PCI System Coolers - any good?

[hairyhen]

Hi folks

I am getting gpu core temps of 58c idle and 80c load on my 6800GS fitted with the Zalman AluCu VGA cooler set at silent, and an ambient temp of around 42c.

Am I right in thinking that is a tad too high, especially on load?

Most of the cooling solutions I have are designed to be silent, and I really don't want to set any fans to 'normal' mode.
I have an Antec Sonata case with a solitary 120mm Akasa amber shifting the air out the back - also set at its lowest setting, but I suspect I may have to turn it up to get that hot air out...?

Anyway - I have been looking at the Akasa system cooler (AK-SB-BK ) which fit onto a spare PCI slot - are these any good?

It states on the website that they produce a noise level of 25.24 dB(A), but I would like to hear first hand experiences if anyone has any that they'd like to share

Thanking you

 

[hairyhen]

Thank you all for your advice!

In response to Matt82's comment, no I am not naive nor ignorant when it comes to air circulation (I studied HVAC at uni after all), as I believe that a 'proper' set up of air-flow is not necessary for my pc and that air coming into the room is adequate.
My cpu runs at 35c idle and around 40c load, which is fine. Prior to upgrading to the 6800GS I had a Radeon 9800pro attached to an Artic Cooling device. This I never monitored as I had assumed for the past 2 years that its doing it job well.

Antec explicitly states in the manual for the Sonata that a space for an inlet fan is provided should you decide that further cooling is necesary, but not required (obviously they'd want to keep their flagship silent case silent). Fair enough I thought.

The purpose of my post was really then to confirm my suspicions (through the good advice of the forum) that further cooling than what I already have may now be required, and the best way of doing so without compromising the silent-ness.

It seems to me that the general consensus is I may have to ditch the negative-air pressure method...

 

[hairyhen]

...Setting the Zalman to full speed only drops temps by a few degrees but makes it noisy so I'd leave it on silent...

Very true - I switched it to normal mode and the difference under load was only 3c, so now I've put it put on silent and turned up the juice on the case fan instead.

As suggested by a few of you, I took the Zalman off and reinstalled it using some Artic Silver (I used the packaged stuff last time). It's now idling at 52c with an ambient temp of 34c.

Thanks for all this great info btw everyone


robg1701 - familiar user name, now where have i seen that before... look me up on my profile and send me an email mate - long time no speak!