Using old GPU block for 6800 ?
 

Hi,

I currently have a setup with a Barton 2500+@3200+, and a Geforce 4600 watercooled using a (really) big(as in being 50cmx120cm) radiator without any fans. This has been working great, but now im getting a 20" TFT and my geforce card is rumored to handle 1600x1200 over DVI poorly, and besides it can hardly handle never games at 1600x1200 :)

I was considering buying a 6800GT and clocking it at Ultra speeds, but i frankly think that the Dangerden block is far too expensive. I already have a Dangerden GPU cooler( the one show in the center of http://www.dangerden.com/images/product_index2.gif ) and i was wondering if anyone knew whether or not its possible to mount safely on a 6800?
There isnt too much airflow in my case(the only fans are the PSU), but on the other hand all heat generated from GPU and CPU is transferred using water. From reading threads in this forum i gather that it is then safe to leave the RAM uncooled?

Thanks for any feedback.

Ram is ok to leave as is (otherwise the card would come with ram sinks).

As for attaching the block, the preffered method is to screw it into place. Here, depending on the size of the top acrylic plate, you may be able to use nylon (or steel) screws to secure it into place, if it's big enough. Otherwise, you can always use a thermal epoxy, or our preffered method, which is to mix a bit of paste with the epoxy, for a not-so-permanent fix.

Thanks for the tips. But regarding the RAM, doesnt the standard cooling solution cover the RAM as well as the GPU? I havent had a chance to examine a 6800-card myself, so i can only judge from the pictures ive seen. Of course, i think its a bit silly if its necesary to cool the RAM, but you never know :)

Sometimes ram is covered, yes. You really have to find a pic of the product to find that out.

Most pictures ive seen seem to cover the the RAM as well:
http://www.elitebastards.com/hanners...0-front_tn.jpg
http://www.firingsquad.com/media/gal...mage.asp/219/5
http://tweak.dk/uploads/10892340776z..._2_l_small.jpg
http://img.hexus.net/v2/graphics_car.../cards_big.jpg

Would you take that to imply that the RAM needs cooling?

Well here is the thing. The ram is always covered on the GT and Ultra cards from nvidia. But ATI uses the same exact RAM running at the same speeds and they dont cool the ram. I think nvidia just decided to cover the ram up to make sure it wont overheat in any circumstance as well as make it a bit better for OCing.

but it isnt neccesary. With the water cooling the gpu will be pretty cool compared to stock so u wont need the ram coolers. When the system has the ramcoolers attached to the gpu cooler the gpu would (i think) actually put some heat into the ram. With that disconnected the gpu wouldnt be heating up the ram any more.

Further proof. Xbitlabs did a review of hte 6800 ultra where they put a water cooler on the card and they didnt use any ramsinks and they actually got an improved RAM overclock compared to stock and some really good ocing on the gpu it self. check it out at www.xbitlabs.com Its in the graphics section.