Founders Edition or Aftermarket in a Corsair 570X

[MustardTart24]

I recently purchased a 570X. I plan on purchasing the 12c or 16c Threadripper. I have a 360mm ekwb rad in the intake and three fans for exhaust (one in back, two on top).

My question is because the air intake is more or less restricted because of the glass, would it be smarter to get the founders edition? I plan to liquid cool the card at some point but at the time of purchase and for a little while after it will remain air cooled? Should I go with aftermarket because of performance and just accept the possible thermal throttling until I get a waterblock or should I go with a Founders because of the rear exhaust?

 

[TechyInAZ]

If your gona liquid cool the graphics card, it doesn't matter, get whatever's the cheapest that has a high quality PCB (like a EVGA SC or something like that.)

That case can handle two non blower style graphics cards without a problem. I run a phanteks evolv which is much more restrictive on airflow in the front and my GPU is perfectly fine (gigabyte G1 gaming).

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Founders Edition is an nVidia label for "reference cards"; but reference cards should be avoided.

The mindset towards "blower style" is logical on the surface of it for several reasons but simply does not stand up to detailed thermal measurements in a well designed case. Yes, if you have a small case w/ 1 exhaust fan, the blower style cooler may help you ... but to what purpose ?

a. "I don't want the extra heat heating up my other components" - Why ? What component 's performance is affected by +2C
b. "I want the hot air out of the case" - Why ? Forcing out that tiny opening in back means more resistance which means less air flow so card runs hotter and throttles. Exactly what component are you saving from throttling by using blower style ? It's not about where you get it out, it just matters that you get it out.

If you follow the rule of thumb of (1) 1200 rpm 120mm fan for each 50 - 75 watts if power expanded (75-100 watts for 120mm) you will have a) a very quiet system w/ fans inaudible while playing and b) move the air out of your case twice per second.

Not using blower style cooler means you card runs cooler w/ no throttling, the air the exhausts from the cooler is out of your case thru those giant rear case grilles and vented slot covers much more efficiently than the tiny opening on blower style coolers.

BTW, if you have three intakes on the rad, the output of these fans is reduced having to overcome the inlet grille / filter and the radiator restricting.... if ya have a bit of dust buildup, this can reduce CFM by as much as athird giving air flow equivalent to only 2 fans.... With three blowing out, that means you have negative pressure and air is being sucked oin thru those rear grilles and vented slot covers and dust along with it. And what is that air composed off ? To a large part ... the hot exhaust from the PSU and blower style cooler. So in effect, the blower style cooler isn't getting the hot air out, it's just recycling it.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

If your gona liquid cool the graphics card, it doesn't matter, get whatever's the cheapest that has a high quality PCB (like a EVGA SC or something like that.).

The EVGA SC series in almost all instances has the reference PCB since the 500 series. SC = Refence crad + nice cooler.

 

[TechyInAZ]

Well nvm then. I didn't realize that.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Edit: Oops read that as OP having bought an RX 570.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

This a last generation article, but you can get a good idea about PCB fabrication and manufacturer practices by reading the 1st 3 pages

https://www.bit-tech.net/reviews/tech/graphics/nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-review/1/