Testing
Testing a GPU block is a little bit different than when we test a CPU, but it’s the same concept. We use a benchmark program call Valley which runs on the Unigine Engine (http://unigine.com/products/valley/) to push our GPU’s to the limit. When they are cranking out all the frames they can, they heat up. This gives us a rather accurate prediction of how they will react during a gaming session, or other actual use.
The test rig consists of the following parts:
Processor: Intel Core i5 2500K
Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 EVO
Video Card: EVGA GTX 690 with XSPC Razer GTX690 full cover block
Memory: Corsair Vengence 8 GB @ 1600mhz
Power Supply: High Power Astro PT 700w
Storage: OCZ Vertex 2 120 GB Running Windows 8 64bit
Cooling: XSPC RayStorm 750 RS240 with with AX240 Radiator
Case: Nanoxia Deep Silence 1
One thing we are not going to do is overclock our GPU. Although waterblocks allow GPU’s to achieve some amazing clocks at low temperatures, they are far less consistent than CPU overclocking and harder to tell if truly stable. We are going to stick with the stock clocks, and you can go from there. What you will get from a GPU block with stock clocks is a lower all around temperature, which can mean a longer life for the card, as well as much less noise than the stock cooling.
To give a comparison of performance I first tested my GTX 690 with my Koolance NX690 block installed.
Ambient temps: 22.78C/73F
Idle temps: 30.5C/88.7F core average
Unigine Valley Full Benchmark @ Extreme HD: 42.5C/108.5F core average
And now the XSPC Razer GTX690 results
Ambient temps: 22.78C/73F
Idle temps: 27.5C/81.5F core average
Unigine Valley Full Benchmark @ Extreme HD: 39.5C/103.1F core average
As you can see the XSPC block is 3 degrees Celsius cooler in all categories.