Does its job and does it well, but know what you are buying!! This is for a 290x install
05/31/2014
This review is from: NZXT RL-KRG10-B1 Sleeve Kraken G10 GPU Bracket
Pros:
Great solution.
High quality parts!
So much easier to install than "DWood's Brackets"
92mm is whisper quiet. This is coming from someone with a case full of Noctua fans.
Properly done configuration will make the EXTREMELY loud 290x be a whisper quiet. (The stock quiet mode on a reference 290x throttles down to almost gtx670 performance because of the heat. You can get rid of this by bumping up the fan speed but it sound just like my vacuum cleaner. Reminds me of my gtx 480!!)
I've been using AIO coolers on GPU since they first became popular at OCN (Overclick.net) under the names the "Red Mod" and "Green Mod". An artisan by the name of DWood started making brackets that would allow you to mount the AIO coolers to the Gfx cards instead of using zip ties. While those brackets and these are functional identical, this bracket is A LOT easier to install! The hardest part of the DWood bracket was that you had to hold the bracket, AIO cooler, and screw at the same time. Which basically requires good skill or three hands. With the NZXT bracket, the back plate and screw or held to the PCB by bolts which makes applying the AIO cooler and retention brackets a breeze! BIG Props to NZXT on this one!!
Cons:
None as far as it pertains to the bracket!
Maybe manual doesn't say 290x needs a shim, but it does; however I knew this before due to research.
Overall Review:
A few things a 290x buyer should be aware of. I am using a reference XFX 290x.
First if you are buying this for a 290x, you will need to order THREE additional items.
1) An All In One (AIO) cooler with fans
2) You will need a copper shim to use between the GPU chip and the AIO cooler.
3) You will need heat sinks for the TWO VRMs on the 290x.
For the copper shim, I went with a EK 7970 Copper shim.
For the VRM heatsinks, I went with Gelid enchance 290x VRM heatsinks. Model: GELD-IV-R9-290/X-EnhKit (Kind of hard to find right now, but this is the one you need since it comes with heat skins for BOTH VRM 1 and VRM 2)
Without out the copper shim temps will be go over 100C very fast and comp will shut down.
Without the VRM heatsinks you CANNOT OC the card at all or temps on the VRM 2 (The VRM that is not under the fan and sits at the front of the board) will quickly get to over 100C! Even at stock clocks my front VRM hits 80C!
My setup:
Works great. Im using Noctua NT-H1 thermal paste, an Antec Kuhler H2O 620, and Two Noctua NF-F12 fans that are connected to 290x fan plugin with a Gelid CA-PWM-02 adapter (Allows afterburner to control the PWM fans on the AIO).
Temps:
Idle around 40C with fans at 20%
Load: 60-70C with fans at 50%
I went for a quiet profile (the teme of my whole build) over low temps. Bump the fans up and the temps will go down quick.
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- Myrna A.
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Verified Owner
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Owned For:
1 day to 1 week
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