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Graphics Card Cooling

Tigjaw

Tigjaw

Tigjaw

Associate
Joined
6 Oct 2005
Posts
669
Location
West Midlands
Hey,
In short I'm looking for a quiet cooling solution for my graphics card. My computer (in my sig) has always been extremely quiet and temperatures have always been perfectly controlled, my CPU averages at about 30degrees whilst the system temperature is only slightly more.

My graphics card has always been about 57degrees at idle that is until...
A month or so ago somebody pointed out that 57degrees at idle, while not high, isn't that low either and suggested that I install ATI Tray to control the GPU Fan speeds and increase them beyond the stock speeds which I did. To say the least, I'm very glad I did this, at idle my GPU temperature is approximately 38degrees, that's almost 20degrees less!

That's all well and good, but now my computer is louder than a steam train whereas it used to be so quiet that most of the time you couldn't actually tell it was turned on!

Anyway I was wondering whether there were any inexpensive, quieter solutions for cooling my GPU?
For example can you add another fan to it? Maybe a 12cm?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
 
There's a really cheap quiet cooler around - evercool turbo 2. I've just bought one but am still shopping for a 7900gs to fit it on to. I'll let you know how I get on.
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys,

The thermalrigh HR-03 looks very nifty, I can't believe it can actually cool the GPU (without a fan) just as efficiently as the GPU stock fan running at full speed! If you got one of these whilst still running the stock fan you'd probably get a very nice compromise. Assuming you don't have to disable the stock fan in order to install the thermalrigh HR-03?

The Artic Cooling Accelero X2 VGA Cooler also looks very nice but that definately does replace the stock cooler doesn't it? I mean, you have to use it instead of the stock cooler?

Chris Beard tell me how that one goes, I'm glad to look at anything that can keep my GPU this cool without sounding like a bee hive.
 
The Artic Cooling Accelero X2 VGA Cooler also looks very nice but that definately does replace the stock cooler doesn't it? I mean, you have to use it instead of the stock cooler?
Click to expand...

Yes it replaces the stock cooler. I had one, they work very well. Silent too. :)
 
blakka said:
Yes it replaces the stock cooler. I had one, they work very well. Silent too. :)
Click to expand...

Sounds cool (teehee), if it is more efficient and quieter than the stock cooler then I'll definately consider it, is it easy to install? Do you literally have to remove the stock cooler?
 
Tigjaw said:
Assuming you don't have to disable the stock fan in order to install the thermalrigh HR-03?

The Artic Cooling Accelero X2 VGA Cooler also looks very nice but that definately does replace the stock cooler doesn't it? I mean, you have to use it instead of the stock cooler?
Click to expand...

With both you need to remove the stock cooler.
 
Sounds cool (teehee), if it is more efficient and quieter than the stock cooler then I'll definately consider it, is it easy to install? Do you literally have to remove the stock cooler?
Click to expand...

Definatley more efficient, and quieter than stock. It's very easy to install, as long as you can read the instructions and work a phillips screwdriver it will be easy.
 
Quite a few seem to rate the Zalman huh.

How do you rate the noise level? I know you say it's 'quiet' but how quiet exactly? Is it ever loud enough that you notice it?
 
blakka said:
At full speed you can just about hear it. When in silent mode, its exactly that...silent.
Click to expand...

very nifty, the Zalman looks to be the best bet at the moment but I think i'm still gonna measure how much room below my PCI-E slot I have just in case the HR turns out to be the best option.
 
blakka said:
Yeah the Zalman is ace but it's no match for the HR. If you got the room for it get it mate.
Click to expand...

I know you can use the HR without a fan but would you recommend getting a fan for it too? Should I worry about the make of the 92mm fan or just grab a cheap one?
 
Personally I would recommend getting a fan. Try getting a brand name fan, any of these fans will be good and very quiet too.

Noctua's
Yate Loon's
Akasa Ambers
S-flex's
Xilence

I have 2 Akasa amber fans in my rig and I can't hear them to be honest. They are much quieter than the fans I previously had.
 
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Tigjaw said:
The thermalrigh HR-03 looks very nifty, I can't believe it can actually cool the GPU (without a fan) just as efficiently as the GPU stock fan running at full speed!
Click to expand...

Its suggested to use fan with HR-03 because like you said, it wont cool properly without it..
 
Its suggested to use fan with HR-03 because like you said, it wont cool properly without it..
Click to expand...

I think it all depends on the card which the HR is going onto, and also how the card is going to be used.

If the HR is going on a 8800 or a 1900xtx then I would say it needs a fan as those are hot running cards, however on a 1800xt that isn't overclocked and is only being used for desktop use or light gaming then I don't think the fan is a "must". Then again if an 1800xt is overclocked and used for heavy gaming then yes I would say a fan is needed.

F.E.A.R makes my card jump up to 75c, however on every other game my card wont go past 60c so I guess it depends on the games being played too.
 
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