7970/50 Arctic Accelero Users

[LtMatt]

The Official Accelero Xtreme 7970/50 Thread

This is the best possible heatsink placement for the best possible VRM cooling on this card using the stock heatsinks.

You need to use Accelero permanent adhesive to get the best possible hold on the heatsink. Using thermal tape/pads or the included G1 glue is not ideal. It doesn't hold well like the adhesive does. Depending on where you get the accelero from it may come with the adhesive as standard. If you get an old accelero it will come with G1 temp glue.

You can buy Adhesive from Accelero here. It will he shipped from Hong Kong. If you want the best vrm temps and the best hold, i highly recommend you use it. - http://www.arctic.ac/en/p/accessories/587/thermal-adhesive.html




Notice there is a black heatsink. That is from this piece of kit here. - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-038-AL&groupid=701&catid=2330&subcat=787

It was only slightly better than the stock Accelero long thin heatsink which i had there before so you can use either.

 

[LtMatt]

I wondered the same thing about the small heatsink at the bottom when I fitted mine. In the end, I went with playing it safe and just stuck to exactly the sinks in that picture as I went from the same review.

Hehe thats good to know. I will probably do the same.

After getting it all together and in place, the only thing I would do differently would be to use the larger, angled heatsinks on the right hand side with the overhangs pointing towards the power connectors on the card. This wouldn't have any issues with clearance in this area, and it might keep what's under them (memory?) a little cooler, which never hurts.

Which one do you mean? Could you mark it on the picture.

I've seen some people moan about the glue not seeming like it's going to work, so they used thermal pads, etc. I simply used the glue they provided, put the heatsinks on at 10pm then returned to finish it off at 9am the next day. All the sinks have stayed in place during use and I've had zero issues.

I was going to try tape tbh, but i heard it gives slightly worse cooling performance but is much quicker and easier to install.

I was pretty nervous doing it, but it actually was easier than I thought it'd be from the pictures, reviews, etc, and I've loved the difference in noise, temperature, noise and noise!

Just what i needed to hear, im pretty nervous as well.

What are the vrm temps like as some people have reported higher temps on the vrms.

I take it you're not going for watercooling then?

As for your question, just try placing them on (no TIM) and see if they fit

No really don't like the look of tubes going everywhere, plus it sounds like a lot of hassle.

The only hot/noisy thing in my case is the 7970 and once this is (hopefully) fitted safely everything will be cool and quiet.

 

[LtMatt]

Thanks Moog.

Its not often i like to say this but white is right in your case.

I was thinking about buying some tape instead as it would be so much quicker and easier.

What does everyone think about that?

Would this be ok to use?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=TH-001-AK

 

[LtMatt]

I would use the glue that comes with it tbh. If the sinks fall off you could end up with problems.

It takes a while to set but if you do it last thing at night it will be set by morning. It's worth doing properly and taking your time.

Just take note the length of the card with the cooler fitted. In my arc midi I could not fit the second card as the cooler sticks out slightly further than the drive bays.

Ok thanks, maybe the tape is not such a good idea then.

I definitely have enough space in my 600t as i removed the front drive bay.

 

[LtMatt]

Just bought this aswell mine comes tomorrow!

So does mine.

Good luck.

I hope to see a mini 'project log' with photo's when you do this, otherwise I will be disappointed. Good luck with it and remember to take your time, don't rush!

You've got two chances of me doing a build log, fat chance and no chance.

The only log ill be doing in the next 24 hours is on the toilet with a copy of the sun. It won't be a mini log, thats for sure.

Let me know if you want any photo's of that.

EDIT

Btw i decided to avoid the tape and go with the Arctic glue stuff.

 

[LtMatt]

I dunno, my secretary's on Christmas break. You'll have to find out yourself

Unless it's passive, there's no such thing as a silent cooler

Btw Matt, I'd advise looking into a set of these unless it's too late http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-038-AL&groupid=701&catid=2330&subcat=

Its too late im afraid. Will try the arctic ones and see how they go.

As long as temps on the VRM/MEM stay below 85c ill be happy.

75c and below and ill be delighted.

 

[LtMatt]

What if you need to RMA the card, and all that stuff is stuck to the board?

Apparently this Arctic Glue comes off, so can attach the original heatsink.

 

[LtMatt]

As long as he cleans it off properly and returns the card to bone stock, there shouldn't be an issue.

Tomorrow is D day Petey.

 

[LtMatt]

Best O luck

Just in case you never see me again...

 

[LtMatt]

Matt u need to ring me and we can talk each other thru it! I'm bricking it badly cause if I ruin my card ill be so bored without bf3 over Xmas lol

Lol i feel your pain m8.

I have found this which i think should help us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3l_TGld3jU

Also this review has some pictures of what it should look like with everything in the right place.

http://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/zardon/arctic-accelero-xtreme-7970-cooler-review/

Thats what ill be using. We can do it if we B & Q it.

 

[LtMatt]

Cheers for the links bud! Gonna do mine tomorrow night and let it set overnight then get it all up and running sat morning!

Yeah same here mate.

If it arrives before 12 on friday i might get it done earlier.

 

[LtMatt]

Hmm tempted aswell could always do it in afternoon! Go watch hobbit and come back and play with it! Keep us updated on here tho bud! Be good to see how u get on with it!

Yeah will do man. If you never hear from me again assume the worst!

 

[LtMatt]

Question.

Where do you we put the clear plastic strips? That's the only part im not clear on atm.

I've also found a better picture to use of where the heatsinks should be. This is different from some of the other reviews ive seen online but this seems to be a better position for some of the sinks. This is the one i will be copying me thinks.

 

[LtMatt]

Never did work that one out to be honest. I know they're there to stop metal on the sinks shorting against metal on the PCB, but couldn't really see where they were meant to go. Can't actually remember if I even fitted them in the end, so probably not that important!

Hmm, that still worries me Stu.

Ted from DPD is due between 12-1pm so hopefully someone has an answer by then.

 

[LtMatt]

The clear strips go against the edges of the chokes on the PWM's. There are metal contacts there that can short if you have a heatsink against them.

This guy has done a video that might be helpfull...

Using a decent rubber on the Ram chips and Vrm chips is also very important as the stock heat pads leave an oily residue.

I know there is one set here



But where is the other?

 

[LtMatt]

That's it. That is the only place I put the strips and as far as I can tell the only place they are needed. I put a strip on the choke side and a strip on the other side just to be safe.

Two stripes there hmm? So one strip on the metal bit and one strip where? Dumb it down as much as possible.

 

[LtMatt]

Ok Moog's thanks.

Ted should be here shortly.

 

[LtMatt]

Its here Westie.

Time to get to work...

 

[LtMatt]

If you take your time it's a really simple fit. The hardest bit for me was getting the little stick on washers off the backing paper.

Yeah this is the part i cant do so far. Think ive already ruined a couple of them, my hands are just too big.

Also it doesnt seem to be double sided adhesive, the washers just fall right off.

Only one side seems to be sticky.

 

[LtMatt]

They should be double sided ? I used a model knife to part them from the backing.

Mine got all ruined, so i just crushed them, then torn em apart and used bits of them to stick the washers to it. I have four left for the backplate which i will be more careful with. Stupid how you dont get any spare tbh.