Liquid cooled video worth it?

Is it worth it depends on the view of the person you're asking.

liquid cooling the gpu helps as much as it does with the cpu. the temp difference between air and liquid should be a good 10C or more difference.

Air cooling will make them run a lot hotter and a lot louder. But you'll probably need to have DS make any upgrades in the future with WC.

You really don't need 3 280's, you could save a ton and get 260 core 216's instead, the FPS difference is -1 on most games.

Personally, I would go with 2 watercooled 4870 X2's. They will offer the absolute best performance since you'll be able to squeeze a sizable amount of juice out of them with some OCing. If you have the cash, go for it. Otherwise I'd suggest the 260's.

I agree that I could build a decent computer for around $3000. Normally that's all I would go for. In fact, I don't think I've ever spent more than $3500 on a computer in my life (and I've owned about a dozen).

However, dropping the price from $5500 to $3000 would require the following changes to my configuration:

* A case that I don't like as much
* Slower CPU
* Slower memory
* Smaller power supply
* Slower hard drive
* 1 less video card
* No liquid cooling
* Less over-clocking

It would be a decent system, but not a FANTASTIC system. Plus I really do think 3-way SLI is worth it. I like to play games at 2560 x 1600 with 4xAA, and the 3rd video card frequently pushes the framerate well into the playable range. Just look at these benchmarks:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i7-gaming,2061-11.html

I also thought about saving money on the computer case, cooling system, power supply, and hard drive. However, I started to realize that those items are more of a long term investment. They don't get replaced as often, and thus it's worthwhile to invest in what I want. For example, I'll probably hang onto the case and cooling system for 5 years or more, and just replace the motherboard, cpu, and video cards from time to time.

Anyway, that's my thinking.

James

Liquid cooling doesn't improve framerates. It just helps to keep the card cooler. You could easily get a card that is able to overclock to 750mhz and you could also easily get a card that would be stuck at 650mhz.

I believe Digital Storm just use EVGA's HC16 or BFG's H2OC ones which come pre-assembled with the water cooling block to save themselves all the hassle. It is possible to replace the water block with a heatsink but you would have to get one yourself probably.

Originally posted by Rad!caL Air cooling will make them run a lot hotter and a lot louder. But you'll probably need to have DS make any upgrades in the future with WC.You really don't need 3 280's, you could save a ton and get 260 core 216's instead, the FPS difference is -1 on most games.Personally, I would go with 2 watercooled 4870 X2's. They will offer the absolute best performance since you'll be able to squeeze a sizable amount of juice out of them with some OCing. If you have the cash, go for it. Otherwise I'd suggest the 260's.

I like the 4870 X2, except it seems to have some problems with Tomb Raider Underworld. I was using a dual 4870 X2 system last week, and the framerate was about 100 until Lara turned on her flashlight underwater. That caused the framerate to drop to 20! Eeek.

lol at that price it better be doing that. also the 260s there I believe are not the core 216.

Edited by DST4ME - 29 Nov 2008 at 8:59pm

Originally posted by DST4ME lol at that price it better be doing that. also the 260s there I believe are not the core 216.

? dual 4870 X2's are $200+ cheaper than triple 280's...

Originally posted by skyR I must be blind because the 4870X2 comes no where near the triple-SLI GTX 280 in Crysis..

Yes it beats the tri-sli 280's in 2560 x 1600. The OP said he wants to play games at 2560 x 1600 with 4xAA.

you said "4870 X2 beats tri-SLI", you didn't mention anything about dual 4870 X2 or CrossfireX -.-

but ya dual 4870 X2 does beat tri-SLI GTX 280 at the highest resolution.

I have just a few more obsessive questions about liquid video cooling. :)

1) Suppose I get liquid cooled video cards and I want to upgrade them a year from now. Do you know what DSO will charge to install the new cards? Their web site claims that labor is free if you purchase the upgrade through them. However, they don't sell the liquid cooled cards, so I guess I would have to pay for labor.

2) It looks like video cooling requires an extra radiator on the back of the machine (judging from pictures I saw on the DSO web site.) Does anyone know how deep that radiator is? I'm worried about running out of space under my desk.

Thanks again,

James

Yup I am starting to regret the liquid cooled GPUs because of the added work. Being in a wheelchair makes it hard to sling my PC around and do the work I used to do on it I always have to call someone to come over and help me out even to send the thing back to DS requires alot on my end thats the only reason why other than that liquid is superior to fan cooling any day.

Edited by paraguy1 - 06 Dec 2008 at 1:56pm