Originally posted by: honestjohn
Guess Powercolor finally realized there is a problem with X1950 Pro's and they are selling a new version of the Accelero2 with a special Heatspreader for the VRMs.
http://www.arctic-cooling.com/vga2.php?idx=90&data=3&disc=
Arctic Cooling is also selling the Special VRM Heatspreader by itself on EBay for $1.00 + $5.00 shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270082179956
In my opinion they should send one for free to every user who has bought one of their cards already.
From the all the reviews I have read (newegg buyer reviews, e-mags, etc.), I have not read anything about a heat problem with the Powercolor. If there is such a problem, perhaps you can tell me about it. From what I know through my research, Powercolor isn't selling a new version. The first link you provided is from Artic Cooler, not Powercolor, so it is not as if Powercolor has announced a new version for sale. Perhaps this new piece is for use with other, non-Powercolor X1950 Pro's. The reason for this is the area where this heat spreader would go on the Powercolor card is currently occupied by a couple black rectangular chips:
http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/14-131-035-03.jpg
Now if the heat spreader is suppose to lay over these then perhaps it can fit, but considering it has double-sided tape and is suppose to stick/lay flat on that area of the card I just don't see how it would be possible...here is a pic to illustrate from Artic Cooler:
http://www.arctic-cooling.com/pics/AccX2_VRHSM2.gif
Here is the heat spreader instruction manual:
http://www.arctic-cooling.com/downloads...oltage_Regulator_Heatsink_X1950Pro.pdf
I just bought one of these cards yesterday from Mwave so I am hoping the stuff I am saying is correct. Otherwise this would be another hassle I don't really need. Thanks for the info anyways.
*EDIT*
After doing a bit more research it seems that this heat spreader is compatible with the PCI-Express version of the Powercolor X1950, not the AGP. The PCI-Express Version does have area open for the placement of the heat spreader (check the lower right corner of the card):
http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/14-131-027-03.JPG
The AGP card, by contrast, has numerous chips, welds, and other stuff in that area which would prohibit the placement of the heatspreader:
http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/14-131-035-03.JPG
Thus, from what I can conclude, this heat spreader is for PCI-Express cards, not the AGP cards. Perhaps they will come out with something for AGP, but who knows.
If any of you are not sure what the heatspreader looks like, here is a pic:
http://i10.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/86/6e/9f0b_1.JPG