Placing Graphics Card ram Heatsink on heat plate?

[frankpe]

I have a XFX DD R9 290 card, I want to cool the rams/vrms by sticking some copper heat sinks (like 14x14mm ones).
After I took off the fan and gpu heat sinks, I found there is a black aluminium heat plate over the card covering all rams.
here is the photo,
http://i.imgur.com/MRZwDua.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5yHtHnN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Ztkc6n7.jpg

Do I need to take it out first then stick copper ram heat sinks directly on rams? or I can just leave it on, and put heat sinks on top of this plate? (Consider if it has good contact with all rams).

I think this heat plate shall help on passive cooling if it is performing.
Just not sure if it is really performing.. and if heat can be easily transferred to the added copper heat sinks from it.

Btw, another question, for samiliar shape, Length and Width of heat sinks,
a 6mm height copper
http://img.dxcdn.com/productimages/sku_207119_1.jpg
and a 10mm height aluminium,
http://www.dib-bid.com/gallery2/040087/040087_01.jpg
which one shall perform better?

I have this question posted duplicate in computer brands forum, forum master please delete that one. Thanks.

 

[Thelps]

The design of the aluminum heatsinks is superior. The copper material is the superior compound, however.

In my opinion, this design of heatsink is ideal for VRAM cooling:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00EZJEXSM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They also include pre-attached adhesive at the base of the heatsink, which saves the need to play around with thermal glue. However, if you must use Thermal Adhesive I'd recommend Arctic Silver's option:

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_thermal_adhesive.htm

As for the plate covering the VRAM modules I'd suggest removing it. It will acquire a very high temperature over time and, if not attached to a similarly sized heatsink, won't be able to radiate that heat quickly enough. As a result, what heatsinks there are will become very hot.

I assume you're attaching a third-party / custom cooling unit to the Graphics Card? Which one?

 

[frankpe]

i will get heat sinks with pre-attached swlf adhesive, I don't like glue. especially don't want to glue on the ram,. If i have to, i'd prefer to stick it on heat plate to avoid damages.
i think the best ram heat sinks would be swiftech mc14, but that will cost me almost $100 for 4 packs... the other ones is only like $10 all together.

i'm thinking to do custom loop water cooling the gpu by using universal waterblock, save the block for future upgrade. So the rams and vrm need to be cooled separately. It's kind of a comprising solution. i'm happy as long as it keep the temp within a reasonable range. I read some review of using AIO water cooling Gpu with NZXT G10, I would like to achieve similar result.

 

[Thelps]

I'm using a G10 with a NZXT Kraken X41 at the moment. Has shifted my GTX 780 from 75°c-80°c down to 27°c-40°c when under maximum load.

If you're just looking at cooling only the Graphics Card then the Kraken is a very elegant solution. However, if you want watercooling everywhere then by all means, waterblocks are the way to go.

 

[frankpe]

It's great to know this hyper cooling method works so well!!
I think the GPU temp shall be good, I'm only worrying the rams & vrms.
I had thought of using G10 + X41, but I have 2 R9 290s. 2 sets of G10+X41 is already $300, custom loop 1 cpu and 2 Gpu blocks cost not too much more.
I spent too much on the graphics cards, that's why I chose universal blocks + heat sinks to make some saving.

For the heat plate, if I stick heat sinks all over it(not just where the ram is), will it be useful?

 

[Thelps]

If you're mounting a G-10 be warned that the upper part of the G-10 and the right-hand side of the unit covers your VRAM modules (it doesn't make contact with them or cool them, just rests above them). That means your chosen heatsinks must be quite short in height, otherwise they prevent successful installation of the G-10.

I'd guess anything more than a centimeter or so would be too high for those VRAM units. The G-10 wouldn't sit evenly. Keep that in mind when choosing heatsinks. That'd probably also rule out leaving on the current plate you've mentioned. It could operate as a heatsink itself, but I'm doubtful since it doesn't have any radiating fins.

 

[frankpe]

i can't mount a G10 even i really like it, it's a smart item which makes all i need. My gpu block is not compatible with G10, it's in square shape not round.
I've seen pics from other cool the rams with fan zip tied on the card. I will try similar thing provide air flow over the card...haven't decided how yet.
I think the original plate is designed as heat sink, made by Aluminum, very much like some full waterblock's back plate. Here is the real pic.
http://i.imgur.com/5yHtHnN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Ztkc6n7.jpg
It seems help passive cool the ram and vrm, especially vrm1, there is a small grill like piece extend out near vrm1.