There’s some discussion I was reading last night about the FE Card design being problematic for sandwich style cases. There’s not much space between the back of the card and other components, typically.
stusser
5393
The reference cooler is a problem for all non bog standard ATX installs. Anything weird, you probably don’t want it.
For normal ATX configs, it’s pretty interesting. Remains to be seen how it actually performs, but it isn’t an obvious loser like previous reference designs.
I’m following this as I’m planning a build in the Sliger SM560. It looks like FE is iffy (some say it may not matter much), but there are other models like the Asus Tuf that have more traditional fans.
stusser
5395
Looks like most of the rear passthrough fan would be obstructed by your PSU in the Sliger. I definitely would not get the FE.
In case you haven’t seen that.
stusser
5397
Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure it’ll work. It won’t melt down into a puddle. It’ll just run hotter than an AIB card, and thus will clock lower to control heat. So don’t buy the FE, buy an EVGA or whatever.
I’m still more concerned about room heat than power consumption. Maybe it’s not so bad? Google wasn’t much help.
Fortunately it will be cool weather soon. At least till next summer.
stusser
5399
That said, I’m assuming that the rear cooler really matters and most of the heat isn’t immediately exhausted through the front blower. I may be completely wrong in that, in which case the FE would be the best choice for such a tight case.
Hey, Stusser, maybe you can answer this. The 3070 has a short board, right? Is a triple fan card going to actually cool better than a double fan?
stusser
5401
The 3080 and 3090 are pretty short PCBs too with that new V notch. The cooler extends way past the end of the board.
Yeah, but again, the reference cards only have 2 fans. Is adding a longer radiator and a third fan doing anything or is it for show?
stusser
5403
It will definitely cool better, how much that helps GPU clocks is a question that won’t be answered until we see reviews. It certainly won’t hurt.
The heatsink and vapor chamber pipes extend past the PCB, and that’s where the 3rd fan is coming into play. Those vapor chambor pipes are taking heat from the GPU and voltage regulators and bringing them past the PCB so all 3 fans can get airflow to pull the heat out.
I understand. Just trying to get a sense if that matters on a practical level in this instance with the short PCBs. Consensus is that it does.
I think the short PCB just allows the air to go straight through instead of being redirected at a 90 degree angle, which can allow more airflow / less resistance and thus pull more heat off the vapor pipes.
I already seem to have that problem with the Fractal Define Nano - one GPU fan is very close to the PSU housing. It can’t be getting great airflow back there. I guess if it’s the pass through fan that’s doing all the work, that might be a good thing, as you say.
stusser
5409
No, if it’s the blower fan that’s doing all the work then the reference cooler would probably be better in a very tight case, as the blower exhausts directly out the back of the card and doesn’t heat up the case at all. If the passthrough fan does most (or even half) of the work then obstructing it would be very bad.
But the pass through isn’t obstructed, the blower is…
But the blower is a pull fan, pushing out the back. as long as there is any clearance, it will pull cooler air in. :)
