GeForce 6800NU - Best Passive/Low Noise Cooler?

[ngfrazier]

What's the best low noise/passive cooler for a regular GeForce 6800? (I?ve got a Coolermaster ATC-201 case with plenty of active cooling, so I?m leaning towards a passive VGA cooling solution.)

Here are the top coolers I'm looking at:

1) Zalman ZM80D-HP Noiseless VGA Cooler: This is a dual-heatpipe passive cooler (fan optional). Zalman states it will not work with 6800 GTS or Ultra (no mention of 6800NU). Cons: Installation is difficult. Requires good airflow. Heat not exhausted from case. Poor documentation on manufacturer?s website.

2) Arctic Cooling NV Silencer 5: Most popular aftermarket cooler for high-end videocards. NV Silencer uses a special blower fan configuration (like in a 1U server) that blows air along the length of the card and exhausting out the PCI slot. Very good cooling performance (on lower 6800 models only). Cons: Build quality seems uneven. Noisy when fully cranked up (according to some ppl). Seems to be a copy of the 6800 Ultra reference cooler design (and offers no better performance).

3) Zalman VF700-CU Copper VGA Cooler: This is a radial fin design like Zalman?s popular CPU coolers. Very effective but still quiet. Cons: Pricey. Active Fan. Heat not exhausted.

4) Logisys All Copper VGA Cooler Model CF206: This looks like an OEM design that just substitutes the aluminum for solid copper cooling performance. Rated as very good cooler. Very good price. Comes with RAM heatsinks. Cons: Loud (relatively). Unknown company. Few reviews. Heat not exhausted from case.

Any and all experiences welcomed!

 

[Operandi]

The best option for the 6800 is the Zalman VF700; it beats the AC in both cooling performance and noise. The ZM80 series can be used unofficially but it needs either very good case cooling or direct cooling with Zalman's optional fan for a card like the the 6800.

Welcome to the forums BTW.

 

[ngfrazier]

I did some more research about the Zalman VF700. According to a review at Adrian's Rojak Pot ( http://www.rojakpot.com/default.aspx?location=3&var1=174&var2=0 ) the VF700 doesn't perform as well as ZM80D-HP (w/active cooling). Also, it's only slightly better than the stock cooler at 5v. You have to set it to 12V to get any real cooling, and that makes it only slightly quieter than the stock cooler. Lastly, it doesn't have the advantage of expelling the hot air outside the case. So, while a good cooler, I would lean towards the NV Silencer (better price, hot air expulsion, and better fan).

EDIT: link to another thread about the VF700 on Anandtech http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=31&threadid=1513502&enterthread=y

 

[gcol]

Sounds like you've already made up your mind anyway.
I would have gone for the NV5 but my 6800GT has a double width pci mounting bracket so I couldn't fit one. I bought a VF700-Cu this week and am really happy with it, it's so much quieter than the stock cooler I can't believe it.

The Gainwards 6800GT GS cooler was mentioned in reviews as being too loud but I thought they were being a bit too picky - having bought the card I know they are right, it makes a right racket.

I have no regrets in buying the VF700-Cu at all. Just waiting for the Arctic Silver 5 to be delivered then the temps should go even lower.

gcol

 

[stackingreasyBBs]

Just to clarify: do you already own the 6800NU or are you thinking about buying one? Because Gigabyte makes a 6800 with a passive heat-pipe cooling solution stock. But if you already have the card, then nevermind.

Edit: I really like the concept of having the hot air exhausted directly from the case, a la NV-5. Seems like the way to go, IMO.

 

[ngfrazier]

Yes, I have a BFG 6800OC. It has a pretty good stock cooler (copper sink plus two fans). However, I'm aiming for a quieter case. My coolermaster ATC-201 definitely has enough active cooling, so that's why I'm leaning so heavily towards a heatpipe solution. But, annoyingly, Zalman has piss-poor documentation on their site.

The ZM80D-HP is reported to work with *some* 6800NU but not all. It will also work with *some* 6800 GTS? with modification (namely, using some of the original screws and hardware). But, Zalman doesn?t recommend using it for 6800-class cards without active cooling, yet this is not a problem for most good aftermarket cases. So, in short, Zalman seems to have dropped pushing heatpipes for high-end cards in favor of the VF700-CU and more traditional designs. Ironically, the ZM80D-HP is a better performer and a more unique product than the VF700-CU. Go figure?

 

[aurellie1]

I though i will never recommend an thermaltake product to cool a video card. But i will
Thermaltake "Schooner" is passive cooler that extends it's heatpipes all the way out of the case. It performs better than zalman passive coolers(even when equiped with fan). I don't remeber the link where i saw the tests, but i remember it is a bit pricey...

 

[ngfrazier]

UPDATE: I found an excellent link to a review of the NV Silencer vs. Zalman vs Thermaltake?.

http://www.moddershq.net/reviews.asp?reviewid=56&pagenumber=2

Summary: NV Silencer > Thermaltake > Zalman
-NV Silencer offers the best *active* cooling solution
-Thermaltake offers the best *passive* cooling

Also, I checked out the cooler that aurellie1 recommends?it?s very impressive and has spectacular reviews. Its negatives seem to be cost, difficult installation, and a protruding heatpipe outside the PCI slot.

I?m no fan of Thermaltake, but their passive VGA coolers are the best on the market now--especially the Schooner.

 

[BBC454]

I just put on the VF700-Cu this week on my 6800GT and it made a big difference in temp. I had the stock cooler on and when running that rhty... program I got a temp of 80C. With the zalman it idles at 48C (6C lower) and gets up to 67C with the same program. I am running it at 5V and can't hear it, and I have a quiet case. I would recommend it to anyone.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: ngfrazier
I did some more research about the Zalman VF700. According to a review at Adrian's Rojak Pot ( http://www.rojakpot.com/default.aspx?location=3&var1=174&var2=0 ) the VF700 doesn't perform as well as ZM80D-HP (w/active cooling). Also, it's only slightly better than the stock cooler at 5v. You have to set it to 12V to get any real cooling, and that makes it only slightly quieter than the stock cooler. Lastly, it doesn't have the advantage of expelling the hot air outside the case. So, while a good cooler, I would lean towards the NV Silencer (better price, hot air expulsion, and better fan).

EDIT: link to another thread about the VF700 on Anandtech http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=31&threadid=1513502&enterthread=y

There are quite a few people on the SPCR forums that have used both the AC coolers and VF700; all indications are the Zalman offers better performance and lower noise. If I had to get an active cooling solution it would either be the ZM80 series or the VF-700.

 

[Azndude51]

Here's a comparo of the VF700 and AC5.