the best is still custom wc (way less constraints) but with some build plannings wc aio for gpu is not bad too (cheaper also). i cool my msi 980ti ref with nzxt kraken g10 bracket and corsair h110 (280 rad; installed at front of case); max at 42c under loads, room tempertures.

note that there are things that you need to consider if you go for wc aio way with nzxt kraken g10. for instance, pick a gpu with a mid plate preinstalled (some models of evga and msi have it; better mosfet/vram cooling). besides that, the length of aio tube is fixed, so make sure you choose a pc case that can let you install the rad without stretching them. for aio with 120mm/140mm rad, the rad can be installed at rear exhaust. but in my case i have a h110, the only suitable location is at the front of nzxt h440.

maybe a good news to you: 980ti ref /titanx can use mid plate from some of evga 980ti models that still follow standard pcb layouts. adjustments to install bracket are needed (eg. in the case of kraken g10, maybe don't install the nzxt padding thing at the back of gpu pcb, and getting a set of washers to cope with additional thickness due to mid plate). you can get such a mid plate from taobao. (sold separately, cheap)

i use kraken g10 because it can be reused across generations of gpu. (it's just a bracket to hold things) when i used it with my 980ti ref, it was not even in the compatible gpu list yet. for those without mid plate, you can run the fan on bracket at full speed (don't use pwm; just connect it to mobo header; if you wanna keep using it by connecting the fan cable to gpu via a compatible y-cable, customize your fan profile accordingly with apps like msi afterburner).

edit: oh i think you need a 1mm copper shim also. check out these videos - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weV0FlahyDo , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2SFSYl60jk

This post has been edited by horns: Feb 24 2016, 09:35 AM

reading previous posts really brought back a lot of bitter-sweet memories in the old days. s3 virge i remember that haha! it's so nice to look back once in a while

by the way, for asus strix series, for some reasons they don't have mid plate that covers the vram part (afaik based on 980). (msi, evga, etc mostly have it to help dissipate heats from those chips)