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ZALMAN NEW VF3000-A GPU COOLER - PERFORMANCE INFO AND BENCHMARKS

Temp is good, but why the graph is not smooth? VRM temp is so good, but I think to run 1000/1200 you need pump Vcore more than 1.3V, it is stress for VRM, then I think you need another cooling for VRM like Thermalright VRM 4-5 heatsink with a fan 80!
 
Temp is good, but why the graph is not smooth? VRM temp is so good, but I think to run 1000/1200 you need pump Vcore more than 1.3V, it is stress for VRM, then I think you need another cooling for VRM like Thermalright VRM 4-5 heatsink with a fan 80!

The graph went down when he started Prime. Notice how his GPU load is 84%. That's because of Prime.



@Rusty: It would be awesome if you ran a test at 1280x1024 + Xtreme Burning + no AA (and no Prime). Or without Xtreme Burning if temps get too high. I'm want this because your card only consumes 45A on your SS. My card, at same clocks and voltages, consumes 67A with the above settings in Furmark meaning that your card isn't working at anything close to max.
 
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Just tried 1280x1024, pulling around 74A, temps on the VDCC Phase 2 rose to in excess of 100, and phase three hit 99, core hit 71, this is with a low fan speed on the Zalman though.

I'm sure if I ran a 140mm in the side panel of the case the temps would be much better.

I never tested the VRM temps on the stock cooler so can't comment how well that performs.
 
How hot are the VRM's meant to be getting!?

I stuck a 12" desk fan at full speed pointing at the card outside the case with the side panel off and the VRMS still hitting 100+. The core temp wasn't affected by the fan much at all, the heatsink does a brilliant job on the core.

ZalmanPerformance.jpg
 
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Something's not right there... minimum fan speed in a closed case with high clocks and I get considerably lower temps.

Edit: Never mind, tried with Extreme burn and got similar results.
 
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Furmark puts a very abnormal load on the vrms, you wont get those temps in real usage, I ended up relocating my spotcool to blow directly onto the top of the vrms and this knocked a good chunk off temps, but like I say, nothing to worry about.
 
I hear that VRM maximum temp allowed more than 120oC. Many case burn VRM chip when change stockfan in while don't care to VRM temp. But in series ATI 58xx, VRM temp is controlled: GPU will thotle down if VRM too hot to avoid VRM chip damaged.

I used Trad 2 with tiny heatsink RAM on VRM chip, in game VRM temp is alway more than 90, it is in safe range, but when I OC to 900/1200 VRM temp go to 110oC, game random crash when playing. Obviously, it is not good for overclock!

It take 60USD (Trad 2) that can not overclock because VRM temp is too high, the pros in here is silent and no more, if want to overclock I must buy VRM heatsink about 30USD :), it is not economy!
 
Thx for testing.

It is true that Furmark puts an unrealistic load on the VRMs, but I just needed something to compare to. The VRMs can operate safely until 110C, so your temps aren't a problem.

When my HD 5850 @ 1000/1250 with stock cooling pulls 80A in Furmark, my VRM temps reach about 115C with 70% / 3500 RPM fan speed (freakin' loud). Your VF3000A performs way better!

This guy:
http://www.overclock.net/ati-cooling/743972-zalman-vf3000a-review.html
Also did some testing with the VF3000A and he got pretty good results.

When his card at 1000/1275 pulls 75A with 50% fan speed (I believe this is quiet with the VF3000) in Kombustor, his VRM temps reach 85C. My VRM temps in Kombustor, pulling 75A, are 110C with 70% fan speed.

The VF3000A is my next buy.
 
Finally I make a heatsink for VRM -combine legend AS5 thermal compound :)- not nice but it is more effect than stockfan . With stockfan VRM temp is more than 90oC, with my DIY heatsink + Trad2 GTX, VRM temp is more than 80oC (all test with Furmark). Core/mem is 765/1125. I use two fan 90 Thermalright, 1500RPM!

 
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You must be doing it wrong mate.

875/1225/lowest fan/stock v/highest temp in summer room...sub 60 (stable all day long in bf2 and napoleon). Can get to 885/1250/low/stock-just dont need the power! Well ventilated antec 300, asus bios/sapphire original 5850.

I had problems with the vrms in furmark (90C at one point), but that is all. Furmark is not a practical benchmark; it is a worst case job.

To combat I reapplied the vrm sink, being careful to get the TIM placement right and whacked my spotcool onto the topside of them, and they brought them in line with my other temps.

DIYing a heatsink like that is, being polite, highly questionable. I knocked 20C off my vrm temps by carefully reinstalling first time round; things like this there is a lot to get wrong...

Truly amazing product. Forget lower temps/higher overclocks. My graphics card, loudest part of my system is now silent, forget load or startup, it just merges into the system.

However it does heat your case, but given that graphics are the bottleneck for gaming without doubt, I'll take 3C on my processor for better, silent graphics any day.
 
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That Arctic Accelero Xtreme 5870 looks awsome!!! But does it fit a 5850? And how many slots does it take?

Edit: Looked on google and it seems this will fit a 5850 :) but is a 3 slotter so useless for us crossfire ppl again :(
 
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just got one for my sapphire 5870.

Amazing is all I can say. Flashed with the Asus bios I have it overclocked to 1000/1250 at 1.20 volts

Using Furmark been running for 30 minutes so far and it JUST went over 50 degrees, atm keeps dropping from 50 to 52 degrees in the first 30 minutes was between 48-50 degrees.

With the temps as it is so much more headroom for overclocking. Also using the supplied fan controller at max can barely hear it.
 
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I just got one of this for my reference Sapphire 5850.

Is it ok to use the used thermal pads on the RAM heatsinks or do I need to look for new ones (as stated on Zalman's website) before applying? The cooler is used and if there's not much difference in temps, I wouldn't bother changing the pads.
 
Hey guys

I have two 6970s in CF on my P67A-UD7 Gigabyte. Currently they are right next to eachother (because of size) in slot 1 and 3 (x16). They run hot! Top on reaches 75deg idle and 100 if I don't ramp the fans up.

1. Are we saying this cooler doesn't allow two cards directly next to each other?
2. If I separated them further, reducing to x16x8, this would work? I have bought two 10cm crossfire links

I might as well stick with the stock coolers

Cheers for help in advance
 
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