good.
 
In regards to other watercooling parts, http://www.overclock.net/f/61/water-cooling the stickies and other posts will most likely be beneficial to you. As far as radiators go, if you only plan on cooling your GPU, a 240 radiator would do fine. As far as sites that are good for this sort of thing: http://www.performance-pcs.com/ , http://www.aquatuning.us/ , https://www.dazmode.com/store/ , http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/ , http://www.xoxide.com/ , and sometimes even Amazon.
 
But basically you will need this: pump, radiator(s), waterblock(s), tubing (acrylic, plastic, copper/chrome pipe), fittings (that match tubing size, also barbs or compression fittings), reservoir, distilled water, and some type of biocide to prevent algae and preserve your blocks. Mayhems branded solutions have served me well over the years and they range from clear, to dark colors and even lighter ones. Also have some shop towels or anything to absorb water in case of a leak (test the PC when the loop is done for a few hours, most say 12-24 hours but for me, I usually do 4-6 or so and inspect the fittings).
 
Invest in a PSU jumper as well so testing the PC is easier and it also allows you to "run" the pumps without electricity pumping through your other components (so long as you don't have them plugged into the PC). The old fashioned method is using a paper clip like this : https://images.search.yah...illa&hsimp=yhs-002
 
 I probably missed some stuff but I think I touched on most of it. Do plenty of research before committing to this and ask questions on OCN.net or here about certain brands. As far as pump brands go, I've been using Swiftech (MCP35x) and the 655 for a while and both are excellent. I think Swiftech introduced a new pump recently (MCP350x I think, may be wrong though) and as far as rads go, do with whatever appeals to you as most rads will always be 1-4 C within each other depending on fan configurations. Also as far as radiator fans go, Scythe AP-15's 120mm are still top performances as far as static pressure and noise levels. Unsure about 140mm fans, but it all depends on your case if you can have 120mm based rads, or 140mm based ones.

Hey!
 
This was very enlightening. I thought i would be somewhat "simple" but i think it's not the case. Since i'm new to gpu watercooling this is complicated to me. Although after reading your "links" and what you said, it helps alot. Think i'll go for an AiO, there have been talks with EVGA for an AiO for the titan x (the 980 hybrid cooler seems to fit). I'll keep an eye out for that too. Thank you very much for your time guys.
 
Max

CoercionShaman
His list was much better than mine.  I also can't post links.  But there is a great start!

I've been doing this for longer than I thought I would haha. I remember when I first attempted watercooling on my X58 Classified. Was very terrifying at first but all went well and at this point I can never go back to air cooled rigs, apart from something around a 750ti as that card in my experience was incredible in terms of temperature even during folding sessions.

Avenger411
 
 
Hey!
 
This was very enlightening. I thought i would be somewhat "simple" but i think it's not the case. Since i'm new to gpu watercooling this is complicated to me. Although after reading your "links" and what you said, it helps alot. Think i'll go for an AiO, there have been talks with EVGA for an AiO for the titan x (the 980 hybrid cooler seems to fit). I'll keep an eye out for that too. Thank you very much for your time guys.
 
Max

Well, after a few years and tries it does become very simple, like anything else we do over time. The hard part is the beginning, but enough research and reading what others say (always take it with a grain of salt, and compare to what others are saying tp verify) can do a world of good. I almost watercooled my socket 775 rig years ago (2008ish) but I held back as I wasn't comfortable with it. Next year I did it with my X58 system. 
 
The AiO coolers are not bad, they can reach temps similar to what a full custom loop can, but be wary as they typically only cool the GPU core, not the memory chips or Voltage regulators. http://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/138-kraken-g10-gpu-bracket.html
 
The system from NZXT works very nicely as it still has a fan cooling the Voltage regulators and using an AiO to cool the GPU core. Standard copper/aluminium heatsinks are perfect for the RAM chips on the underside.
 
The hybrid 980 cooler does fit on the Titan X, but maybe in due time EVGA will consider making a different shroud so that it displays it's a Titan X and not a 980, but both the NZXT and the EVGA system are very good. I think the NZXT option gives you the chance to use a 240 rad system of theirs, and not be singled out to a 120mm but that all depends on case constraints and mounting. More radiator space means more heat dissipation which may translate to lower temps of 50C or lower depending on ambients. If I lived in a cooler area my temps would be under 40C for heavy loads, but due to high ambients and pumping 1.255v ointo my Titan X it gets to around 52C with 2 240mm radiators, a ram block (unneeded really, mainly for looks), and a CPU block cooling a 4790k that I de-lidded (also a fun experience if you ask me :p). 

CoercionShaman
The only reason I haven't ordered is the time involved and complexity in water cooling.  I watch for the 980 AIO to come in stock as well.  If it appears before I pull the trigger on the WC equipment, I would like to give it a shot.  And an X version would be excellent.
 
Best of luck, Max.

It can be time consuming and complex, but for some of us it gives us something like a challenge or just a nice time waster. Why it took me a few hours to mount everything and then bend the 10mm copper pipe (most use acrylic or plastic tubing, I'm just weird lol) on my current system, but it's something I wanted to spend time on. Someday I would love to sleeve and make my own custom length cables for my power supply like some do, but I don't know if I have that kind of patience. 

Thing with a custom loop is it can be expensive, but that is what it is, "custom". Just like with a car, custom parts tend to be more expensive than the mainstream, same story with AiO vs. a full loop. Benefits of a AiO is if it leaks, a company like Corsair would reimburse you for the components lost, and with a custom loop it's basically on your time so be wary of possible leaks and weak points. I've had a few "sleeper" leaks that didn't show themselves until later on, days after I set up but they were in spots where it didn't effect much. 


I'm trying to tell my friend to go the AiO route as well due to cost and ease of use, but he still wants to go full custom like my PC is. Mainly on his GPU, as that is the loudest fan in his system (EVGA 970 ACX 2.0) and the biggest contributor to heat in his case. 

CoercionShaman
The only reason I haven't ordered is the time involved and complexity in water cooling.  I watch for the 980 AIO to come in stock as well.  If it appears before I pull the trigger on the WC equipment, I would like to give it a shot.  And an X version would be excellent.
 
Best of luck, Max.

It can be time consuming and complex, but for some of us it gives us something like a challenge or just a nice time waster. Why it took me a few hours to mount everything and then bend the 10mm copper pipe (most use acrylic or plastic tubing, I'm just weird lol) on my current system, but it's something I wanted to spend time on. Someday I would love to sleeve and make my own custom length cables for my power supply like some do, but I don't know if I have that kind of patience. 

Thing with a custom loop is it can be expensive, but that is what it is, "custom". Just like with a car, custom parts tend to be more expensive than the mainstream, same story with AiO vs. a full loop. Benefits of a AiO is if it leaks, a company like Corsair would reimburse you for the components lost, and with a custom loop it's basically on your time so be wary of possible leaks and weak points. I've had a few "sleeper" leaks that didn't show themselves until later on, days after I set up but they were in spots where it didn't effect much. 


I'm trying to tell my friend to go the AiO route as well due to cost and ease of use, but he still wants to go full custom like my PC is. Mainly on his GPU, as that is the loudest fan in his system (EVGA 970 ACX 2.0) and the biggest contributor to heat in his case. 


I always enjoyed doing the water cooling.  I did my first WC on an ati X800 where a friend who worked at a machine shop fabricated the block for me (he had made one previously for himself).  It was nerve wracking and rewarding all in the same moment.  I continued with it for a few systems after and helping others with theirs.  I haven't been able to do any systems in the last several years because of job locations.  That would now mean a full investment for me in both time and money and I don't have the familiarity with the manufacturers, either.  I can still feel that itch, though.  I want to do it.  But then there are also all of the benefits you mentioned the AIO coolers.  I put in a Seidon 240 CPU AIO on my last build.  It was my first AIO and I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised.
 
We will see if I scratch the itch.  It will mostly depend on how long it takes the AIO from EVGA to come in stock, and whether or not my wife says enough is enough for a little while.

Avenger411
Does the 980hybrid cooler actually fits 100% on the titan x ? Has that been confirmed or just "talks" ?

Max

It has been confirmed by EVGA and there are pictures from a user that did it to three of them already.  Search GeForce GTX 980 HYBRID! or scroll down a bit in the posts and read through that.

According to what I have read in other threads, no.  You would have to simply put it back to original if you had to RMA it.  You can search that as well or someone else can confirm for you.

Avenger411
Seen it thx. Is this installation voiding the warranty offered by evga?

Max

No, as long as you keep the Stock Cooler to put back on if you ever need to RMA it back to EVGA.

I will be glad when I can post links.

 
Lets see if it works this time.

xarot
The AIO looks very nice indeed, but I'd want one with a Titan X name on the shroud...I'm very picky with things like this :)
 
I had a Radeon 295X2 which had an AIO cooling, the only drawback is that it can be a real PITA to mount the radiator, fan and hoses if you already have an AIO on the CPU. Then SLI on those things will be a hose nightmare unless you have plenty of mount points in your case. :D
 
I've had both custom water cooling and multiple AIOs, and now as a father of a 3-month old baby boy, I just don't have the time to maintain a custom loop these days, so I'm using 360mm AIO on CPU and air cooling on GPUs. Water cooling can do wonders when overclocking and bringing the noise and temps down on both CPU and GPUs, but I think in the long run AIOs are much less troublesome. GPUs generally can benefit more from custom water cooling if done properly. Custom loop will be less a 'set and forget' solution and draining, flushing, cleaning...takes a lot of time.
 
So water cooling will be a completely different story and there's not usually a correct way to do it, because it's made by you. Most likely you'll do some mistakes first time or use parts you don't want to use second time. For example in my case I went full blown WC with CPU+3 GPUs and within few months I had some algae in my loop, a few poor fittings, poor bay reservoir and nickel flaked off from my GPU blocks even when I tried to do everything properly and used proper liquids. The second time I did everything better, but decided to take everything apart due to time issues. These days I can do with less overclocking and more gaming if I ever have some time after the long days at work and the baby.
 
One thing I have to say, if you are only going to WC one part, like one CPU or one GPU only, it will be VERY, VERY simple loop after all, as you can usually do with less parts, less maintaining. :) Water cooling will be very fun too if you have the time and funds to do it properly, if you have never water cooled you haven't really seen the whole story with this hobby. If you go for it just research carefully and if needed start with a good kit that comes with a good pump and radiator, and start from there, as you probably will want to setup things your way later on.

I would say then to get your art paint brush out.
Or you could pay someone to create a metal label to cover the GTX 980 and then EVGA might Create one too.

I used the Thermaltake Pacific RL240 Water Cooling Kit and EK water block to cool my Titan X SC it's a bit on the expensive side ($300)but if you have the room it's in all in one solution and top quality water cooling.  It does also come with a CPU block but I am not using it yet. It knocked my temps down to 45C max and 26C idle with no extra blower fan noise. 

Thanks, $300 for the water cooling kit but I should have mentioned then about $160 for block and backplate so really $460 but still not bad for the quality and does come with a cpu block also.