Graphics Cooling - Best Option?

FatRat

FatRat

FatRat

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Joined
14 Jul 2007
Posts
23
Hi, I've decided my 7900 GT is overheating and so want to replace the stock fan with something better. I run a lot of games and graphics software and at idle the thing runs at around 40c whereas during a game of Rainbow Six Vegas near-maxed out it gets upto about 65 - 70c. I'm starting to see bloody artefacting and glitches in certain games and even after thoroughly cleaning the dust, replacing the thermal paste, after a week the graphic glitches were back so thats how ive come to this overheating conclusion...

Heres what I'm considering, was wondering if anyone has any of these and can recommend/advise against any of them:

Zalman VF900
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SY-008-ZA&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=787
Nice Price, and its Zalman which is a big plus, surely?

Zalman VNF100 Fanless
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-029-ZA&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=787
Again, Zalman and cheap, but its FANLESS, which I'm worried about considering i run a lot of games and stuff, i can't imagine a fanless cooler will be cool enough...

Thermalright HR-03
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-035-TR&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=787
Thats expensive and looks huge, plus I'm not sure if it actually fits onto my card, but i've heard lots of good stuff about it...


If anyone has any other recommendations, I'd hugely appreciate the advice, thanks anyone.
 
How about the Accelero S1, passively cooled it keeps my 7900GT @ GTX around 33c idle and mid 40's full load. Im sure if you put a fan blowing onto it, you would get even better performance. Be warned it is huge though! needs a good amount of space next to it.
 
Yeah the Accelero looks a bit big, plus I'm not sure about getting a fanless cooler, i'm worried it won't be enough...

The Zalman VF900 does seem great, ive seen a few reviews for it, all are very positive. I may go with that...
 
Yeah, hehe, I'll keep it all in the old box :P

Argh I'm still looking around at review sites and everything, so confusing, as always so many options, hehe. I really am too paranoid about getting a fanless cooler. I'm now also thinking I want one thats compatible with the 8800 cards since I plan to buy one in a month or so anyway in preparation for all the new dx10 games. Doesn't seem to be any that fits both 7900's and 8800's, though ive not properly looked yet...
 
If you're upgrading soon then it would be a waste of money mate. Try getting a small 80mm near the area to aid with cooling, or tidy your cables in the case to allow better airflow from the front to the rear.
 
The case is very tidy, I'm fine with basic stuff like that, hehe. Theres plenty of airflow. I've now considered the fact the thermal paste is simply buggered, so i just had a look at it...sure enough its pretty thin and looking a bit old. The heatsink was dirty too, so ive polished it and am about to test a game right now...ideally i needed to reapply some new thermal paste but i haven't got any, ordering that now as well...gonna hold off buying a fan for the time being methinks.
Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions. Was helpful
 
liek he said^^ EK ***

as for them accelero, I had/have em on my old x1900 crossfire setup, and they warmed up the chipset as the air isnt expelled out the back, its pushed onto the board, which is where 1 o them spangly Antec spot coolers come in handy (noisy on full pelt tho) dunno *** theyre liek on nVidia cards tho
 
why is F T W in my post gone to stars???...just noticed W O T as in what is turned into stars as well...how bizarre
 
Last edited:
You are talking about the Accelero X2
X2_3.jpg


realscot is talking about the Accelero S1
acceleros1_m.jpg
 
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