GTX 980 Water Block Round Up

NVidia Reference GTX 980 Water Block Roundup

In this review we’ll be taking a look at all the after market watercooling blocks for the NVidia’s GTX 980 reference card.  As always a big thanks to AquaTuning, AquaComputer, EK Waterblocks, Koolance, Performance PC’s and XSPC for supporting ExtremeRigs with a test samples.  For our testing we used EVGA’s GTX 980 SuperClock.  While not technically a reference card, it uses a reference compatible PCB in combination with an improved air cooler.

As usual we have individual reviews for each block listed below – while this thread will be more general in focus.

Alphacool NexXxos GPX GTX 980 M02

AquaComputer Kryographics for GTX 980

Bitspower VG-GTX980

EK Waterblocks EK-FC-980 GTX

Koolance VID-NX980

Swiftech Komodo-NV-GTX9

XSPC XS-GTX-980

So clearly we have a variety of styles both functionally wise as well as aesthetically.  It’s worth noting that although the real reference card comes with a backplate not all reference compatible PCBs do.  For example our EVGA ACX based 980 did not come with a backplate.  Some manufacturer’s offered backplates, while Koolance and Swiftech did not.  Here are the options for those who want an after market backplate:

Alphacool – included with the block:
Aqua Computer offer this backplate in both active (heatpiped version as shown) and a passive version:

Bitspower – shorter black version included with the block, full size ones in many colors are available:
EK – backplate is extra and there are colored/plated options in addition to the usual black:

Let’s move on!