what gpu coolers?

dale1uk · 17 Jan 2006 at 08:04

which graphics cooler?

looking into getting a new cooler for my graphics card but what one should I go for? Been looking at the Arctic coolers and Zalman ones but what are the pros and cons of each of them.
I've read about poor reliability with the Arctic coolers and how loud, or should I say quiet, are they? Also what affects on case temps will I get with the Zalman coolers as they don't exhaust the warm air out of the case and how effective are they at 5v in the quiet setting?
Looking at getting 2, 1 for my Asus x850xt that has a Arctic cooler style cooler on it that blows the hot air out of the case but has a high pitched noise at low rpm and my bro's 6800 ultra that if I remember is single slot.

dale1uk · 17 Jan 2006 at 12:00

anyone?
Surely people use the Zalman and Arctic coolers so any comments about them?

Hunders · 17 Jan 2006 at 12:05

I have a Zalman on my 7800GT. I can't fault it! The reason I never chose the Arctic Cooler is because I heard they can get clogged up with dust.

I use a fan controller so I can choose wheather I want silence or performance!

Although, even on max the fan isn't very lout at all.

Mekrel · 17 Jan 2006 at 12:10

Zalman > Arctic cooling in every aspect.

Arctic cooling Silencers are poor grade, poorly lapped copper with unreliable fans strapped to them. Wouldn't touch them ever.

The Zalman on the other hand is superior in cooling, quiter when on 5v mode, reliable, and the heatsink is lapped superbly. When you install one and remove it straight after, there is always 100% GPU contact and the base is flush and shiney.

Pay money and get some quality, or pay less and recieve a lump of tack through your door.

Also, I love explaining this about arctic coolers:

The arctic coolers use a very thick copper base for contact with the GPU, which is what holds most of the heat. They then use very few brittle aluminium fins attached to the copper, which supposidly disperses heat into the air being pushed over them by the fan.

The fact its aluminium, and there is a distinct lack of them means there isn't much conduction of heat from them copper. Which means the good heat dispersing properties of the aluminium isn't even being used very well.

The fact there is also a massive gap between exhaust and backplate means any warm air being pushed that way isn't exactly going straight out the case.

When I was stupid enough to buy one for my old 6800GT, couldn't feel any decent air flow coming from the back and this was reflected by my system temperatures not dropping.

dale1uk · 17 Jan 2006 at 12:14

Thanks, on my Asus x850xt the stock fans blows the hot air out of the case, what kind off affect on case temps will putting a Zalman cooler on have?

Hunders · 17 Jan 2006 at 12:18

Depending on room temperature, mine idles at around 40-45 degrees and at reaches around 60-65 degrees whilst playing games like Call of Duty 2 and Battlefield 2 SF.

dale1uk · 17 Jan 2006 at 12:40

not to fussed about getting much cooler as atm i idle at 34'c and hit 62'c max under load with mine clocked to xt pe speeds so I'm aiming to keep those sort of temps but reduce the noise.

JDL · 17 Jan 2006 at 12:46

zalman all the way, to exhaust the hot air from the zalman i'm trialing a pci slot exhaust fan on its lowest setting to get rid of the hot air from the zalman - so far it seems to work as it hasn't affected the case temps.

dale1uk · 17 Jan 2006 at 12:59

nice idea, but wouldn't the fans be working against each other? the pci exhaust will be pulling air down and out but the Zalman would be trying to draw the air up and over the card,also dont really want to be adding any other fans allready got 2x120mm and 2x80mm fans with one of each sucking in and blowing out.
Any one with the Zalmans noticed an increase of case temps or am I just worrying about nothing??

Mekrel · 17 Jan 2006 at 15:04

Worrying about nothing mate

GuruJockStrap · 17 Jan 2006 at 16:19

I had the Arctic Cooler on my 6800GT and then switched to the Zalman.

Forget about the pap regarding "the Arctic Cooler is better because it exhausts hot air from the case".

When I switched to the Zalman I noticed absolutely zero impact on my system temps and anything else for that matter. Thats with very little airflow in my case at the time and the Zalman on 5v.

dale1uk · 17 Jan 2006 at 16:34

thats what i like to hear, I keep pushing the clocks on the card up so will have to invest in one soon to keep it nice and cool quietly.

Arcane · 17 Jan 2006 at 16:47

Zalman have just shown an updated version at CES, the 900, not sure when it's out at retail though.

dale1uk · 17 Jan 2006 at 16:59

yeh I've seen the thread on that, but as you said not sure on release date.

PAz · 17 Jan 2006 at 17:40

I'm happy I just ordered a Zalman VGA cooler then, instead of waiting for the Arctic coolers to come back in stock for my 6800GT!

JDL · 17 Jan 2006 at 17:52

dale1uk said:
nice idea, but wouldn't the fans be working against each other? the pci exhaust will be pulling air down and out but the Zalman would be trying to draw the air up and over the card,also dont really want to be adding any other fans allready got 2x120mm and 2x80mm fans with one of each sucking in and blowing out.
Any one with the Zalmans noticed an increase of case temps or am I just worrying about nothing??

the fans don't work against each other due to where they are positioned, the exhaust cooler is closer to the rear of the case whilst the zalamn is middlish, the air the exhaust fan is taking away is air coming off the card - abit like this:

good old paint

i'm yet to smoke bomb my system for airflow when i do i'll post the vid etc.

dale1uk · 17 Jan 2006 at 19:22

lol, got to love being proven wrong by a good old piece of art made in paint