The lucky owners of an RTX 3080 or RTX 3090 who want to install a water block to gain temperature and performance will not have it too easy. The number of different PCBs and the inclusion of a standard model are making things quite complicated. For this reason, we are going to put white on black and recommend the best blocks for FE and standard cards, so that you can choose them without problems.
Best blocks for an RTX 3080 or RTX 3090 Founders Edition or Standard
What we are going to do is divide this article into two distinct sections, since both PCBs are not compatible and choosing the wrong one is certainly a problem. Therefore, we will allocate the sections to Founders Edition on the one hand and Standard (also called Reference) on the other. As is evident, you will have to inform yourself about what type of PCB your GPU carries, since if for example it is custom, you will have to go brand by brand checking compatibility or the specific model.
Blocks for RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 Founders Edition
Bitspower RTX 3080 and RTX 3090
Here you have to be careful, since they are two different blocks and so they are sold as such. The differences are minimal, where the version for RTX 3090 includes a more optimized backplate to improve GPU temperatures.
They have the particularity that the connections and threads are in the final part of the block, so the flow enters it transversely. It includes a fairly advanced jet system that implies having a fixed inlet and outlet for the water if we want the best temperature.
Includes an A-RGB system compatible with all brands that meet the typical 3-pin lighting standard.
The version for RTX 3080 is practically the same except for the projections for the VRAMs and the backplate, which is of a more common and smooth setting.
Alphacool Eisblock Aurora Plexi GPX-N
This block is currently only available for the RTX 3080 and not for the RTX 3090. Its qualities have been improved thanks to carrying a thinner 5.5 mm thick block, which allows better heat transfer to the water and with the GPU .
It features A-RGB lighting, a more optimized internal flow system, improved channeling for the VRMs and RAM, as well as a new-generation beveled design. The block has a new generation system for its jet, where the water travels less distance until it reaches the center of the fins, thereby improving pressure and flow at this point, where the water then disperses to the sides.
Blocks for RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 Standard or Reference
Bitspower Classic RTX 3080
Here the context is given that the block is promoted as for RTX 3080, but in the case of the ZOTAC there is a model ( RTX 3090-24G6X X-GAMING OC ) that also supports the RTX 3090 as such, therefore, it is funny how the GPU manufacturers have placed their cards on the market.
Saving that paragraph, we have a more traditional block than that of its FE brothers. The design is quite innovative, with Plexi at one height, but O-rings in two, so the water passes first to cool certain VRMs and then reaches the jet to get into the fins and jump into a second VRM zone.
As expected, it has A-RGB lighting compatible with the main brands, which also includes a matching backplate as standard.
EK Quantum Vector RTX 3080 RTX 3090 D-RGB
In appearance the simplest block of all those that we are going to see, but perhaps the most effective and well thought out, since the water enters the jet directly where the fins are placed transversely allowing the water to travel two different paths that will cover the entire rest of the PCB.
As it is a reference PCB, you have to take a good look at the GPU model, since for now EK only guarantees three GPU brands with several specific models: Gainward, Palit and PNY . As expected, it has an A-RGB system as standard.
Alphacool Eisblock Aurora Plexi GPX-N RTX
The last of the rivals comes from the hand of Alphacool, where its block is possibly the most complex of all, since the water will travel two different paths at all times in the block, except in the jet of course.
The entrance divides the block in two, cooling on the one hand a VRM zone and on the other it can enter directly into the jet, which is very curious since it has two heights and the water “falls” vertically through a slit that is the one that disperses the flow to the jet and later the fins.
Afterwards, the water takes two different paths horizontally until it reaches two outlets that finally meet, while the other part of the VRM is cooled.
