My R9 290 Waterblock Modding Project!

[X-powerman]

My waterblock is here!!!

Unfortunately, it won't fit my MSI card due to different PCB revision. There are no full cover waterblocks available for this card, so the only way is to try and mod it to fit.

Fortunately, I think its not that hard to mod.

First step is to file down the edge in the red square to make it fit..... Looks good. Copper block able to fit now. Very tedious work...I was using a hand file to slowly file down the copper....

The grey marks shows where the caps are hitting the cover. I use the EK supplied thermal grease for pain markers...lol

Going to get my drill press and drill holes for the cover. NEed to go slow so I wont crack the plastic cover.

To be continued.......

 

[X-powerman]

Btw, I think its also possible to reuse the stock back plate. But need longer screws. going to source for it tomorrow.

 

[Yureak]

Btw, I think its also possible to reuse the stock back plate. But need longer screws. going to source for it tomorrow.

Wrong section dude

 

[GeForce]

nice.. can use wet sandpaper to smoothen after filing.
sadly cannot buff.

 

[X-powerman]

nice.. can use wet sandpaper to smoothen after filing.
sadly cannot buff.

The area for the CPU and RAM not very good though. Can feel the ridges from the machining. Its not really flat. But then, still OK. I just finished the mod.

Temp is 49C in furmark. Not too bad. I have to use thick pads for the VRM though.

 

[royfrosty]

The area for the CPU and RAM not very good though. Can feel the ridges from the machining. Its not really flat. But then, still OK. I just finished the mod.

Temp is 49C in furmark. Not too bad. I have to use thick pads for the VRM though.

Do be careful on furmark testing bro. Well known to cook vrms.

 

[X-powerman]

Do be careful on furmark testing bro. Well known to cook vrms.

Hi! Thanks for the advice. I think VRM is still ok. ITs not burning but just hot when I touch back of the card. Hotter than the core.

There is no backplate to cool the back of the card so maybe thats why. The stock back plate has a thermal pad at the VRM area to conduct the heat to the back plate.

I think I will need to get screws that could fit.

 

[royfrosty]

Hi! Thanks for the advice. I think VRM is still ok. ITs not burning but just hot when I touch back of the card. Hotter than the core.

There is no backplate to cool the back of the card so maybe thats why. The stock back plate has a thermal pad at the VRM area to conduct the heat to the back plate.

I think I will need to get screws that could fit.

Monitor using gpuZ it will tell you what is the vrms temp. On stock cooler tested that the furmark, the vrms can go as high as 99deg.

Yes you need exactly the screws that came with your blocks. But with slightly a longer one.

 

[X-powerman]

Monitor using gpuZ it will tell you what is the vrms temp. On stock cooler tested that the furmark, the vrms can go as high as 99deg.

Yes you need exactly the screws that came with your blocks. But with slightly a longer one.

Yes, the VRM is crazy on the stock card. I just test run in CF mode. The stock card almost burnt my fingers. OK, the waterblock does work. The back of the card is hot but still bearable. I can put my finger there for 5s still ok. GPUZ says 56C but I don't know how accurate it is.

Maybe I just need to improve the VRM cooling a little to improve lifespan of the card.

 

[royfrosty]

Yes, the VRM is crazy on the stock card. I just test run in CF mode. The stock card almost burnt my fingers. OK, the waterblock does work. The back of the card is hot but still bearable. I can put my finger there for 5s still ok. GPUZ says 56C but I don't know how accurate it is.

Maybe I just need to improve the VRM cooling a little to improve lifespan of the card.

Use a thicker thermal pad to transfer the heat over to the blocks.

Good stuffs. Jy! Keep the moding spirit up.

 

[X-powerman]

Use a thicker thermal pad to transfer the heat over to the blocks.

Good stuffs. Jy! Keep the moding spirit up.

Lol Thanks for the encouragement!!

Been a long long time since I am into computers and its sure fun!!

Btw, just ordered a 300W peltier from ebay. Going back to peltier cooling again, lol!!! Going to try it on my CPU and see if I could get to that 5GHz mark (just 200MHz away).

 

[Yureak]

Lol Thanks for the encouragement!!

Been a long long time since I am into computers and its sure fun!!

Btw, just ordered a 300W peltier from ebay. Going back to peltier cooling again, lol!!! Going to try it on my CPU and see if I could get to that 5GHz mark (just 200MHz away).

Thicker thermal pad doesnt mean better. Can get the Fujipoly Ultra Extreme off FCPU. The highest thermal conductivity vs any other pad

 

[Yureak]

Lol Thanks for the encouragement!!

Been a long long time since I am into computers and its sure fun!!

Btw, just ordered a 300W peltier from ebay. Going back to peltier cooling again, lol!!! Going to try it on my CPU and see if I could get to that 5GHz mark (just 200MHz away).

Careful with condensation. Peltier is sub ambient so water will condense around the socket,

 

[GeForce]

5GHz on CPU with Quad-CF?

 

[X-powerman]

Careful with condensation. Peltier is sub ambient so water will condense around the socket,

Thanks for the advice!!

Yup, I do feel believe there will be condensation issues. PReviously I use tar tape and close cell foam to insulate. Now I am trying to make something that looks nice. Something like a plastic cover to seal up so the tape and foam is not visible.

 

[Op_Valkyrie]

How much u paying for 300w peltier?

 

[X-powerman]

How much u paying for 300w peltier?

Very cheap just USD20...from ebay one...lol.

400W 12V Thermoelectric Cooler Peltier Plate Tec New | eBay

Its rated at 400W but at 12V it will only give a little over 300W. I think its good enough for 4790K.

 

[Op_Valkyrie]

Very cheap just USD20...from ebay one...lol.

400W 12V Thermoelectric Cooler Peltier Plate Tec New | eBay

Its rated at 400W but at 12V it will only give a little over 300W. I think its good enough for 4790K.

wow... gd to know... jia you for your project bro!

 

[clon22]

Thanks for the advice!!

Yup, I do feel believe there will be condensation issues. PReviously I use tar tape and close cell foam to insulate. Now I am trying to make something that looks nice. Something like a plastic cover to seal up so the tape and foam is not visible.

Need help with insulation let me know.