Adding to my watercooling

Friday I am looking at closing the deal on one of these for my system. Being that my case doesn't provide the best airflow my cards run hot. Typically the top GTX570 in my SLI runs hot. During BC2 it runs upwards of 72*C, Vietnam it runs upwards of 78*C and in Eve it runs 80*C +. We haven't hit our normal summer temps so these temps will get increasingly higher. I've been lucky enough that room temps have stayed between 25-30*C.

I already have my 2600k under a custom loop and adding in a graphics card waterblock will be easy. Plus its the first stage of my next water cooling set up. Looking at upgrading to a Caselabs case also. Then I can keep all my water cooling internal and out of the reach of my 3 year old!


Case Labs
MAGNUM MH10
Base Price: $439.95
Size: 15"W x 19.06"H x 26.06"D (381mm x 484mm x 662mm)
PCI Slots: 10
Form Factor: HPTX (SR-2: 13.6" x 15.0")
Max Radiator Size: 120.4(480mm)
Flex-Bays (5.25ā€): 10
HDD Capacity: 12 (24 using Flex-Bays)
Extras: Extended Ventilated top

If anyone wants pics of the case take a look over here. This is pretty much the exact case I am ordering!

i say its a good idea.

Its official, just ordered the water block..... Now I just gotta wait till it gets here....

After putting my second graphics card in a few days ago and the subsequent heat strokes I've nearly suffered because of it, I truly miss my zalman reserator.
I envy your rig!

What's the best (easiest) way to find the temperature of the cards

What's the best (easiest) way to find the temperature of the cards

You can either use SpeedFan, or download the Windows 7 Desktop Gadget "GPU Observer." GPU Observer always sits on your sidebar as long as it's running and shows your temp, clock speed and fan rpm. The center gadget in this picture is GPU Observer. Above it is All CPU Meter, and below is Network Meter (monitoring my internet usage). Note that to get All CPU Meter and (I think) GPU Observer to read temps you have to download Core Temp. Core Temp is a program that reads the CPU core temperatures, and it can be minimized to the system tray so it's out of the way.

Thanks CS, you always come though with this stuff. I downloaded the gadgets and they work great. GPU @ 34 C @ idle. I'll have to check it ingame and see if more cooling is in order. Again, thanks

No prob. Just alt+tab out of the game to see it, or use a second monitor, whichever you prefer.

I used to do the same thing.

No prob. Just alt+tab out of the game to see it, or use a second monitor, whichever you prefer.

Tried it in game and the GPU is 47 c & CB 46 c is that ok, it's about 75 deg F here in L.A.

Those temps are great. My case doesnt allow for good airflow so my top card runs hot. I use MSI Afterburner to keep tabs on my GPUs. Another good one is GPU-Z. I also use Real Temp when cranking up my over clock to keep tabs on my CPU temps. CPU-Z is also in my stable of software!

Well the GPU water block came in! This thing must weigh 2-3 lbs all on its own! Going to mock up some sort of support bracket for it. Don't need to be breaking any of my PCI-E slots with this! Probably get around to installing it this weekend and giving it a good testing!

Let us know the result.

Interested to know what the difference is

Well I started out by taking my top 570 out.


Then I disassembled the card in preparation for the water block.




Put the fittings on the GPU block.






Put the new thermal compound on.


Then I installed the block on the card.


And last but not least Installed it back into the system and took the next umpteen hours bleeding the air out of my water loop.




Final results, my gpu temp has lowered by 40* C playing Eve online. I use to see 84* C in game now I am having a hard time getting it hotter then 43* C! I am very happy with my results! Hoping that in the next two weeks I will have enough saved up for a second water block for my second 570!