8800GT Block design discussion thread

[iandh]

My 8800GT should be in from step-up tomorrow or the day after, I just got the tracking number tonight and eVGA is about two hours away from me so usually next day.

I have been much too busy to do any type of proper testing on the cpu block I built. I do know that it keeps my cpu very cool, somewhere around 8C over ambient. Honestly, being that most of the systems I see in this forum are using core2/quad cpu's I don't really see any useful point in designing and testing a block around an AMD X2 right now. Also, I don't feel that I can offer the blocks cheaply enough to compensate for money I could be earning working OT at my day job. I see no point in rehashing versions of cpu blocks that are already commercially available, or were available at some time in the past. There are only so many logical ways to build a cpu waterblock, and honestly there is a theoretical limit to the amount of heat which can be transmitted in the block/ihs (or core) junction, which already is very close to being reached by this newest generation of waterblocks now available IMO. I think that we all have to accept the fact that from this point on the design of new waterblocks will probably experience greatly diminishing returns compared those improvements found in the past.

I feel that my effort is much better spent in the gpu area at this time. I will be designing either a full coverage or block/unisink combo specifically for the 8800GT, which will hopefully go into prototype production by this weekend.

My machining capabilites are limitless, I can do wavy lines, diamond pins, dimples, whatever. I tend to drift towards the copper/brass block w/aluminum unisink direction mainly so the block is reusable/exchangable. I could just design a different unisink which could be quickly and cheaply machined from aluminum. Please share with me your ideas for the "perfect" gpu waterblock. All suggestions are welcome. Looks wise I lean towards something like the Koosah, practicality wise the swiftech stealth.

[RyGuy]

The problem with this card is the Vreg chips. They are in the damndest place. I have been thinking about this myself for a while and I think the best option would be a block to cover the memory and GPU and then a seperate block, or air cooler to cover the Vreg chips.

I boxed the Vreg chips in on this picture, you can see there are 3 sets of 3 chips.

You can see there are other chips and things blocking easy access to the chips from the GPU/memory area.

[CyberDruid]

I like the BlastFlow design by Vadim.

But cnsidering I will have an 8800GT here shortly I want to ut my name in the hat for anything you come up with

[afzsom]

LOL. I can see it now: "New! 8800GT Full Coverage Waterblock, CD Edition"

Seriously though, I like the ideas and creativity you have iandh, can't wait to see what you can come up with!

[iandh]

All I know is no procrastinating on this one because I told myself I don't get to try out the card until I've completed a block for it. (i may cheat)

edit: The top of the card is kind of a mess. I need to get it in hand before I really know what is practical, but anyone's suggestions are as good as mine at the moment.

If I am careful with the design I may be able to do a run of 10-20 or so for this forum at a reasonable price.

[ira-k]

Sounds like fun...Really your right about the CPU blocks, like fstfrddy says water can only take you so low...Theres a lot of truth in that to...I know jack about GPU blocks so I'll just watch this one...

[RyGuy]

Wow, that's a tall order. I think it will be a lot easier once you actually have the card and can take measurements off it and physically manipulate the card. I find it a lot easier to design off something I can physically hold than off a picture.

I think a pin design over the core would be better than a wavy line design like the EX blocks though. Either that, or a high arc design, like an extreme airplane wing.

What I am getting at is making the water travel a longer distance from A to B rather than going straight. I will try to animate it. . .

flow out
^^
))))
^^
flow in

Sort of like the EK wave, but more fins and a more extreme arc.

This would make more restriction, but better performance in a full cover block I think.

[iandh]

It looks like there are a couple of good mounting holes near the voltage regulators. I am thinking maybe a block somewhat like the MCW60 but with an aluminum heatsink which is coupled to it, making it a semi-FC block. If the vreg and mem hs's were polished aluminum and the gpu block was polished brass the two-tone could look pretty sweet, and I don't think it would be incredibly difficult to pull off.

Overall looks wise I will always lean towards a single piece copper block though, with mem cooling channels.

[RyGuy]

If only you could make heatpipes. . .

Those would be perfect for the Vreg chips. Are you thinking of something like Vadim's Blastflow plate? Here:


http://forum.vadim.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=14565

[Martinm210]

Since you have CNC, you might as well have some fun with a nice meandering channel. The only thing about the existing channel blocks like EK/DD is the relatively small amount of surface area directly over the GPU area.

You really don't need much in terms of pins/surface area/turbulence on the other chips.

In general I would just find a way to enter on one side, and snake your way back and fort to get coverage over the chips, and then concentrate and force all of the water over a nice tight pin matrix as it runs over the GPU area and keep the base thickness relatively thin like less than .100".

I've also always been curious what you could do with a 1/32" end mill on pins. It would probably take all day to mill, but it would be neat to see some micro pins with a raindrop shape to them. The tool path would probably be a nightmare, but raindrop shaped pins would be interesting and it's a good profile to minimize eddies and pocketing of flow from sharp pin sections.

Other than that, if you're going to do some sort of cool interior design, you might as well use 1/2" lexan or something to show it off..