POLL : what's the best aftermarket cooler for the x1900xtx?

[anandtechrocks]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
I've seen more benches of hte Zalman beating out the X2. That Madshrimps article is questionable for that reason.

I've only seen 1 review showing the VF900 is better and it was that BS Sudhian article. Over at XS they have a huge thread comparing the VF900 and the X2. Most people overthere are returning/ cancelling their VF900s and getting X2s.

Here is the thread:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=93803

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1354077&postcount=4

PLUS the X2 is only 19.99... I think the Accelero is a much better deal (and cooler!)

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=1857247&enterthread=y

Edit: DLeRium, I have seen a few instances where the VF900 outpaces the X2, but it's only when it is an open bench. Most people keep their computers in cases (Like the Madshrimps review), and I've talked to the writer of that review, he has no reason to be biased towards either company.

 

[NoDamage]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
I've seen more benches of hte Zalman beating out the X2. That Madshrimps article is questionable for that reason.

Nonsense. Most of those reviews you have seen aren't even conducted properly, which is why you see the Accelero performing so poorly. Many reviewers have completely neglected the fan speed setting on the Accelero when performing their temperature measurements, which causes a huge difference in temps.

Remember, the VF900 is run off the power supply or motherboard, providing a constant supply of voltage to the fan. But the Accelero X2 runs off the video card fan header. On many video cards, including the X1900XTX, the fan voltage is throttled down dramatically, and never even hits 100% in most situations. If you slap an Accelero X2 and don't manually adjust the fan settings via ATI Tool, your fan is only spinning at 36-50% most of the time. Cranking up the fan to 100% (of which there is no audible difference) reduces load temps significantly, often by 10-15C. Most others have completely neglected or simply forgotten this parameter in their testing, resulting in the Accelero X2 performing much worse than it potentially could.

The Madshrimps roundup is the only one that has been completely thorough and accounted for fan speeds and voltages, which are listed along with the temperature settings for each cooler.

 

[Remedy]

Ironiclly, The Arctic Cooling X2 is on sale for $19.99 with coupon code: ACCELERO

Now there is No reason not to buy the Accelero X2. It's too cheap to pass up now @ $19.

 

[buzzsaw13]

If you've got space under the PCI-e slot and don't mind a little work to get the cooler on, I'd say try and slap a Zalman 7000B AlCu on it. I've tried it on my old X1800XT, but there wasn't enough space under the PCI-e slot to put the card in.

There was a thread over at XtremeSystems but I can't seem to find it right now.

EDIT: Heres the thread

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=86530&highlight=X1800XT+Zalman

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: NoDamage

Originally posted by: DLeRium
I've seen more benches of hte Zalman beating out the X2. That Madshrimps article is questionable for that reason.

Cranking up the fan to 100% (of which there is no audible difference) reduces load temps significantly, often by 10-15C.

Actually, IIRC, the temps don't change when going from 25% to 100%, as per the Madshrimps roundup.

 

[josh6079]

THIS

is the best cooler for the X1900XTX

 

[NoDamage]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: NoDamage

Originally posted by: DLeRium
I've seen more benches of hte Zalman beating out the X2. That Madshrimps article is questionable for that reason.

Cranking up the fan to 100% (of which there is no audible difference) reduces load temps significantly, often by 10-15C.

Actually, IIRC, the temps don't change when going from 25% to 100%, as per the Madshrimps roundup.

Perhaps not for the 7800GT, but they do make a huge difference for the X1900XTX.

 

[Barkotron]

Originally posted by: JBT
While I do own a Accelero X2 so I'm a bit biased. I think the X2 is the best bang for the buck being cheapest and around ~2nd in cooling ability.

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: wizboy11
You forgot to add the NV Silencer 5 to the list

LOL WTF the OP actually added it. The NV Silencer 5 doesn't even work with ATI cards... In any case, it's not the best cooler by a long shot.

Also Howard the NV Silencer 5 fits just fine on the X1900 cards and it does a pretty good job cooling it too.

How? I mean, I can see that it looks like it should at least fit on top without much trouble, but you certainly won't get any/proper memory cooling, it that makes any difference. I can't find any info about anyone even trying this either. Got any links?

 

[framerateuk]

Contrary to bad reports about the VF900, ive got one and it works a treat. Temps are at least 10-15 degrees cooler than stock, and with the fan on full its dead quiet.

I didnt buy the Accelero as it was too tall to fit below the PCI extractor on my Lian-Li case, but the VF900 in conjunction with this works brilliantly, the air sucked straight from the case. (i also didnt like the positioning of the air output on the X2, i didnt like the fact that it just expelled the air towards the motherboard and the card next door).

 

[Remedy]

Originally posted by: Barkotron

Originally posted by: JBT
While I do own a Accelero X2 so I'm a bit biased. I think the X2 is the best bang for the buck being cheapest and around ~2nd in cooling ability.

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: wizboy11
You forgot to add the NV Silencer 5 to the list

LOL WTF the OP actually added it. The NV Silencer 5 doesn't even work with ATI cards... In any case, it's not the best cooler by a long shot.

Also Howard the NV Silencer 5 fits just fine on the X1900 cards and it does a pretty good job cooling it too.

How? I mean, I can see that it looks like it should at least fit on top without much trouble, but you certainly won't get any/proper memory cooling, it that makes any difference. I can't find any info about anyone even trying this either. Got any links?

Read the thread.