[Official] Chmod Labs Sigma_Cool nVidia & AMD Closed Loop LC GPU Mount

Install video:


This is the official thread to host conversation relative to the Sigma_Cool GPU mount adapter for the Antec Khuler 620 and Khuler 920 for use with reference nVidia and AMD graphics cards. This thread will be used to prototype and test revisions of the mount and showcase updates. The main focus of developing this simple mount is to improve upon the efforts of "The Mod" thread featuring a method of mounting that uses multiple zip ties to secure the cooler to the graphics cards. This method is unreliable, provides poor contact with the GPU die (since it's hard to level the cooler), is generally unstable (making GPU adjustments and cleaning tedious and inconvenient), along with stressing the PCB in a way that could eventually cause the GPU to fail prematurely. This laser cut bracket will provide unparalleled stability and die contact with the the graphics card PCB and will make the process of mounting closed loop liquid coolers simple and quick.
So if your interested in purchasing a GPU cooler mount, have recommendations for a future product or just have some feedback please post to this thread!

All updates and beta releases of the mount will also be announced through this thread!

if you have specific or highly individual questions please send me a PM and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.

Here is the new [OFFICIAL] order form for all Sigma_Cool Mounts -> Order HERE

All Kepler cards are now supported! The best part is you can still retain the use of your stock VRM / Memory cooler to maintain the warranty on your kepler cards! nVidia GTX GeForce GTX 670, 660ti and 660 are supported!

Radeon 69xx and 78xx and 79xx cards are now supported by the new "Sigma_Cool MK.2 R" mount!



Thanks guys,
- Chmodlabs

UPDATES DOWN HERE:

Update 1 - Test card received

Update 2 - First Designs Finished

Update 3 - First prototype complete

Update 4 - Build Images (laser cutter)

Update 5 - Plastic and mounting hardware received

Update 6 - FINAL RELEASE OF SIGMA_COOL

Update 7 - Pricing announced for original Sigma_Cool mount.
Edited by chmodlabs - 1/11/13 at 10:31pm

Prototype renderings will be up soon (basic sketchup designs), as for pricing it just depends on what the prototype ends up being, based on the materials I know will be used so far, the price will more than likely be between $18 to $50
- Chmodlabs

I have actually been really interested in doing some kind of back-plate for the cooler mount, it turns out it would only increase the cost of the mount kit by 6%. It would allow for the bracket to distribute stress more evenly and result in a very stable platform for the water cooler. In regards to the PCB stress from "The Mod" zip tie method, this mainly pertains to the zipties applying uneven force to areas around the PCB. This becomes more of a problem when the Khuler radiator is mounted where tubing has to be routed at an odd angle from the card itself. Even if the metal ram and vrm cooler is used this still results in tortion on the pcb. This is potentially a chronic way to slowly degrade and stress solder points under the vram modules mounted right around the gpu. Not to mention that the zip ties used in "The Mod" stretch and have to be tightened. One force that's completely vertical is better than 4 independent forces that are in most cases not vertical.

Green boxes cover vram ~ blue arrows show stress vectors caused by "The Mod" zip tie method



Thanks for your interest,
- Chmodlabs

$50 is a theoretical max, only if orders total to around 3 would the price be that high, but already I have a few more than 3 so I wouldn't worry about the price being that high. Also I would like to add that this entire mount will be laser cut out of 3/8" and 1/4" solid acrylic. It has a very high tensile strength and looks great too. I will look at the noctua backplate for inspiration, it looks like a good design.
- chmodlabs

If I can get a set of good instructions for proper gpu mount measurements yes. I plan to create revisions of the adapter for all gtx 400 and 500 series cards along with some radeon 6900 and 6800 cards. And hopefully someone is willing to donate some kepler measurements once those cards are rolled out.
- chmodlabs