Allright, the water block (#12984 - Alphacool Eisblock Aurora Plexi GPX-N RTX 2070 Super Windforce) arrived and I did some testing and wanted to share the prelimanary results because something might be a bit odd and I don't know if this is normal or I'm to stupid to correctly mount the block.
Before we get started, I just wanted to point out that all the modification were done at my own risk. At this point I don't have any warranty anymore and if you follow these steps the same goes for you. Be careful and think about what you are doing. With that said, let's continue.
I disassembled my Gigabyte RTX 2070 Super Gaming OC 3X (GV-N207SGAMING OC-8GD) to mount the water block, and as discussed in this thread, the RGB header was in the way. I tried two ways of removing the RGB header:
1. I took some side cutters and just snipped the header off. Quick, easy and the block can be mounted.
2. After that I completly desoldered it, the block doesn't fit better, but the card looks nicer
After both modifications I tested the card and it was still working as expected.
Now the Block fits right... hmm not quite
There is a rather large gap between the block and GPU chip as well as the other chips as you can see in the following image.
View attachment 1618
The reason for the gap are the nuts of the water block. Take a look at the following images where I color coded the standoffs from the block and the corresponding holes of the graphics card:
View attachment 1619
View attachment 1621
The green markings are used to connect the genuine cooler.
The orange markings are used to connect the genuine backplate.
I noticed the orange standoffs are a bit higher than the green ones. The image shows a metal ruler lying on top of the orange standoffs showing a gap between the ruler and the green standoffs. This gap is about the same size as the gap between the block and the GPU chip.
View attachment 1622
View attachment 1623
As you can see, the orange standoffs are flush with the PCB but the green ones slightly hover above it, again about the same distance as the gap between block and GPU chip.
Now basically my main question is:
Is this by design, so when I screw it tight the chip is pulled towards the block to make proper contact, which also means the card will be bend?
If not, I could probably just remove the orange standoffs and only use the green ones to connect the block. The original cooler was only connected with the green ones as well.
But hey since this is my first assembly of a GPU water block, I guess better ask first
I have the 2080 Super Windforce and with the concern you posted, you can correct it by removing the stand offs on the plexi top. But the best way is simple. Remove the stock 3 screws for the Gigabyte backplate, remove the backplate and use slightly longer screws that came with the GPU block and run them through the standoffs on the backplate until they stick out behind the stand off. The backplate standoff nuts are slightly closed on the backside, so running a screw through opens it up so you can start a screw from that side instead. Then put the backplate back on and then assemble the card with the block and use the same slightly longer screws or suitable length ones and screw them in from the backplate side, through the PCB and into the standoffs on the plexi top. I assemble the card normally and then install the 3 screws last when pressing the backplate, PCB and block together to close any gaps and then screw in the bolts to hold it together. Keep in mind, you'll be running into two sets of threads, the ones in the backplate and the ones in the plexi top, so you have to close any gaps before the screw runs from the backplate into the standoff in the plexi and you're only snugging the screw until it stops, as the threading in the backplate when the screw gets flush is what stops the screw from turning further. That's how I assembled mine in this post. You can see the 3 black screws on the backplate side in the pics.
Waterblock for GIGABYTE RTX 2080 Super Windforce OC 8G
Is there a waterblock that fits this Gigabyte RTX 2080 Super? Part# Gv-N208SWF3OC-8GD, which I think is the same PCB layout as the RTX 2070 Super Windforce, with the no RGB header and round solid capacitors instead of the flat MLCC ones. I see there's a block for the Windforce 2070 Super...
forum.alphacool.com
Also make sure your thermal pads are making good contact as well, as I changed the thickness on mine to fit better.
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