GeForce GTX 285 On Water Cooling: Zotac's Infinity Edition

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the Tom's Hardware community: where nearly two million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Status
Not open for further replies.
[citation][nom]rubix_1011[/nom]It's really sad that you chose to use the Big Water kit to push the cooling on the GPU instead of incorporating the CPU loop with the GPU using the far superior 655 pump and just adding an additional radiator instead. Your temps of 56+ C are way to high for a watercooled component...you shouldn't see more than 40C at load, especially with that waterblock. You are crippling the temps and the basis of your entire article by using sub-par components in your tests. Anyone who watercools knows that today's GPUs need at minimum a 220 or similar surface area radiator to expend the heat being produced...same goes for your i7 CPU...but it looks like you have at least a 320 on it. You should have run a series loop and just added an additional 120 or 220 radiator/fans and been done with it. You'd have had much happier temp results.[/citation]
+1 Well said. esp about the pump. At least they used a GTZ for the CPU :)
 
[citation][nom]xizel[/nom]Liquid-Cooled Overclock 722/1,584/2,711 GPU/Shader/DRAM (data rate) what is the point if it doenst overclok more that the air cooled?or is this a mistake?[/citation]
because liquid= lower temps, and quieter
that doesn't necessarily mean higher overclocks, you are limited by the gpu voltage as today's cards have excellent reference coolers
 
[citation][nom]Sushi Warrior[/nom]The card used for PhysX dramatically improves Vantage score, try it in Tri-SLI with no PhysX and you'll tank.[/citation]

If their using the latest drivers it defaults tri SLI with PhysX, there no reason to have it turned off.
 
Wow Crashman, can't believe you use such a absolutly shunned WC rad etc for this setup. You MUST change your testing parameters to get ANY respect from guys who know their stuff. I know you get it free, and probably link it for extra $$. BUY some real parts for a change and do independant multi testing. Take a hint from Martin, I KNOW you know who he is.

Another reason Tom's hardware is known as the "Radio Shack" of information with specialties. Like this statement, "I don't know what a resistor is, but do you want to buy a remote controlled toy for your son?"

Stop reviewing or pretending to review till you use what we know in the 'real world' is good for watercooling. Your sooo out of touch, and so way behind in watercooling it's pathetic.
 
[citation][nom]Duaney[/nom]Does Global Warming even register with you guys! What a waste of resources. I could power my Prius for a month with what power your consuming here!!![/citation]


I want a big PC, you spend it on a car. I'll pay more in taxes to help Obama pay for his efforts than your car will save in energy used. Thanks for derailing the thread. I see a tree, go save it before I put it into my PC energy system.
 
[citation][nom]Crashman[/nom]It came to my attention after the testing was completed that the Gigabyte pump is designed to provide adequate flow at low pressure by using low-restriction components, and that the smaller barbs and highly restrictive GPU water block ingress/egress holes are at odds with a high-volume low-pressure pump. A graphics water block, with its 90-degree slots for fluid exchange, is a large restriction that requires significant pressure to work properly.Perhaps a new comparison including a higher-pressure pump and the BFG liquid-cooled card, with its proper fittings and single-slot bracket, would suffice?[/citation]


Possibly, as long as you do the research to understand proper flow rates. And look at the wattage the cards produce vs the capability of the rad and the Delta T of the water temps under load. 5C Delta is great, over 10C is bad. Lots of info out there, know your a busy peeps with directing all the testing, maybe you need a dedicated, experianced WC to do your testing? Drop WC reviews till you know what is really out there. Can you name the 3 versions of the new Heatkiller block out there and give reasons for each one? If not your behind the times. Dedicate to WC reviews or just drop them.
 
[citation][nom]pike84[/nom]No noise and better stability perhaps (fans are more prone to break)?[/citation]

From my experience a watercooled setup doesn't nessecarily reduce noise. Some pumps vibrate annoyingly, and if they don't you'll still need fans for other components or at least the rad - which sometimes is mounted externally, futher increasing the noise from its fans. It can be quieter, but it's not nessecarily the case. At least not with current stock fans. My last water cooled rig was considerably more noisy than my current one with air cooling. The only thing noisy in that is the sound from the 8 harddrives mounted directly to the chassis floor.
 
All I see is excuses. Throw away the toy cooling system that the Gigabyte "thing" is and at least use a proper kit to do some testing. This review says NOOB all over it.

Most water coolers, myself included, figure at least a single 120 rad per core plus one per loop. So if you had the video card, you would figure roughly a 120+1, or a 240. An MCR220 is a great choice for cooling a single video card. http://www.petrastechshop.com/swmcqposerab.html

The other issue is the crap pump that you are using. A single D5 vario like this http://www.petrastechshop.com/swmcin12pu.html would be a great choice to test video cards in its stock form. Its quiet and plenty powerful enough to provide enough flow to cool the card.

I know for a fact anything that Danger Den builds will user regular 1/2" G1/4 fittings, like these: http://www.petrastechshop.com/dadepofbofig.html So drop that excuse....

Add a t-line for a few bucks to fill the setup, a couple of decent fans and some cheap hardware store hose, and your good. You cannot test with crap equipment and expect good results. I almost guarantee the air cooled card was a competitive as it was was because the s__t equipment you used to test with. At least spend the time and money to properly test the card with decent equipment, before you write and post the article.
 
It's almost embarassing that the half-ass gigabyte cooler-loop was even mentioned as far as the setup. I don't see how you can tout the performance of a stock-mounted WC block when you don't utilize a proper loop to test with.
 
[citation][nom]Conumdrum[/nom]Waiting for a reply from Crashman. Tough job, has hit the wall wanting quality knowledge from the members of this site.[/citation]

Quality knowledge? Sounds like trash talk to me. Stuff like "don't know how to make a proper loop" when you don't actually need anything but a pump, reservior, radiator, and enough lines to connect them to the water block. That loop had all that. So the pump was lame, big deal, the card was STUCK at the clocks it was set at. If it was a heat problem, it wouldn't have been stable at the factory OC. If the cooler was enough to support the factory OC, it was enough to support factory +10 MHz.

The card acted like it needed more voltage to get "over the hump" and the temps were STILL cool enough to support a voltage increase. Not a heat problem, a card problem.

MORE DETAIL on clock limits: The card could run for HOURS at full power and factory overclock speed (722 MHz GPU). Yet even after cool-down, it would crash almost instantly when running the Crysis benchmark at 732 MHz. It didn't even have time to get warm before it crashed. The "high" temps you see are peak temps after running many benchmark loops. If a card runs perfectly at 722MHz and 76C, but crashes at 732MHz and 54C, you can have reasonable certainty that the GPU is at its limit at 722MHz. Rinse and repeat for testing shader and RAM speed.

A better pump should have been used? Sure, but the pump that was used wasn't the cause of the card arriving pre-clocked to its limit. It sounds like people are simply looking for excuses for why the card wouldn't go farther, I have a clue for them: Some cards are more capable than others.

So, better pump and maybe a copper radiator for next time, but don't be surprised if revisiting this card proves that it needed more voltage to clock higher.
 
[citation][nom]Crashman[/nom]Quality knowledge? Sounds like trash talk to me. Stuff like "don't know how to make a proper loop" when you don't actually need anything but a pump, reservior, radiator, and enough lines to connect them to the water block. That loop had all that. So the pump was lame, big deal, the card was STUCK at the clocks it was set at. If it was a heat problem, it wouldn't have been stable at the factory OC. If the cooler was enough to support the factory OC, it was enough to support factory +10 MHz.The card acted like it needed more voltage to get "over the hump" and the temps were STILL cool enough to support a voltage increase. Not a heat problem, a card problem.A better pump should have been used? Sure, but the pump that was used wasn't the cause of the card arriving pre-clocked to its limit. It sounds like people are simply looking for excuses for why the card wouldn't go farther, I have a clue for them: Some cards are more capable than others.So, better pump and maybe a copper radiator for next time, but don't be surprised if revisiting this card proves that it needed more voltage to clock higher.[/citation]
Dude some day you need to grow up! If you can't take the criticism from your readers, you might've picked the wrong job. You don't have to agree with everyone, but you ought to respond properly to our comments instead of trying to discredit anyone who disagrees with you.

Anyway, you're missing something in your defence. What if the overclock isn't the reason people complain about the water loop? What if some people actually want to use water to keep the heat levels inside the chassis low? There are still quality motherboards out there, which are produced with cooling properties that are inadequate when overclocking. Also there are people who want the graphics to run cooler simply because they think it'll not break as fast that way (could be true, dunno).

In short - the pathetic overclock from the card may not be the only reason people attack your .... not so great ... choice of cooling.
 
[citation][nom]neiroatopelcc[/nom]Dude some day you need to grow up! If you can't take the criticism from your readers, you might've picked the wrong job. You don't have to agree with everyone, but you ought to respond properly to our comments instead of trying to discredit anyone who disagrees with you.Anyway, you're missing something in your defence. What if the overclock isn't the reason people complain about the water loop? What if some people actually want to use water to keep the heat levels inside the chassis low? There are still quality motherboards out there, which are produced with cooling properties that are inadequate when overclocking. Also there are people who want the graphics to run cooler simply because they think it'll not break as fast that way (could be true, dunno). In short - the pathetic overclock from the card may not be the only reason people attack your .... not so great ... choice of cooling.[/citation]

Read the two comments between your previous comment and Conundrum's, and see how the response was appropriate for those two comments. Notice there wasn't any "imaturity" in response to other comments, including yours, and then...relax. It's a great day to get a better pump.
 
The response never is appropriate mate. Neither were the wording in their comments. However they might go away again, you will not. Don't lower yourself to their level, or it'll make you look as immature as they do.
In the end you represent thg, and every time you step out of line, thg as a whole will look bad. I'm sure you know what I mean.
 
[citation][nom]Crashman[/nom]Read the two comments between your previous comment and Conundrum's, and see how the response was appropriate for those two comments. Notice there wasn't any "imaturity" in response to other comments, including yours, and then...relax. It's a great day to get a better pump.[/citation]

I have to totally agree with Neiroatopelcc on this one. Attacking the readers of your articles doesn't convey a great deal of self control, nor does it represent THG in the most positive manner. The entire point of having forum responses to articles is to comment/suggest upon the topic being discussed. If THG doesn't want the input and *gasp* the possibility that the readers might disapprove of the methods used for testing, then don't provide the forum reply option. As a tester/writer, one should be humble enough to know that there are other people who might be more versed in specific areas of hardware and software and be open to those comments...even if they are posed as constructive criticism. Why do you think forums always have multiple areas of discussion? ...So that people who have more knowledge can help those with questions...they often don't post their 'worldly knowledge' in every forum topic. This isn't the first time I have seen you attack the readers...being professional goes a long way to getting respect...even if you totally screw something up.
 
[citation][nom]rubix_1011[/nom]I have to totally agree with Neiroatopelcc on this one. Attacking the readers of your articles doesn't convey a great deal of self control, nor does it represent THG in the most positive manner. The entire point of having forum responses to articles is to comment/suggest upon the topic being discussed. If THG doesn't want the input and *gasp* the possibility that the readers might disapprove of the methods used for testing, then don't provide the forum reply option.[/citation]

Like I said, the response was perfectly toned for two guys who were not offering any constructive criticism but instead were only seeking to disrupt. Being stern in the face of a disruptive force is the only mature response: We don't coddle or condescend, nor do we expect codling and condescension.

Opinions that can improve future articles are highly prized (see other responses) but any input that's not meant to be helpful has *gasp* zero value.

Come to think of it, it's been a while since anyone has added anything to the discussion. So far we have "bigger radiator" under advisement and "better pump" being unanamous, but comments apart from those appear to be nothing more than insults.

And what is it that you find so insolent in the response? That I called a few insults "trash talk"? I didn't know you were so sensitive, from now on I'll try to SAY "insults" instead of "trash talk".
 
[citation][nom]Crashman[/nom]Like I said, the response was perfectly toned for two guys who were not offering any constructive criticism but instead were only seeking to disrupt. Being stern in the face of a disruptive force is the only mature response: We don't coddle or condescend, nor do we expect codling and condescension.Opinions that can improve future articles are highly prized (see other responses) but any input that's not meant to be helpful has *gasp* zero value.Come to think of it, it's been a while since anyone has added anything to the discussion. So far we have "bigger radiator" under advisement and "better pump" being unanamous, but comments apart from those appear to be nothing more than insults.And what is it that you find so insolent in the response? That I called a few insults "trash talk"? I didn't know you were so sensitive, from now on I'll try to SAY "insults" instead of "trash talk".[/citation]

By we do you refer to yourself as an individual, or thg in general? Cause your behavour and that of say chris or tuan are miles apart. Tuan confronts those who disagree with him, and take them serious (though they'll still disagree), and chris ignores too uncomfortable posts, and responds to those he see fit. These approaches keep most of the threads in a constructive and positive tone. Let's be honest. Neither our complains nor your oh so mature (from your point of view) responses generate the kind of positive atmosphere I believe thg would like.
There are many ways to handle the responses from the crowd, and I believe your way is far from the most optimal. I've always found your responses rather rude, but until today I haven't really felt like confronting you with it. Perhaps I should've done that earlier when I saw you flame some dudes for not agreeing with one of your articles (forgot what it was about ; am reading most articles here).
I'm not saying the crowd is much better than you are, but the crowd doesn't have the same responsibility with regards to maintain the image of thg as employees or free lance writers do.
After Tuans slightly unfortunate mac articles, the removal of second take, the many problems with the talkback facilities, the overwhelming amount of typos and the image fuckup in the tv calibration article (and similar fuckups), I don't think it takes that much extra effort from writers like you to make more readers find other sites. I like thg, I've always liked it. But I'm not sure everyone will be as tolerant as I am. Some might just decide to go somewhere else for their dosis of reviews and news.
I don't know how many posts get flagged for inappropriate content these days, but I've seen an increase in the amount of people complaining about things lately, and I am not ignorant enough to think the amount of annoying kids and grumpy middleaged men has suddenly tripled. So really I don't think you can afford to be as stubborn as you are.
Sorry if you don't appreaciate my honesty, and I'm sure not everyone will agree with me in the first place. But you NEED to learn how to behave according to your responsibilities.
 
[citation][nom]Crashman[/nom]Go look in the forums if you want to see my nice side, I'm always here to help. Is it too much to expect similar etiquit from others?[/citation]
I'm not looking for a nice side, I'm merely informing you of a problem.
You can't control what others do, but you can control how you react on it. There'll always be annoying people who post stuff you don't think is justified. That you can't change, but you can change how you address them.

Anyway I've got to go visit my parents and remove antivirus 2009 .... again.
 
Did I creat e a stink? All I want is solid reviews by experianced watercoolers. Any less than than that is worthless to me and anyone else. Bad reviews cause problems when people spend hundreds of $$ and find out they bought stuff that will have to be replaced soon, and not taking into account the amount of leaks and ruined mobos and GPUS.

Sorry if I hurt your feelings Crashman, I know you spent hours on your work for the review.

TH IS worldwide, a BIG player, you know that. Peeps trust you. Trust means only giving the best to keep your rep. If your rep means saying,

"You have to spend xx in the best stuff to be happy" needs, then it must be. Do your homework...........

Don't reccomend crap to the users. They and your site deserve better.

 
[citation][nom]Conumdrum[/nom]Did I creat e a stink? All I want is solid reviews by experianced watercoolers. Any less than than that is worthless to me and anyone else. Bad reviews cause problems when people spend hundreds of $$ and find out they bought stuff that will have to be replaced soon, and not taking into account the amount of leaks and ruined mobos and GPUS.Sorry if I hurt your feelings Crashman, I know you spent hours on your work for the review.TH IS worldwide, a BIG player, you know that. Peeps trust you. Trust means only giving the best to keep your rep. If your rep means saying,"You have to spend xx in the best stuff to be happy" needs, then it must be. Do your homework...........Don't reccomend crap to the users. They and your site deserve better.[/citation]

You didn't hurt my feelings, I was refering to your reference to the two comments that preceeded yours. But that "experienced watercoolers" comment is not just insolent, it's arrogant and misleading. Any neophyte can build a great water cooler by simply buying up the highest-capacity parts he can find, so to say "this configuration indicates a lack of experience" is simply a deception.

An experienced advisor would know better.
 
If even a noob can build a great water cooling setup, how come you couldn't? Just wondering. If you know about water cooling, why still do it wrong? I've only got 1 water cooling setup, so I'm no expert, but even I can see flaws...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom