Best bet for Watercooling a GTX 680.

[Skelly]

So it's upgrade time again for me, and I want to replace my HD5970 with a GTX680. I already have a good watercooling setup that should be able to manage a single GPU just fine.

So I was just wondering what the best way to go would be..

1. I could go for the EVGA Hydro copper, which would give me a 3 year warranty, which I'm not too worried about. It's $700, and currently sold out at newegg, the only Canadian e-tailer that carries it.
2. Or I could get a regular card and fit an aftermarket waterblock myself, which I would not mind doing at all. Dazmode has the Koolance VID-NX680 for $130 in stock, and the EK-FC680 GTX - Plexi - Copper for $120 in stock.

If I went option 2, which block is better, and what kind of card should I go for? Just the cheapest reference card I can find, or something with a custom PCB?

[DeltrusDisc]

From my talking with Synthaxx, Cyanotical, and others, I'd concur with Synthaxx and say go reference, but also, apparently EVGA seems to be the most friendly regarding putting waterblocks on, so just wanted to pass that along to ya. ^_^

[kidsafe]

I personally love the look of my Watercool Heatkiller block. Not sure if there's 680 version out yet.

[DeltrusDisc]

I personally love the look of my Watercool Heatkiller block. Not sure if there's 680 version out yet.

Got a picture to share sir? ^_^

[Sweetleader]

Got a picture to share sir? ^_^

Well I guess this is just the backplate haha.

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/wahegp79fora.html

[DeltrusDisc]

Holy hell that is gorgeous....

[Perderder]

I personally use an EK Waterblock on my GTX 680's. I'd take a pic for you but I had to RMA one of my 680's. EK offers parallel and serial bridges if you decide to SLI. They are very slick looking. Also, Koolance is overpriced compared to other vendors.

[Perderder]

I have to advise against the bridges. I used one of the 3-way serial ones once. Because it's screw holes aren't prethreaded and it's all made out of acetel, it's an absolute pain to make sure it doesn't leak because it went in at a slightly dodgy angle.

How long ago was this? My bridge was 100% threaded and fit like a glove.

Edit: I am using the Nvidia adapters with the bridge. Maybe the AMD adapters are different.

[Drunkenvalley]

Newer blocks also shouldn't require any form of bridge.