These days, with active backplate blocks, you can spend 500€ on watercooling a GPU. And don't forget the support for a GPU that's carrying about 2kg of copper in the end.

Pure insanity! Optimus Cooling has proven one does not need an active back plate on their waterblock if the back plate is designed with heat dissipation in mind. Not just for aesthetics as most are truly built that way already. My Optimus block cost me just over $300 and that was enough for me to consider not doing it. These blocks just like @fantaskarsef has said will be over $500!! Don't forget them fittings as well as those will always add up. $15-30 a piece for most compression fittings. Not worth it at all. Not to mention it is one more thing in your loop to potentially fail. And that added weight. They've got pretty things now to aide in that endeavor. 3090 cooled by Optimus https://imgur.com/a/OOr8Fbg

Really depends on loop and for what you use your GPU, VRAM on RTX 3090 is running hot and in some cases like on Founders Edition is very close to thermal throttling Do you really need active backplate? I would say yes in some cases, in my case I don't need actice backplate but would love to try it on my RTX 3090s just for testing, mostly this depends on the waterblock and case airflow etc if you are really need active backplate or not In my case with Bykski waterblocks and backplates VRAM temperatures are on top in 60's and bottom in 70's during the rendering, both GPUs are running KPE XOC 1000W BIOS and both running OC VRAM, top is running 1495MHz and bottom is running 1250MHz,replacing thermal pads for something like Thermalright Odyssey or Gelid Extreme I would assume VRAM temperatures would drop by good margin, got all pads for both GPUs and see when I will replace the pads I tested like EKWB and Alphacool and Bykski waterblocks on my two RTX 3090 and still prefer Bykski with which I have lowest temperatures Optimus waterblocks seems are best, but sadly they don't make waterblocks for reference PCB or Founders Edition, they're making only for FTW3 or Strix or KPE and its no option for me plus availability of them is how to say is nit best plus shipping from USA and taxes, it will cost me in the end landed in region of £400 or more Good airflow over GPU backplate with 120mm fan pointed out on the backplate with larger heatsink on the backplates an you can lower VRAM temperatures by 10-20°C and then you can decide if you are really need active backplate or not Hope this helps Thanks, Jura

jura11:

Really depends on loop and for what you use your GPU, VRAM on RTX 3090 is running hot and in some cases like on Founders Edition is very close to thermal throttling Do you really need active backplate? I would say yes in some cases, in my case I don't need actice backplate but would love to try it on my RTX 3090s just for testing, mostly this depends on the waterblock and case airflow etc if you are really need active backplate or not In my case with Bykski waterblocks and backplates VRAM temperatures are on top in 60's and bottom in 70's during the rendering, both GPUs are running KPE XOC 1000W BIOS and both running OC VRAM, top is running 1495MHz and bottom is running 1250MHz,replacing thermal pads for something like Thermalright Odyssey or Gelid Extreme I would assume VRAM temperatures would drop by good margin, got all pads for both GPUs and see when I will replace the pads I tested like EKWB and Alphacool and Bykski waterblocks on my two RTX 3090 and still prefer Bykski with which I have lowest temperatures Optimus waterblocks seems are best, but sadly they don't make waterblocks for reference PCB or Founders Edition, they're making only for FTW3 or Strix or KPE and its no option for me plus availability of them is how to say is nit best plus shipping from USA and taxes, it will cost me in the end landed in region of £400 or more Good airflow over GPU backplate with 120mm fan pointed out on the backplate with larger heatsink on the backplates an you can lower VRAM temperatures by 10-20°C and then you can decide if you are really need active backplate or not Hope this helps Thanks, Jura

Nice... Really nice. What are the core frequencies of the respective GPU's if you don't mind? I mean damn I had to literally triple check to make sure that wasn't your core speed that you mentioned! HA!! My 3090 and most scenarios unless I'm stressed testing. Doesn't truly exceed around 500 watts. I just ran VR Mark right now and hit 629. Truly great and interesting times we're living right now...

DeskStar:

Nice... Really nice. What are the core frequencies of the respective GPU's if you don't mind? I mean damn I had to literally triple check to make sure that wasn't your core speed that you mentioned! HA!! My 3090 and most scenarios unless I'm stressed testing. Doesn't truly exceed around 500 watts. I just ran VR Mark right now and hit 629. Truly great and interesting times we're living right now...

Hi there Both GPUs are running 2115-2130MHz,in some games I can push 2145-2160MHz as max with +1495MHz extra on VRAM on top one and bottom one I'm running extra +1250MHz on VRAM, sadly my Palit RTX 3090 GamingPro's are not best clockers and temperatures won't break 36-38°C on all GPUs in rendering and gaming as well In some benchmarks I can run 2175MHz but that's absolutely max, I don't think my Palit would be able run 2205MHz or anything above that My old Asus RTX 2080Ti Strix has been great clocker, that GPU would clock 2205-2220MHz and in most games I run 2175-2190MHz OC and in some games I could push 2205MHz quite easily This Kingpin KPE XOC 1000W BIOS allows me to not to hit power limit in gaming or rendering Would love to test FTW3 or Strix and see how they will clock in my loop, maybe once I will get Strix or FTW3 but for now I'm quite happy what I have Hope this helps Thanks, Jura

jura11:

Hi there Both GPUs are running 2115-2130MHz,in some games I can push 2145-2160MHz as max with +1495MHz extra on VRAM on top one and bottom one I'm running extra +1250MHz on VRAM, sadly my Palit RTX 3090 GamingPro's are not best clockers and temperatures won't break 36-38°C on all GPUs in rendering and gaming as well In some benchmarks I can run 2175MHz but that's absolutely max, I don't think my Palit would be able run 2205MHz or anything above that My old Asus RTX 2080Ti Strix has been great clocker, that GPU would clock 2205-2220MHz and in most games I run 2175-2190MHz OC and in some games I could push 2205MHz quite easily This Kingpin KPE XOC 1000W BIOS allows me to not to hit power limit in gaming or rendering Would love to test FTW3 or Strix and see how they will clock in my loop, maybe once I will get Strix or FTW3 but for now I'm quite happy what I have Hope this helps Thanks, Jura

Shit'chea it helps. Makes me feel like I need to "stretch my legs" over here on my 3090. I do game at roughly 2115-2100 steadily and same with rendering. Haven't tried to push any harder than what I attained with air at this moment. My FTW3 Ultra 3090 is as well running the kingpin BIOS also. the original one for that matter. here's to hoping they offer up a newer one if they haven't already. "resize-bar" capable maybe? and thanks again for the response/information on the matter.

DeskStar:

crap'chea it helps. Makes me feel like I need to "stretch my legs" over here on my 3090. I do game at roughly 2115-2100 steadily and same with rendering. Haven't tried to push any harder than what I attained with air at this moment. My FTW3 Ultra 3090 is as well running the kingpin BIOS also. the original one for that matter. here's to hoping they offer up a newer one if they haven't already. "resize-bar" capable maybe? and thanks again for the response/information on the matter.

Hi there You will see how you get on there with your GPU, as always everything depends on silicone lottery, with my Palit RTX 3090 GamingPro's I didn't won silicone lottery hahaha, I would say they're average clockers, not bad and not the best, just average 2100-2115MHz are good clocks for gaming, you always can try OC bit more and squeeze more clocks, in some games I can push 2145-2160MHz but that's just in some games, in most cases I'm using 2115-2130MHz OC profile which is more than enough From what I read and seen, Kingpin and Strix with Galax HoF series are best clockers and with them you will have best chances of getting a better scores or OC, but hard to say there Kingpin XOC 1000W BIOS I use on my both RTX 3090 GamingPro's, both are running capped at 75% for rendering and for gaming,but again that's depending on the game like Cyberpunk 2077 or Assassin's Creed Valhalla where I usually run uncapped Kingpin XOC 1000W BIOS and power draw is going out of window hahaha There is Kingpin XOC 1000W BIOS with ReBAR in wild but most of the people won't release that or won't leak that BIOS and we need to wait on release of that BIOS from Vince or someone else Did you tried Kingpin 520W BIOS which should work great on your 3090? Hope this helps Thanks, Jura

jura11:

Hi there You will see how you get on there with your GPU, as always everything depends on silicone lottery, with my Palit RTX 3090 GamingPro's I didn't won silicone lottery hahaha, I would say they're average clockers, not bad and not the best, just average 2100-2115MHz are good clocks for gaming, you always can try OC bit more and squeeze more clocks, in some games I can push 2145-2160MHz but that's just in some games, in most cases I'm using 2115-2130MHz OC profile which is more than enough From what I read and seen, Kingpin and Strix with Galax HoF series are best clockers and with them you will have best chances of getting a better scores or OC, but hard to say there Kingpin XOC 1000W BIOS I use on my both RTX 3090 GamingPro's, both are running capped at 75% for rendering and for gaming,but again that's depending on the game like Cyberpunk 2077 or Assassin's Creed Valhalla where I usually run uncapped Kingpin XOC 1000W BIOS and power draw is going out of window hahaha There is Kingpin XOC 1000W BIOS with ReBAR in wild but most of the people won't release that or won't leak that BIOS and we need to wait on release of that BIOS from Vince or someone else Did you tried Kingpin 520W BIOS which should work great on your 3090? Hope this helps Thanks, Jura

Thanks a lot truly. And yes I have been stretching them "legs" on the OCing as of now. 1350+ from 1250 on memory and all seems fine now. I have mine steeped down to %70 for most daily driving, but most games usually stop around 500ish in power draw. With the GPU's you mentioned would that be with the Galax HOF BIOS's on them? And would that help on my EVGA 3090? I only have the 1KW bios on my card. Would the 500 something one make a difference over that of the 1KW? Now games running Vulcan seem to be able to make use of more power. Wolfenstein 2 draws up to 600-630 consistently throughout the gaming session. Do not own Valhalla, but do have cyberpunk and wouldn't mind giving that a go with uncapped power. If you don't mind me asking what does your power usage get to when running those specified games? I've only hit over 700 Watts in furmark just to see if it would for a few seconds. And yeah it will use up that power if it's available in furmark. Nothing I care to use at all just for stability and power draw sakes.

DeskStar:

Thanks a lot truly. And yes I have been stretching them "legs" on the OCing as of now. 1350+ from 1250 on memory and all seems fine now. I have mine steeped down to %70 for most daily driving, but most games usually stop around 500ish in power draw. With the GPU's you mentioned would that be with the Galax HOF BIOS's on them? And would that help on my EVGA 3090? I only have the 1KW bios on my card. Would the 500 something one make a difference over that of the 1KW? Now games running Vulcan seem to be able to make use of more power. Wolfenstein 2 draws up to 600-630 consistently throughout the gaming session. Do not own Valhalla, but do have cyberpunk and wouldn't mind giving that a go with uncapped power. If you don't mind me asking what does your power usage get to when running those specified games? I've only hit over 700 Watts in furmark just to see if it would for a few seconds. And yeah it will use up that power if it's available in furmark. Nothing I care to use at all just for stability and power draw sakes.

Hi there Sorry for late reply there One of my RTX 3090 will do +1515MHz on VRAM but that's only in benchmarks like Superposition or Port Royal or Fire Strike etc, for normal gaming +1295MHz or +1250MHz is more usable VRAM profile, other RTX 3090 GamingPro will crash anything beyond +1205MHz on VRAM and in rendering they are both running usually 2115-2130MHz Is that VRAM OC stable with 1350MHz in gaming ? If yes then I would be very happy with that, because I can't run more than +1295MHz or +1250MHz in gaming or rendering Reporting of power draw on 2*8-pin GPU is messed up and usually I use killawatt meter or use calculations like 820*0.696 which is around 570W Cyberpunk 2077 pulls like 550-570W in 3440x1440 with everything maxed out, Assassin's Creed Valhalla pulls pretty much same and in rendering each GPU pulls 480-580W as max what I have seen In some games or renderings I uncapp my power limits but usually I run them in 75-85% as max because there are no many games which pulls as much I didn't tested yet HoF BIOS and can't comment how it works or how much that BIOS pulls and I'm not sure how many people do use HOF BIOS I don't think we can pull 1000W from our GPUs unless we have Kingpin and volt mods etc, most of people pulls something like 700-750W from Kingpin KPE 1000W XOC BIOS, maybe with some volt mods through the Elmor EVC or Classified tool from Kingpin and Vince etc we can pull more than that Wolfenstein 2 I do have but never tried to play it on RTX 3090 just with RTX 2080Ti Strix in past but will do tests later next week probably Quake RTX pulls probably most on KPE XOC 1000W BIOS what I heard and read, didn't tested that game yet and can't comment how much KPE XOC 1000W BIOS pulls there from wall Port Royal in my case usually hits something around like 83-85% from KPE XOC 1000W BIOS,Cyberpunk 2077 hits something like 75-80% and Control as well hits in some places 75-85%,Assassin's Creed Valhalla as well hits something around that figure in some places and Days Gone too there I was hitting like 815W but that's is misreporting because of KPE XOC 1000W BIOS misreporting power draw from non existent 3rd 8-pin and power draw in reality is 550-570W Kingpin KPE XOC 1000W BIOS on 2*8-pin GPU in reality will pull something around 660-680W as max, not sure how much it will pull on FTW3 or Strix or other 3*8-pin GPUs, sadly I didn't yet tested Asus RTX 3090 Strix OC or EVGA FTW3 or Galax HoF etc Hope this helps Thanks, Jura

jura11:

Hi there Sorry for late reply there One of my RTX 3090 will do +1515MHz on VRAM but that's only in benchmarks like Superposition or Port Royal or Fire Strike etc, for normal gaming +1295MHz or +1250MHz is more usable VRAM profile, other RTX 3090 GamingPro will crash anything beyond +1205MHz on VRAM and in rendering they are both running usually 2115-2130MHz Is that VRAM OC stable with 1350MHz in gaming ? If yes then I would be very happy with that, because I can't run more than +1295MHz or +1250MHz in gaming or rendering Reporting of power draw on 2*8-pin GPU is messed up and usually I use killawatt meter or use calculations like 820*0.696 which is around 570W Cyberpunk 2077 pulls like 550-570W in 3440x1440 with everything maxed out, Assassin's Creed Valhalla pulls pretty much same and in rendering each GPU pulls 480-580W as max what I have seen In some games or renderings I uncapp my power limits but usually I run them in 75-85% as max because there are no many games which pulls as much I didn't tested yet HoF BIOS and can't comment how it works or how much that BIOS pulls and I'm not sure how many people do use HOF BIOS I don't think we can pull 1000W from our GPUs unless we have Kingpin and volt mods etc, most of people pulls something like 700-750W from Kingpin KPE 1000W XOC BIOS, maybe with some volt mods through the Elmor EVC or Classified tool from Kingpin and Vince etc we can pull more than that Wolfenstein 2 I do have but never tried to play it on RTX 3090 just with RTX 2080Ti Strix in past but will do tests later next week probably Quake RTX pulls probably most on KPE XOC 1000W BIOS what I heard and read, didn't tested that game yet and can't comment how much KPE XOC 1000W BIOS pulls there from wall Port Royal in my case usually hits something around like 83-85% from KPE XOC 1000W BIOS,Cyberpunk 2077 hits something like 75-80% and Control as well hits in some places 75-85%,Assassin's Creed Valhalla as well hits something around that figure in some places and Days Gone too there I was hitting like 815W but that's is misreporting because of KPE XOC 1000W BIOS misreporting power draw from non existent 3rd 8-pin and power draw in reality is 550-570W Kingpin KPE XOC 1000W BIOS on 2*8-pin GPU in reality will pull something around 660-680W as max, not sure how much it will pull on FTW3 or Strix or other 3*8-pin GPUs, sadly I didn't yet tested Asus RTX 3090 Strix OC or EVGA FTW3 or Galax HoF etc Hope this helps Thanks, Jura

Have been running everything I have had the chance to and it all holds up in games. Have it stable at +1350 on the memory at the current moment. And always thanks again for the information and time responding,