4870 cooling

[FaceplantSi]

Hi, first post here so thanks in advance for help / comments etc

I have a Powercolour HD4870 1Gb and am looking to change cooler to reduce noise and improve cooling (yeah, I know I want it all !). Have been looking at either Arctic Cooling Accelero Twin Turbo or the Thermalright T-Rad2 but cant decide which to go for (budget not a problem).

Am worried about the reported probs with VRM cooling on the T-Rad2... but it does seem to be the better of the pair. Have read loadsa reviews etc and opinion seem to be split between the T-Rad2 with a pair of 92mm fans or the AC with the fans running 12v off mobo header. What do you guys think?

 

[Mastermnd]

I was just about to post an IDENTICAL message, except mine is a sapphire. I'm also considering the HR03 with some VRM heatsinks (was it called HR09? ... or maybe some other brand).

I am a bit scared about using the stock cooler's plate... is that fear unjustified?

Another thing to take into account is the space it's going to take up. I just bought a new full tower case so everything will fit, but at least i want to have room for a sound card!!!

 

[FaceplantSi]

I went for the AC Accelero in the end as it came with the fans etc (I plugged via the 12v connector to a spare molex from the PSU, so no fan speed control, but you could use the graphics card fan header and then CCC for speed control etc). I added Zalman VGA heatsinks http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-014-ZA&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=787 and also some thermal adhesive tape http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=TH-001-AK&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=27

Glad I did too as after cleaning everything with Arcticlean remover the Zalman sinks were a very good and solid fit with their pre-applied adhesive, but I did have to use the adhesive tape for the VRM sinks after an extensive clean as their pre-applied adhesive was... not very good.

I posted temps in this thread http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17980317

VDDC is higher than with the stock and when under load. I have seen other comments that people have used the red metal baseplate from the stock cooler in tandem with the new cooler as it allows more surface contact with the VRM chips and should therefore have better cooling - didn't try that myself as I wanted to keep the stock unit in one piece. Also that might require a bit of modding to the new heatsink.

Good luck and I'd be interested to hear how you get on.