I've pretty much used my GPU for 5 years straight. This morning I turned on my PC and it was making an EXTREMELY loud noise. After researching it for a bit, I realized my pump may have finally gone out. I tried multiple configurations and my radiator has always been above my card (mounted to the back of the case). Even still, I moved it around, tried to get it working and the card just wasn't cooling, even idle.
I read on a few other posts that the Kraken G12 is a replacement kit for this card, but I noticed that there is a copper plate on what appears to be the VRAM. The main part of the AIO is beveled and looks to be sitting on the plate and the GPU. If I get the Kraken, it appears that I can only get a flat surface AIO. I am assuming the copper plate is necessary, but don't know that for sure. Has anyone else replaced it and did it work?