** 1GB Gigabyte GTX 560 Ti OC PCB Layout **

[Ezy D]

Hi All,

I'm looking into buying a 1GB Gigabyte GTX 560 Ti OC, but I would love if anyone could tell me if the layout of the pcb is of reference design or not ? I know the SOC is not.

The reason I would like to know it that EK are designing a fullcover waterblock for the reference GTX560.

Thanks in advance 

      Ezy D

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

I would say the best way for you to go here would be to ask GGTS regarding this question. I watercool myself and know how difficult it can be to check on these fittings.

I am afraid it will probably take several days to get an answer.

Just enter your email address and click on the language of choice.
GGTS   http://ggts.gigabyte.com/

[Ezy D]

Thanks for the reply Dark Mantis, appreciated 

I'm having a real dilemma with choosing a GTX560, I want a full cover waterblock, but as of yet none exist and I am struggling to find any card that is a reference design. Sad really as I'd buy a Gigabyte GTX560 SOC tomorrow, but then how do I sufficiently cool the power circuitry and memory short of putting a large fan underneath it ? Not something I want to do really, like my current setup I want a minimalist water cooled system with as few fans as is possible.

Anyway thanks again and I'll pass on any information I find out

[Dark Mantis]

I totally understand the problem. I have just upgraded my GPU to a 6970 but had to wait until EK made a waterblock to fit before I could use it. Have you checked EKs site as they are pretty mcuh on the ball with these things?

[Ezy D]

Yep, I emailed EK on the 560 release day. They replied almost instantaneously 

After a lot more research I've come to the conclusion that there is only one reference GTX560 and it is not Gigabyte (i won't name the board). Practically every manufacturer has produced a custom PCB layout.

Hence the way forward is thus:

(a) Purchase the reference GTX560 card and get the EK full cover block (but I'd rather have the Gigabyte). This incenses me a little as the cooling solution influences my card choice.

or

(b) Get the Gigabyte (OC or SOC) but only be able to water cool the GPU and have to use Ram and Mofset heatsinks and perhaps use a fan near them (messy at best).

There is a third way, stick to air cooling which cuts out the cost of water cooling and is a lot less hassle, but where is the fun in that eh ? Also it starts to get very noisy, I'm used to laptop levels of noise from my system 

[Dark Mantis]

Quite I couldn't agree more and it is most annoying to have your options truncated like that just because you want to watercool. I had the same problem with mine.

I always feel it is a shame that the manufacturers of these cards don't also do a water cooling solution that is available even as an option already fitted.

Screw the aircooling solution, I couldn't even hear myself think and that was just with one card apart from the temperatures that are involved.