aquagrafx block for GTX 285

[Shoggy]

Fresh from the production:

http://forum.aquacomputer.de/images-ac/gtx285_web.jpg

The card + block is running behind me for almost 1 hour with Furmark 1.6 now and the card is still alive but you should not touch it... :D

The block is available for 89,90 EUR (75,55 EUR outside EU => ~97.00 USD).

Sidewinder Computer has already ordered them with all the other new blocks ;)

[Xilikon]

Nice block as usual :up:

[Cutless009]

its bezitufl, but how are you sposed to run these in SLI with no port on the front?

[Shoggy]

Bent* connectors ;)

*should be correct now :D

[Baleful]

Looking good shoggy, but what exactly is a bend connector? If you have any available, could you post pics of the connector? And maybe cards like these in SLI? Thanks!

[HESmelaugh]

This block looks really nice and clean.
Apparently the board layout is better suited for a full cover block than, say, the GTX265's.

[Shoggy]

Looking good shoggy, but what exactly is a bend connector? If you have any available, could you post pics of the connector? And maybe cards like these in SLI? Thanks!
http://shop.aquacomputer.de/images/product_images/info_images/90044.jpg
or
http://shop.aquacomputer.de/images/product_images/thumbnail_images/90053.jpg

I think there also some picture of systems available. I will have a look later.

[mcoffey]

http://shop.aquacomputer.de/images/product_images/info_images/90044.jpg
or
http://shop.aquacomputer.de/images/product_images/thumbnail_images/90053.jpg

I think there also some picture of systems available. I will have a look later.

That's great, you want to answer the email I sent you:D

andyc

[Septim]

2 90degrees, one on each card with a small tube run...

this block is sexy...

[RedRaider]

:slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber::slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber::slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber: :slobber:

IMO, you need to seriously consider changing how you do SLI connections...:igotit:

[zlojack]

I agree with RR on this one.

I love the design, but the difficulty with SLI connection means I won't be able to use these blocks.

[Cutless009]

Im with red, esp since these cards are going to be used for tri-sli, I think ease of use in regards to SLI should be a primary concern with these blocks.

[Mankz]

Thats pweety.

[Snyxxx]

Shoggy,

Are these true single slot cards?

[Shoggy]

Sure, the block has only a height of 8mm.

We also offer an optional single slot bracket for the card to make it a real 100% singe slot solution ;)

http://shop.aquacomputer.de/images/product_images/info_images/23460.jpg

The plastic thing for the status LED can be easily removed.

[coolmiester]

I can't understand why AQ would go to these lengths only to shoot themselves in the foot - pretty it may be but no one in their right mind would consider this option for Sli or Tri-Sli

[zlojack]

I can't understand why AQ would go to these lengths only to shoot themselves in the foot - pretty it may be but no one in their right mind would consider this option for Sli or Tri-Sli
Shoggy told me once it was aesthetics.

Since the number of SLI users is small, they don't want to mar their design for a small portion of the market.

I wonder, though, about the percentage of FC block users who run SLI. I bet it's a lot higher than the percentage overall in the market.

[coolmiester]

I wish that were true tbh but i remember going back a good few years asking them to make their products G1/4 as appose to G1/8 but was constantly told there was no market for G1/4.

I even had special orders of their Aquatube made up in G1/4 as they weren't prepared to listen to the UK / US market so its nice to see them give in to the barb thread size.

Come on - how much would a couple of chrome plugs on the reverse side effect aesthetics.

[Shoggy]

We are aware of the difficult usage in SLI setups but have not found a good solution yet. The most crazy idea we had so far was the Xconnect:

http://www.aqua-computer.de/prodimg/x_connect.jpg

As zlojack already said: the design is a problem. One of our CEOs who is doing all the development wants to keep the simple style for the users which do not use SLI or Crossifre.

[zlojack]

It really is a shame, Shoggy.

Just have the holes go all the way through. Some nicely designed plugs and presto...SLI ready.

That X-connect ruins the "simple style" a lot more than two plugs on the backside of the block :D

[coolmiester]

Sounds to me like a classic case of CEO upstairs thinking he knows it all when he should be down stairs on the front line listening to the people who put him upstairs in the first place.

Two little plugs won't make a block of that calibre look ugly by any means.

[Cutless009]

I agree cool, I have been anxiously awaiting AC's offerings for the 285, but now that I see what a hassle SLI is going to be, I'll probably wait and see what FUFUFUFUFUFUFUFU has to offer instead, which is a shame because I really like AC's style, I cant imagine why anyone would NOT build a water cooling component for SLI anymore, obviously if you have enough money to water cool, you have enough money to have at least SLI if not TRI SLI cards.

[Septim]

Zlojack, it would still depend on the barb thread length to be used, we don't want long barb threads that go over length and cost added restriction.

Shoggy that x-connect don't look to good... bulky IMHO...

[zlojack]

Zlojack, it would still depend on the barb thread length to be used, we don't want long barb threads that go over length and cost added restriction.

Shoggy that x-connect don't look to good... bulky IMHO...
Short barb threads work fine with an o-ring.

[HESmelaugh]

The SLI-thing certainly seems to be an issue for some. Though I think even among users of liquid cooling, the percentage of SLI-users is probably quite low.

Though I wonder how many people buy one card and say to themselves that they might go for SLI down the road, once the prices drop. Whether they ever do it or not, that might be a segment of people who would avoid AC blocks too.

Would it be possible to manufacture a stainless steel top cover with standoffs and threads? That might be an easy solution for satisfying both the aesthetic crowd and those aiming for SLI?