Maze4-1: can it be used without the peltier?
 

Hey, there is a 4-1 GPU block on ebay and I was wondering if the TEC and coldplate could be removed and it just be used as a straight watercooler? I would play around with the TEC for a while, but I dont see it being permanent (maybe).

Finally going to do some stuff to my 9800 pro. Did the 9800xt soft mod today, worked great. I plan on giving it some extra juice with a volt mod and overclocking it some more. I think it needs more cooling and I'm not in the mood to do any block building. (dont have enough time anyways).

i dont see why not but ask dangerden themselves

Yes the Maze4 and 4-1 are identical other than the coldplate and hardware

I believe the cold plate can be removed, so yes, it will be fine on its own.

Cool thanks. I was hoping so. I thought maybe the 4-1 didnt have the raised portion to accomidate the shim because it wouldnt allow full contact with the peltier, but I guess it'll be alright.

Shit, nevermind...

"The upper section of the unit is a Maze4GPU, but with a completely smooth outer base rather than one with a raised and lapped core-contact surface."

Oh well, it'll still work I think. Does the raised part need to be raised for the 9800pro? I remember the 9700pro had problems, but did they fix that or am I going to have to remove the shim?

Nevermind again... Just busted out my other 9800pro and checked the core. Seems like it is raised slightly from the shim, as tested with a pretty nice stainless steel ruler I have lying around. Gonna check tomorrow with something more precise, but I have tried several spots on the ruler and the GPU is clearly higher than the shim.

Wait GPU?! Oh shit. Nevermind then. (Eeh... This phrase is a bit overused...) Why would the GPU be higher than the shim? What then is the point of the shim?

if the shim is a problem (and you dont plan on RMAing it...using a TEC to cool it id assume you wont be ;) ) you "can" remove the shim with a razorblade or pocket knife...just know that when the knife breaks the "glue" of the shim its heading towards the core...fast. ive removed 2x 9800's and 1x 9700 that way. (no damage to any of my cores :) )

GOOD LUCK

No, in the 9700 pros there was a problem with the shim being too high and the heatsinks couldnt touch the core. I'd rather the shim be on there with all that mass of copper and water and torque from the tubes. In my 9800, the core is slightly higher than the shim (if you put a ruler across it it wobbles slightly, but not so much that a shim wouldnt help.