14 DAY TRIAL // One problem with graphics cards is that it is very hard to make a universal custom cooler for them. For air cooling, this isn't so bad because each AMD and NVIDIA OEM has its own cooling technology.
Water cooling is different, however. Not only it is difficult to create a closed-loop cooler but every “standard” water block needs to be specifically modeled after the PCB as well.
On the other hand, this means that every graphics card powerful enough can be turned into a means for more cooling products to be sold and, thus, for the makers of those coolers to accrue extra money.
Case in point, EK Water Blocks has just released the EK-FC980 GTX TF5, a water block for the GeForce GTX 980.
And not any GTX 980, but the MSI GeForce GTX 980 Gaming 4G and GTX 980 TwinFrozr V.
The EK-FC980 GTX TF5
This water block is designed to come into direct contact with the graphics processing unit (GPU), the RAM chips, and the VRM (voltage regulation module). All in a day's work for a high-end piece of water cooling equipment.
Looking at the lower side, you probably would not figure that the GTX 980 was the card it was meant for. It is quite a bit more square-ish than you might expect.
However, the top side made of POM acetal material fully covers the board, and it only takes up a single PCI Express slot.
This is the one, major advantage that water blocks have over air cooling, other than low noise level: they take up a lot less space.
By only occupying one slot, it makes it possible to install more graphics cards on the same motherboard, provided there are sufficient PCI Express slots to be had.
The high hydraulic performance of the EK-FC980 GTX TF5 water block even ensures that liquid cooling systems using weaker water pumps still perform their jobs well.
Availability
The EK-FC980 GTX TF5 water block is designed with a nickel-plated electrolytic copper base and a top half constructed out of quality POM Acetal or acrylic material.
The acrylic one might not seem as fit for GTX 980 as the other one, since it leaves large parts of the card uncovered. But the base comes into contact with all sensitive areas, so there is no need for anything larger to spread the heat. Sadly, the price is unknown.
