4870X2 Heat...!

[Steves1982]

I thought the 2GB was split so each GPU got 1GB and so it's only effectively a 1GB card because of the whole crossfire thing?

That's what I meant, even though it's a single card physically you still get a lot of the problems associated with xfire so rarely utilise all 2gb (in my experience). I've noticed a difference switching to a 'true' 2gb card.

 

[Scougar]

Maybe getting second hand watercooling parts and building a cheap mini loop?

doesnt make financial sense really.

 

[kedge]

Yeah the 4870X2 is hot and noisy under load, i gave the card to a family member but the 5970 is just as noisy and as hot.

 

[Geckovich]

Remove the plastic shroud and just cable tie a 120mm/2 80mm fan(s) onto the exposed alu heatsink - that should help. Hell, if it doesn't help then it's only set you back the cost of a few cable ties and you can put the shroud back on.

 

[layte]

The main problem with the x2 is that the stock cooling solution is a complete joke. This is what I found when I dismantled mine so I could install a Arctic Cooling after market part.

http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~layte/pics/IMG_0065.JPG

And here is the Arctic Cooling solution: http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~layte/pics/IMG_0118.JPG

 

[Scougar]

Remove the plastic shroud and just cable tie a 120mm/2 80mm fan(s) onto the exposed alu heatsink - that should help. Hell, if it doesn't help then it's only set you back the cost of a few cable ties and you can put the shroud back on.

TBH it didn't actually improve temperatures when I tried that, BUT it did significantly decrease the noise (TBH that could be because I wasn't using the X-Brackets at the time).

 

[arc@css]

Those Arctic Accelero coolers do look damn nice. Not that mine has needed it but I kind of wished I had put one of those on, even if only for the noise when under load.

 

[Scougar]

I was in the same position, and as the card was only worth about £100 (give or take), I couldn't justify spending almost another £50 on a new accelero. Watercooling ONLY if you already have a partial setup, or just Ghetto cool it