How do you identify GPU water block compatibility?

[Gorilla]

So I'm kind of in the market for a new GPU. I already have a custom loop set up so whatever I end up getting I will want to throw a full cover block on it.

I'm running a 980ti currently, so it's been a while since I had to shop for blocks. How do you know if a card a block are compatible. It seems like there are good deals on last gen AMD cards, and a lot of the last gen AMD blocks by EK and others seem to be getting clearanced, but identifying compatibility seems to be a real pain. I have yet to find a single card in stock anywhere that EK identifies as compatible with any of their blocks.

How do you determine if a GPU is reference or not? It's not like GPU brands post photos of their cards with the HSF removed.

 

[wareyore]

Did you check out EK's configurator on their site? Drop down boxes make it pretty easy unless you are looking at a card they don't list/support.

They even tell yo if they don't have a block for the card.

 

[applegrcoug]

I installed a few bykski full cover blocks on two different model of gigabyte 3080 and then a couple asus tuf 3090s. I think I got them from formula mod. The bykski block would be milled out and fit for the particular card.

 

[Gorilla]

Did you check out EK's configurator on their site? Drop down boxes make it pretty easy unless you are looking at a card they don't list/support.

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They even tell yo if they don't have a block for the card.

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Yes. As I said, I haven't been able to find a single card that is still being sold new that EK identifies as compatible.

With that having been said, in theory a reference card should work with any block that fits reference cards. So that leads to the second question in my post. How do you identify reference cards?

 

[pendragon1]

its a real pain in the ass really...
you could find a block/price you like and click the button below to see what cards it works with and shop from that, maybe...

or find a card you want and google it + full water block

 

[Gorilla]

its a real pain in the ass really...
you could find a block/price you like and click the button below to see what cards it works with and shop from that, maybe...

View attachment 574819

or find a card you want and google it + full water block

I did think of that. It's tough when you are basically working with end of life blocks that were designed when the cards were released a couple years ago. None of the cards that are listed as compatible are still sold new. Why companies have to constantly change their models I don't know.

So I guess I could try to track down used versions of known compatible cards. What a pain.

Again in theory reference should be fine. Maybe I just identify a new card I want and then start trying to figure out if it is a reference PCB or not.

 

[pendragon1]

I did think of that. It's tough when you are basically working with end of life blocks that were designed when the cards were released a couple years ago. None of the cards that are listed as compatible are still sold new. Why companies have to constantly change their models I don't know.

So I guess I could try to track down used versions of known compatible cards. What a pain.

Again in theory reference should be fine. Maybe I just identify a new card I want and then start trying to figure out if it is a reference PCB or not.

yeah it is.
ref i think gives you a few more options, usually. and either TPU or google will usually cough up some PCB pics.