Any great cooler for the 4870?

[bildo123]

Hello,

I wanted to know of any great cooler for the ATI 4870 that would still let me be able to do a crossfire setup. The main thing I'm looking for is quietness. Also I've done some research and see a lot (if not all) coolers for the 4870 leave the power circuits bare or covered but still very hot. Any great suggestions out there? Thanks.

 

[j_chatelain]

I use these on my two 4870s. They are very quiet and keep my cards very cool. You'll need a long bridge though - the short ones won't make it over the cooler.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118037&cm_re=vf1000-_-35-118-037-_-Product

 

[bildo123]

I use these on my two 4870s. They are very quiet and keep my cards very cool. You'll need a long bridge though - the short ones won't make it over the cooler.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118037&cm_re=vf1000-_-35-118-037-_-Product

A little pricey but it appears that's gonna be the ballpark amount. Looks nice although I may still have to order this separately.

I just hear the VRM's get really, really hot on the 4870. Funny thing is that VRM sink is made to work along with the VF1000.

EDIT: Do you have a link for the 'extended' crossfire cable? Thanks.

DOUBLE EDIT: Do you think I could just snake the crossfire cable through the fins on that cooler?

 

[j_chatelain]

A little pricey but it appears that's gonna be the ballpark amount. Looks nice although I may still have to order this separately.

I just hear the VRM's get really, really hot on the 4870. Funny thing is that VRM sink is made to work along with the VF1000.

EDIT: Do you have a link for the 'extended' crossfire cable? Thanks.

DOUBLE EDIT: Do you think I could just snake the crossfire cable through the fins on that cooler?

I've never had any problems w/ the vrm temps. I tried the snake method with the shorter bridge, but there just isn't enough room. I got my long bridges off eBay - just search for 100mm crossfire bridge:

http://desc.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=crossfire+bridge+100mm&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=1&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_dmpt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&_odkw=crossfire+bridge&_osacat=0&_rdc=1

 

[j_chatelain]

By the way, the manuals included with mine were outdated. If you do decide to go with the VF1000, follow the screw mounting instructions for the 3870 (if the 4870 option isn't there of course).

 

[bildo123]

By the way, the manuals included with mine were outdated. If you do decide to go with the VF1000, follow the screw mounting instructions for the 3870 (if the 4870 option isn't there of course).

So would you suggest that this is just a ripoff of some kind?

I've been reading that some people even with water cooling leave the stock RAM/VRM plate and just attach the aftermarket GPU cooler. Is this what you have done, I'm thinking if getting the VF1000 and leaving the stock plate, modding it in any way in case that stock fan on the plate gets in the way.

 

[j_chatelain]

I dunno about a ripoff, as I'm sure it's a better quality sink than stock. I've just left the original sink on and replaced the cooler with fantastic results.

 

[bildo123]

I dunno about a ripoff, as I'm sure it's a better quality sink than stock. I've just left the original sink on and replaced the cooler with fantastic results.

Ah, perfect, I think I will do exactly the same and leave the stock plate there and just use the actual GPU cooler part. on the VF1000. Did the fan get in the way or did you remove that too? Thanks.

 

[j_chatelain]

Nope, kept the fan on and set it on a low rpm with the fan controller that's included. It's very quiet.

 

[bildo123]

Nope, kept the fan on and set it on a low rpm with the fan controller that's included. It's very quiet.

One last quick question, what would you in noise the current zalman fan to the stock, would you say it sounds like it at 30/40/50% etc? Thanks.

 

[j_chatelain]

Unless they are set over approx 80%, I can't even hear them with the case closed. They are a helluva lot quieter than the stock fan.

Also, I forgot to mention that the temp went down even further when I set my side panel fan on intake, blowing cool air onto the cards.

 

[bildo123]

Unless they are set over approx 80%, I can't even hear them with the case closed. They are a helluva lot quieter than the stock fan.

Also, I forgot to mention that the temp went down even further when I set my side panel fan on intake, blowing cool air onto the cards.

Thanks, good to know. All I know is soon as the stock fan goes over 55% it starts to make a whirring noise and just gets progressively louder. Also my room's average temp this time of year is between 76~80F so not the best ambient temperature.

 

[j_chatelain]

Yeah, my stock fans were unbearable. Good luck with your new coolers!