How to Mount a GPU Block

[Fibbles]

I really appreciate the how to thread on the CPU block, so I decided to ask about GPU mounting. I have an Alphacool GPX-A (for Radeons). It came with the block and 2 plug and cool fittings. For mounting, it had 2 small steel washers, 2 fat rubber washers (they were sort of rounded), 2 thumbscrews and, 2 bolts. The first time I assembled it, I put the bolts through the front of the cooler, through the mounting holes and seperated the mounting brackets from hitting the bolts with a steel washer. On the backside, I put the rubber things on and then tightened them down with 2 round thumb screws. So... did I do it right? :confused:

The upper left bracket piece looks a little bent, implying that there is sufficient pressure, but the bottom right bracket mount is straight. The block doesnt wobble, but if I twist it gently, it moves a bit. I've been using it like that, but I'd rather be sure it's on right instead of relying on a possible wrong.

[Knipex]

sounds fine to me.

[Pug]

I've been meaning to do one for GPU blocks - my 9800 Pro came with one of those Arctic Cooling jobbies though, so I thought (given time) I'd see how far I could clock it and then see how much further water would get me.

In the grand scale of things though, it hasn't happened and I'm sure a review site will do a similar comparison eventually so I'll probably just switch it out soon and do a how-to then.

In the meantime though - a bit of movement is not as critical on a GPU block with small bore hose. If you were running bigger hose, you might find the block had a tendency to lift at one side... that's when you worry.

As for the order of bolts/washers - I can't immediately visualise a problem but I'll take close up shots when I do mine, so you can compare. :)

[Knipex]

Pug

Dont tell me you are still aircooling that card :blink: .

I never even turned mine on without water.....:p

[Fibbles]

Thanks. The little sliding isnt an issue really, it sits in one place while tubed up. At idle I'm averaging 56°C and I've been waiting too long to check after I play anything (lately, just Age of Mythology- I love it!) to see the rise. I always catch it when it's falling and then back to idle.

I had this horrible worry about the card instantly frying when I was going to turn the computer on for the first time. That almost happened, mostly cause I forgot to plug my monitor in and thought I was having a meltdown. I actually forgot to plug everything in, so when I sat down in despair, I realized I was seriously overreacting, and plugged everything in to boot up to a nice 34°C.

[Pug]

Right - I've just read that through again after mounting two different GPU blocks and I can follow it better now. (Strange how you get a mental block otherwise).

Not that it matters much but I tend to put the bolts through from the card side first, so that the thumbscrews/nuts end up on the block side (although I just checked the AC guide and they do it the same way as you).

My TwinPlex went on without a hitch as usual but when I went to do my GP42, I did the springs as I'd done in the CPU guide but they were too thin to stop the block from lifting slightly (I was using 10x7x1.5mm tubing at the time), so instead, I've now put the springs between the card and the retention plate for the block so that the thumbscrews tighten directly against the bracket.

It's much more secure this way it seems (but it may help to use plastic insulating washers where any metal parts touch the card).

[Pug]

I've taken a bunch of pics from when I put a GP-X on my 9800 last week so there should be a proper guide floating about here soon enough.

In the meantime, if anyone wants any other pointers, just post here and I'll prioritise it a bit higher. :)

[Pug]

Well, in the absence of any further interest, I did it anyway. :p
http://www.wizdforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=572
:)