VGA Cooler Roundup April 2006
 

6 different VGA coolers are tested in our latest roundup, products from Arctic Cooling, Sytrin and Zalman stressed using an XFX 7800GT running at default and overclocked speeds, while each heatsink is tested at different fan speeds and GPU temperature and noise readings are recorded. What cooler will suite you best? Read on to find out.

http://www.madshrimps.be/gotoartik.php?articID=405

Great review. I was a bit freaked out at first thinking I need some hardcore cooling on my graphics card after overclocking. But the truth is I have the exact same card, the XFX 7800GT with the soft volt mod flashed to bios, and have the card running at 500/1203 smoothly, and never have I ever had a temperature rise of over 70C on stock cooling.

Your case cooling is much better than mine:)
Cooling: 3x80mm In/2x80mm

I used a single 80mm in the rear running at 1000rpm

good job

btw, seeing VGA coolers mounted with only 2 screws makes me shudder each time! *brrr*

unless you're in the habit of throwing your PC case down the stairs, I don't see the need to worry.

i know. the bracket looks sturdy and the mounting system is pretty sound, but i've seen a great many graphic cards destroyed by having it mounted by a shabby mount and 2 screws.

most of it in the "old days" of course, but even recently with the 6600GT's. so when i see it, it gets me every time :)

With 100% of the toilet mounted with only two screws; you'd better sit tight;)

ATI
 

Does any1 know if the Arctic Cooling X2 is compatble with the ATI X1600 Pro AGP?

The web page is really naff but mentions there is "another product" due in a few months that explicitaly support this card...

But I need one now (and not too sure I want another Zalman)

the X2 is only for X1800/X1900, the product for X1600 will be a passive cooler , Accelero S series. due out soon.

I don't know what my fetish is with grafic card coolers, but i love your article. :)

the reference cooling review, now for VGA coolers :)


only thing it needs is an overview of the temp increases between the stock and OC results together with the noise level to determine which cooler would be better for high thermal loads

I have to retest the Accelero X1 and NV5 at different fan speeds as I expect my results are a bit off for the none-overclocked setting, I double checked them already but AC's own findings shown an increase in temp larger than the .5°C I've seen.

I will do the stock vs OC in the follow-up article where I'll test the V-1 Ultra from Thermalright.

actually, they make perfectly sense


As long as the airflow is sufficent to transport the heat away, the heat will not rise and since 25% is at that treshhold, 50 and 100 don't change much. The bigger spacing in the OC test confirms it is not just a testing error.

thx a lot for the review :)
i was searching for some nice round up
and now i have found it
thx a lot
nice review

During the roundup test I checked out the "auto overclocking" feature in the nVidia driver control panel, there was not much to say about this so I didn't include it in the review, the XFX at stock speeds is already higher than default 400/1000Mhz (GPU/MEM); so OC may differ with other VGA cards.

The stock, Accelero, NV5, VF900 and VF700 all auto detected 480Mhz as max stable GPU speed and 1.11Ghz on the memory.

With the KuFormula VF1 Plus it was a tad higher, 488/1.12Ghz.

Thanks Jmke - Wasnt expecting a reply so soon (great review btw)

If the Accelero S is going to be passive, I guess I will have to get the Zalman then.

Thx for the help

Will you be doing a comparative review for the ATI X1900 series using the same coolers that are multi-card capable and the partner coolers specifically made for the ATI cards (Arctic Cooling X2 eg)

Would be good to see what the difference stock vs custom vs card architecture is especially when overclocking

I've got the same card, did the soft mode too. no problems here either. Jmke I don't use a case at all though.

Ok this does not make sense:

"however if you are looking for a cooler which offers wider compatibility than the VF1 Plus and Zalman VF900-Cu will make an"

Did you mean: "VF1 Plus the Zalman" ?

Othwerwise, top article! i might be looking into the VF1

The VF! Plus was also featured in Tomshardware:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2006/0... _cooling_uk/

Oooops, I meant:

Did you mean: "VF1 Plus, the Zalman" ?

hmmm, yes that sentence needs revising, what I mean is that both VF-1 and Zalman are an excellent choice for multi GPU compatible coolers. added a , removed a word:

"As it currently stands, the Accelero X1 offered the best performance/noise ratio on the 7800GT, however if you are looking for a cooler which offers wider compatibility, the VF1 Plus and Zalman VF900-Cu will make an excellent option "

ps the link to the TomsHW article: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2006/0... _cooling_uk/

they didn't quite track noise production...

Yeah I know, I just mentioned it to support your conclusions.

There is only one place for cooler reviews... :)

ROFL :^D How can they seriously say that...
That's why THG aren't my favourite reviewers any more (since very very long). I understand that a simple reviewers tries to explain the sound of the fan but THG is a big and well known site. Don't tell me they can't afford a dB-meter, they have enough "sponsors".

Does the crossflow fan of the VF1 blow? Or does it suck air??

i checked the bladeposition.

its a blower:)

Thanks! I can't see it very well on the pictures but do you have any idea if it's possible to mount or mod the crossflow fan so it sucks? I have a very small case with not much airflow and I don't like the idea of a fan blowing hot air on my mobo. That's why I don't like the Acceloro either :)

it has to "blow" otherwise the HSF on the vidcard won't get cooled down.

But why does it have to blow? If it possible to let the crossflow fan suck, doesn't it suck air through the heatsink then?

no, do you see a fan duct over the HSF ? :)

The fins look like a fan duct :)

you'd be surprised how much air will escape without proper venting, performance will degrade a lot;

anyway, I don't see any easy to reverse the crossflow airflow

nice notice :D

I'm sure performance will degrade but maybe not a lot. Reversing the airflow could have a huge advantage for me :) I could make a fanduct so the hot air from the GPU is pushed outside the case.
But if you don't see an easy way to do this...

Excellent review. I was wondering if stock 7900GTX cooler is better than VF900-CU?

Can you please test and post. thanks a lot.

I accept donations for 7900GTX, mail me if you are interested :)

Will this fan hack work for the 7900gtx?

Will it the extra fans interfere with the fan air flow?

On the illustration are 2 60x60x10mm fan.

Francis

Original cooler:


Modded cooler:

I recommend a construction with 2 120mm fans and removing the plastic.


I would expect the stock GTX one to be on par wiht the Zalman and Accellero, but with the 120s it should terminate both

EXCELLENT review, thank you so much for this masterpiece. :ws:

I've been looking for this kind of roundup for a while, didn't know Madshrimps did stuff with graphs and everything. I just stumbled upon this tonight (or this morning).

Anyway, I guess I'll be adding Madshrimps to my bookmarks. Thanks again, hope to read some more quality work from you again soon.

Welcome :)

dito :)

yes, great work there Piotke and Gamer...

lol, just a welcome to our newest member :)