how to watercool rx 480 sapphire nitro + 8 gb

[ofunfuni]

i was wondering if it would be possible to watercool a how to watercool, because it is not a reference card, and normal blocks don't fit it. maybe a generic water block for the chip and some passive cooling for the vrms i would like the vrms to be watercool. any thoughts on that?.

in advance
thank so much for you time

 

[rhysiam]

I don't believe there are any waterblocks available for that aftermarket card. You'd really need a reference RX480 to watercool.

I guess you're aware that custom loops on mid-range cards never actually make financial sense? Even with an existing loop with capable pump, the water block, tubing, etc on top of the RX 480 cost puts you well on the way to a 1070 which will decimate a 480 no matter how high your fancy cooling allows you to OC it.

So... if you're doing this to try and get the best RX 480 you can... don't bother. It's not worth it.

If you're doing this as a hobby/modding, for fun, or because you can, why don't you sell your Nitro and buy a reference unit and put the block on that way?

 

[ofunfuni]

I don't believe there are any waterblocks available for that aftermarket card. You'd really need a reference RX480 to watercool.

I guess you're aware that custom loops on mid-range cards never actually make financial sense? Even with an existing loop with capable pump, the water block, tubing, etc on top of the RX 480 cost puts you well on the way to a 1070 which will decimate a 480 no matter how high your fancy cooling allows you to OC it.

So... if you're doing this to try and get the best RX 480 you can... don't bother. It's not worth it.

If you're doing this as a hobby/modding, for fun, or because you can, why don't you sell your Nitro and buy a reference unit and put the block on that way?

Yes I have bought a reference xfx rx 480, but I really like the nitro rx if it is not possible I will just sell it and get a new one. The thing with references is that they all have 6 pin conector instead of 8 and with this card I will hit a power limit before a temperature limit

 

[Mikel_4]

You can use EK individual parts + XSPC Ion pump reservoir combo
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-vga-supremacy
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/akasa-ak-vmc01-bk-vga-ram-heatsinks
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/accessories/tubing/10-13mm-3-8-1-2-tubing
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/fittings/compression-fittings/for-10-13mm-3-8-1-2-tubing
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-coolstream-xe-240-double
I don't know your comfy noise at but the faster the fan the more heat dissipated from the source, anyway if your motherboard has 4 pin PWM header then use PWM type fans.
If your case support push pull (25mm + 60mm + 25mm, push fan + rad + pull fan) then get four 120mm fans
Distilled water

■ Flush the rad, because welding residue may still left inside, add fitting, you can use air compressor if you in a hurry.
■ Plan your loop and mounting location, modern case usually has 240mm rad mounting holes, if your room temperature is below 10C you can position Rad as intake.
■ After you get your desired loop, cut and chamfer the tube ends with sand paper, screw all fittings to the thread.
■ Remove nitro cooler and mount supremacy, cut the thermal pad according to chokes size, stick it, stick the heatsink.

Bleeding
■ Unplug all connector from PSU except pump power connector, do green wire black wire pin out trick on 24 pin ATX, place paper towel under joints to find leak later.
■ Fill res with coolant, turn on the PSU, slowly fill the res until you feel the loop is full.
■ You can get better view with youtube video tutorials,
■ The idea is to vanquish bubbles out.

VRM area cooling,
Actually RX 480 nitro is quite hot on VRM, so add PCI fan mounting kit

 

[n0ns3ns3]

the best way would be - sell your RX 480. that money + liquid cooling = GTX 1070 at least.
no water cooling will get the RX 480 to the GTX 1070 performance level.
Anyway,
one of those might fit:
https://www.alphacool.com/shop/-new-products-/21720/alphacool-nexxxos-gpx-ati-r9-480-m03-mit-backplate-schwarz?c=20585
https://www.alphacool.com/shop/gpu-cooler/ati-fullsize/21738/alphacool-nexxxos-gpx-ati-r9-480-m04-mit-backplate-schwarz?c=20585

 

[Mikel_4]

the best way would be - sell your RX 480. that money + liquid cooling = GTX 1070 at least.
no water cooling will get the RX 480 to the GTX 1070 performance level.
Anyway,
one of those might fit:
https://www.alphacool.com/shop/-new-products-/21720/alphacool-nexxxos-gpx-ati-r9-480-m03-mit-backplate-schwarz?c=20585
https://www.alphacool.com/shop/gpu-cooler/ati-fullsize/21738/alphacool-nexxxos-gpx-ati-r9-480-m04-mit-backplate-schwarz?c=20585

I'd say nexxxos gpx will outperform supremacy because gpx is full cover (also cool the VRM area) regardless the pressure drop and too bad OPs didn't mention his RX 480 model.

 

[Mikel_4]

N0ns3ns3 has a point there, you should check compatibility at http://www.hwconfig.com/waterblock-finder if you want to use gpx.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

actually that page will only show results for "reference" PCB cards.
I linked two GPX that are not for reference cards, but there is no compatibility list. so probably contacting alpacool is the way to proceed