7900 GT Heatsink

[PirreLi]

Are there any good 3rd party heatsinks out that work for this card? Because the stock one looks pretty weak.

 

[chilled]

Agreed. I'd get the Zalman VF900Cu.

 

[firewolfsm]

it looks like the AC Silencer 5 works, i just don't know what REV

 

[MDE]

Zalman VF700 should work.

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: firewolfsm
it looks like the AC Silencer 5 works, i just don't know what REV

Then work, just that the card got a little shorter so it sticks out the back a little. I think, IMO, that the AC Silencer helps a little better with load temps then the VF700.

 

[Zap]

I was looking at the pics of the 7800GT versus the 7900GT (from Newegg) and if you look at the back of the cards you can see the mounting holes line up, but are shifted closer to the "spoon" of the card. I would be concerned that the AC Silencer would bolt on, but extend past the card and out the back of the computer.

 

[PirreLi]

Hmm does anyone have pics of the AC Silencer 5 sticking out the back? I want to know before I choose. But then again they will probably make a new AC Silcencer for the 7900 GT.

 

[Operandi]

Zalman VF-700 > AC Silencer

 

[PirreLi]

So Operandi do you think i would notice a big difference between a VF-700/AC Silencer and the default heatsink of the 7900 GT?

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: PirreLi
So Operandi do you think i would notice a big difference between a VF-700/AC Silencer and the default heatsink of the 7900 GT?

I'm sure you would...

The stock cooler on the 7900GT looks pretty small; knowing that you can make two general assumptions. One, it's probably going to be fairly loud under load. And two overclocking will probably cut short of what would be possible with a better, larger heatsink.

Between the Silencer and the VF-700 the Zalman cools better at a lower noise level And despite what others may say the Silencers exhaust feature has a relatively small if any effect on case temps.

 

[Josh123]

I thought the reason the stock HSF was so
much smaller was there isn't as many parts
as there is on say the 7800GT. So the
card doesnt get as hot.

Although a 3rd party cooler
would be better for OCing I'm sure
the stock cooler does fine as far as cooling
and noise.

 

[strend]

Here you go OP

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1030245

 

[Zap]

Heh, I was right in my assessment.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: PirreLi
So Operandi do you think i would notice a big difference between a VF-700/AC Silencer and the default heatsink of the 7900 GT?

Between the Silencer and the VF-700 the Zalman cools better at a lower noise level And despite what others may say the Silencers exhaust feature has a relatively small if any effect on case temps.

I saw a notable drop in temperatures across the board, ambient and CPU both fell by around 4*C. The difference between the zalman and AC in terms of noise and GPU temperature is very small by all accounts. The exhausted air was the clincher for me and many others.

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: PirreLi
So Operandi do you think i would notice a big difference between a VF-700/AC Silencer and the default heatsink of the 7900 GT?

Between the Silencer and the VF-700 the Zalman cools better at a lower noise level And despite what others may say the Silencers exhaust feature has a relatively small if any effect on case temps.

I saw a notable drop in temperatures across the board, ambient and CPU both fell by around 4*C. The difference between the zalman and AC in terms of noise and GPU temperature is very small by all accounts. The exhausted air was the clincher for me and many others.

I'm with Operandi. I can run my 7800GT at 1.2v idle or 1.538v load for hours on VF700-Cu and case/PWMIC/other internal temps don't so much as budge one degree one way or the other. My video card's heat output has ZERO effect on case temps. If you have good airflow out of your case, the purported benefits of exhause coolers are sort of ridiculous. Or totally ridiculous.

 

[robertk2012]

Originally posted by: the cobbler

Originally posted by: Bobthelost

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: PirreLi
So Operandi do you think i would notice a big difference between a VF-700/AC Silencer and the default heatsink of the 7900 GT?

Between the Silencer and the VF-700 the Zalman cools better at a lower noise level And despite what others may say the Silencers exhaust feature has a relatively small if any effect on case temps.

I saw a notable drop in temperatures across the board, ambient and CPU both fell by around 4*C. The difference between the zalman and AC in terms of noise and GPU temperature is very small by all accounts. The exhausted air was the clincher for me and many others.

I'm with Operandi. I can run my 7800GT at 1.2v idle or 1.538v load for hours on VF700-Cu and case/PWMIC/other internal temps don't so much as budge one degree one way or the other. My video card's heat output has ZERO effect on case temps. If you have good airflow out of your case, the purported benefits of exhause coolers are sort of ridiculous. Or totally ridiculous.

Most people will have trouble having good case flow in the location where the video card is. You cant tell me that having the hot air from the gpu exit the case early is better than having it flow through the entire case.

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: robertk2012

Originally posted by: the cobbler

Originally posted by: Bobthelost

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: PirreLi
So Operandi do you think i would notice a big difference between a VF-700/AC Silencer and the default heatsink of the 7900 GT?

Between the Silencer and the VF-700 the Zalman cools better at a lower noise level And despite what others may say the Silencers exhaust feature has a relatively small if any effect on case temps.

I saw a notable drop in temperatures across the board, ambient and CPU both fell by around 4*C. The difference between the zalman and AC in terms of noise and GPU temperature is very small by all accounts. The exhausted air was the clincher for me and many others.

I'm with Operandi. I can run my 7800GT at 1.2v idle or 1.538v load for hours on VF700-Cu and case/PWMIC/other internal temps don't so much as budge one degree one way or the other. My video card's heat output has ZERO effect on case temps. If you have good airflow out of your case, the purported benefits of exhause coolers are sort of ridiculous. Or totally ridiculous.

Most people will have trouble having good case flow in the location where the video card is. You cant tell me that having the hot air from the gpu exit the case early is better than having it flow through the entire case.

theoreticall sure, but in the real world that doesn't appear to be actually the case. I don't have a degree in thermal dynamics, but it seems to me the heat being generated by the GPU (and much, much less so VRAM) is pretty insignificant when compared with the other sources of heat inside your case. imho, you're only going to see a gain using that tiny weakassed slot cooler if your current airflow situation is just horrendously bad. I mean bad to the point that that sorry little weak slot cooler is actually IMPROVING the situation.

 

[robertk2012]

Originally posted by: the cobbler

Originally posted by: robertk2012

Originally posted by: the cobbler

Originally posted by: Bobthelost

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: PirreLi
So Operandi do you think i would notice a big difference between a VF-700/AC Silencer and the default heatsink of the 7900 GT?

Between the Silencer and the VF-700 the Zalman cools better at a lower noise level And despite what others may say the Silencers exhaust feature has a relatively small if any effect on case temps.

I saw a notable drop in temperatures across the board, ambient and CPU both fell by around 4*C. The difference between the zalman and AC in terms of noise and GPU temperature is very small by all accounts. The exhausted air was the clincher for me and many others.

I'm with Operandi. I can run my 7800GT at 1.2v idle or 1.538v load for hours on VF700-Cu and case/PWMIC/other internal temps don't so much as budge one degree one way or the other. My video card's heat output has ZERO effect on case temps. If you have good airflow out of your case, the purported benefits of exhause coolers are sort of ridiculous. Or totally ridiculous.

Most people will have trouble having good case flow in the location where the video card is. You cant tell me that having the hot air from the gpu exit the case early is better than having it flow through the entire case.

theoreticall sure, but in the real world that doesn't appear to be actually the case. I don't have a degree in thermal dynamics, but it seems to me the heat being generated by the GPU (and much, much less so VRAM) is pretty insignificant when compared with the other sources of heat inside your case. imho, you're only going to see a gain using that tiny weakassed slot cooler if your current airflow situation is just horrendously bad. I mean bad to the point that that sorry little weak slot cooler is actually IMPROVING the situation.

What about those of us who have dfi motherboards with the northbridge/southbridge located right under the video card? Might make a difference there dont you think?

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: robertk2012

Originally posted by: the cobbler

Originally posted by: robertk2012

Originally posted by: the cobbler

Originally posted by: Bobthelost

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: PirreLi
So Operandi do you think i would notice a big difference between a VF-700/AC Silencer and the default heatsink of the 7900 GT?

Between the Silencer and the VF-700 the Zalman cools better at a lower noise level And despite what others may say the Silencers exhaust feature has a relatively small if any effect on case temps.

I saw a notable drop in temperatures across the board, ambient and CPU both fell by around 4*C. The difference between the zalman and AC in terms of noise and GPU temperature is very small by all accounts. The exhausted air was the clincher for me and many others.

I'm with Operandi. I can run my 7800GT at 1.2v idle or 1.538v load for hours on VF700-Cu and case/PWMIC/other internal temps don't so much as budge one degree one way or the other. My video card's heat output has ZERO effect on case temps. If you have good airflow out of your case, the purported benefits of exhause coolers are sort of ridiculous. Or totally ridiculous.

Most people will have trouble having good case flow in the location where the video card is. You cant tell me that having the hot air from the gpu exit the case early is better than having it flow through the entire case.

theoreticall sure, but in the real world that doesn't appear to be actually the case. I don't have a degree in thermal dynamics, but it seems to me the heat being generated by the GPU (and much, much less so VRAM) is pretty insignificant when compared with the other sources of heat inside your case. imho, you're only going to see a gain using that tiny weakassed slot cooler if your current airflow situation is just horrendously bad. I mean bad to the point that that sorry little weak slot cooler is actually IMPROVING the situation.

What about those of us who have dfi motherboards with the northbridge/southbridge located right under the video card? Might make a difference there dont you think?

i was gonna comment about the same thing. heh... having hot air shot outside the rear of the case is better then directly into the northbridge controler on my dfi. Dayam the stupid thing gets hot already as it is.

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: robertk2012

Originally posted by: the cobbler

Originally posted by: robertk2012

Originally posted by: the cobbler

Originally posted by: Bobthelost

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: PirreLi
So Operandi do you think i would notice a big difference between a VF-700/AC Silencer and the default heatsink of the 7900 GT?

Between the Silencer and the VF-700 the Zalman cools better at a lower noise level And despite what others may say the Silencers exhaust feature has a relatively small if any effect on case temps.

I saw a notable drop in temperatures across the board, ambient and CPU both fell by around 4*C. The difference between the zalman and AC in terms of noise and GPU temperature is very small by all accounts. The exhausted air was the clincher for me and many others.

I'm with Operandi. I can run my 7800GT at 1.2v idle or 1.538v load for hours on VF700-Cu and case/PWMIC/other internal temps don't so much as budge one degree one way or the other. My video card's heat output has ZERO effect on case temps. If you have good airflow out of your case, the purported benefits of exhause coolers are sort of ridiculous. Or totally ridiculous.

Most people will have trouble having good case flow in the location where the video card is. You cant tell me that having the hot air from the gpu exit the case early is better than having it flow through the entire case.

theoreticall sure, but in the real world that doesn't appear to be actually the case. I don't have a degree in thermal dynamics, but it seems to me the heat being generated by the GPU (and much, much less so VRAM) is pretty insignificant when compared with the other sources of heat inside your case. imho, you're only going to see a gain using that tiny weakassed slot cooler if your current airflow situation is just horrendously bad. I mean bad to the point that that sorry little weak slot cooler is actually IMPROVING the situation.

What about those of us who have dfi motherboards with the northbridge/southbridge located right under the video card? Might make a difference there dont you think?

you mean like on the DFI UT NF4 boards that you and I both have?

I dunno, I just don't see it. Slot coolers are quite simply marginally effective. You wouldn't put one in your case otherwise, so why are they suddenly more effective when they're attached to a video card? I used to think the NB had a big effect on heat building up under and around the card, until I flipped the fan on my TT BigTyphoon so that it draws air away from the CPU/mobo rather than pushes it downward. The back of the video card went from hot to downright cool, and my chipset and PWMIC temps dropped about 5 degrees. Surprisingly, CPU load and idle dropped a degree or two as well. Just as a mini-stability check, I ran SP2004 for a few hours yesterday with rthdribl going fullscreen for an hour of that period. The only temps in the whole system that went over 38 (CPU) were the PWMIC at ~42, and the GPU core at ~62 load. Everything else stayed in the 30s or below.

it just seems to me as though the Zalman might be more effective even without the slot cooler, because the core isn't "waiting" on hot air to be pulled out the back of the case in order to pull in cooler air...it's constantly circulating. The problem with the slot-type coolers, imho, is that you've got all the heat from the GPU and vram built up inside a slot that is physically attached to the card and connected to a weak fan. So great, you have a slot cooler built in, but isn't really just an extra heater constantly blowing hot air under the card? Again, I just don't see the benefit.

 

[aigomorla]

ummm.. also i dont think i can use the VF700-Cu in SLI. The lower vid card will just end up heating the top one, and there wont be effective air going though.

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
ummm.. also i dont think i can use the VF700-Cu in SLI. The lower vid card will just end up heating the top one, and there wont be effective air going though.

that will happen with any cooling system. Heat rises, I can't help that, and there is heat coming off the backside of the bottom card.

fwiw, who said anything about SLi anyway?

for argument's sake, I would imagine several newer mobos can handle 2x VF700Cus in Sli. I'm thinking the Asus Sli boards, AN832, DFI Venus, etc. all have huge clearance between the two cards.

but if you want to do SLI right, it ought to be under water

 

[the cobbler]

lolz, jmo of course

 

[Bobthelost]

it seems to me the heat being generated by the GPU (and much, much less so VRAM) is pretty insignificant when compared with the other sources of heat inside your case. imho, you're only going to see a gain using that tiny weakassed slot cooler if your current airflow situation is just horrendously bad. I mean bad to the point that that sorry little weak slot cooler is actually IMPROVING the situation.

Not always, the 7900 range is very cool running, as such they only draw around 60W-100W but if you're looking at the X1900XT(X) ranges then they generate more heat than a prescot does. Even at the lower end of the 7900 range that's around half to two thirds of what a high end CPU generates (AMD CPU that is).

The point is that most of the graphics card heat doesn't get into the sytem at all. Also the airflow path is much cleaner, less turbulence etc. (especially in well laid out cases like the P180).

 

[unsped]

does an X1 accelero fit on the 7900?