Hi guys,
this monday my 2080 ti will be here from evga step up program, my question is what you guys do when the card arrived, you guys tried it first with stock cooler or just slapped it with the waterblock and take it from there? 
the reason i ask I am doing custom loop with hard tubing is gonna be pain just to measure and arrange the tube twice. thanks guys

dwexpress
Yes I believe I would give it some thorough testing before putting the block on it.

 100%

Test, test & more testing ---> 2 weeks or longer of running hard
 
 

Absolutely test first.....doesnt take me long to drain and remove Cards...so 2 weeks is "a bit over the top imho".....couple of days....loop some graphic benchmarks, including graphic stress testing....if all good...blocks on ;)

jasoncodispoti
I did a hard tube build recently with a liquid cooled CPU and EVGA RTX 2080ti FTW3 Ultra Hydro Copper (block pre-installed). Basically what I did before running all of the tubes was added two pieces of hard tube that were about 2 inches in length to both the CPU and GPU block, filled both blocks with distilled water using a small funnel. Than I powered on the PC to make sure that it would post and than powered it back down.
 
That being said it is not difficult to remove the hard tubing once its in place. IMO its a lot easier to remove hard tubing than it is soft tubing. You do not have to re-cut new tubes every time you take the loop apart... The "hard part" is draining the loop, but a well designed/placed drain port will make draining the loop take about 10 minutes. I installed a "T" valve in a hidden area of my loop (also lowest part of the loop) and than added a small length of soft tubing coming off of the "T" with a ball valve on the end. This allows me to open the left side of my case access the soft tube open the valve and drain the whole thing with ease. 
 
WARNING: DO NOT OPERATE THE PC FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME USING THE ABOVE METHOD ABOVE YOU COULD POSSIBLY DAMAGE YOUR PC. ALLOW THE PC TO POST AND IMMEDIATELY TURN THE PC OFF.

The OP is asking if he should test his Air Cooled Cards prior to installing the WB's and substantial testing (not to just to Post)....obviously pre-installed WB's you have no choice.....nothing I see easier using hard tube vs flex tube with anything...HT looks better but certainly not easier..I can test my SLi GPU's by simply isolating them from my loop and using a spare pump / rez...dont have to remove em.....couple of short chunks of flex hose and done deal....
....but prior to remving Stock Air Cooler and installing Blocks I put em in a spare board and test running benches......
 
....anyhow, all good stuff here!

Just test it for a run of 3dmark and good.. then good enough.

flie
Thank you for all your reply guys. the reason i don't want to do it twice ( test it with stock cooler then slapped it waterblock) because i have couple tubing left. right now my loop order RAD==>CPU==>GPU(1080 ftw)==>RES==>RAD.If I run stock cooler (2080 TI) then my loop order RAD==>CPU==>(longer new tube)RES==>RAD. 
Then later after everything Checked out I have to use new tube again from CPU==>(new tube)GPU==>(new tube)RES. 
that the reason i don't want to do it twice. Just in case you guys wondering i have core P90 case . Thanks again guys
 

Is it flex tube or hardline? If its flex tube it shouldnt be a big deal to by-pass the GPU and use a couple of longer lengths as you described.... Hardline would be a pita for sure....
Youre going to have to drain the Loop regardless.....I have a cheap ($89) Corsair 120mm AIO Cooler just for this purpose..if you dont want to run longer tubes to by-pass GPU you could:
- Drain the Loop
- Remove the CPU Block (even leave your flex tubing on the block and zap strap it off to the side if room) and replace with a cheap AIO (no need to mount the rad properly if you can zap strap it temporarily to the side of the case as well), doeasnt look pretty but only temporary for testing purposes.
- Install Air Cooled Card to test and youre all set
After all these years of running a Custom loop I have a spare AIO....even a spare pump / rez combo,,,so I can get creative testing Cards, but I'm also fortunate enough to have an older X79 / 3930K, PSU with RAM and drives, so I just set up a "test bench"......
...of course you could just go with "hope and a prayer" and install the new WB and go for it.(not recommended but not a big deal when things work out)...I've done this as well ....."usually" everything works out fine....if your comfortable removing Stock Air Cooler and installing the WB its no big deal to remove install a few times....I also do this every few yrs to clean out gunk build-up in the Blocks themselves.....
...Im like you, I get a new Card and get impatient, just want to get it in under water and start testing ...benching and playing around.....get the thing apart and just see how bad the Stock TIM has been applied from the factory ;)