GTX480 / GTX470 Reviews and Discussion

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Weird cropping in the photos makes the GTX470's HSF look bigger, which was a bit confusing for a second.

Interesting cooling, but I'd think that would be best for single card solutions, as it would somewhat hamper SLi configurations especially if the slot aren't widely spaced.

Likely quieter than the reference design though, and usually that's a pretty good cooling design better than the reference from ATi & nV, but not sure how it would compare to the reference on the GTX4s since they're a new take on the old style.

 

[shadow187]

I'd say that, like the MARS HD5970, to properly cool a GTX480 you'll need a 3-slot cooler. Either that or lots o' copper heat pipes.

 

[RealityRush]

I'd say that, like the MARS HD5970, to properly cool a GTX480 you'll need a 3-slot cooler. Either that or lots o' copper heat pipes.

.... there's a MARS 5970??? You mean the ARES 5970 😛? To properly cool it you basically just need to have side case ventilation and proper airflow, set the fans to 70% and the stock cooler will work just fine. I agree with TGGA though that those cards notty just linked don't look great for SLI, the top card will get like 0 air >.< Unless you have a bunch of fans on your side vents... I know I do. Still wouldn't try it though.

 

[snakej]

I think nVidia did a great job on the stock heatsink of the GTX400, and that there isnt much to improve as far as after market cooler goes, besides the only company that releases good AHF is HIS and they dont make nVidia cards, EVGA always use the reference on, and so does BGF, Palit is the only comp that do some extra stuff, but then again most people like EVGA for there guarantee.

 

[IzzyCraft]

Weird cropping in the photos makes the GTX470's HSF look bigger, which was a bit confusing for a second.

Interesting cooling, but I'd think that would be best for single card solutions, as it would somewhat hamper SLi configurations especially if the slot aren't widely spaced.

Likely quieter than the reference design though, and usually that's a pretty good cooling design better than the reference from ATi & nV, but not sure how it would compare to the reference on the GTX4s since they're a new take on the old style.

But we all know nvidia's solution lol just say well you're suppose to run the 480 in sli with a gap inbetween meaning you use the 1st and 3rd slot pcie on your mobo assuming you have that many on your mobo to begin with. Along with that most boards that have a 1st and 3rd is something split like x16/x8/x8 or run it x16/x16/x0.

Although not sure if that would hurt the 470 or 480 has anyone seen any test on how much bandwidth the cards needs if it can run pretty much at full on x8 pcie 2.0

 

[shadow187]

Woops yeah, ARES HD5970.

nVidia did indeed do alright. Reminiscent of a barbecue though.

I think that AIBs will be able to do something nice with the GTX480, but charge a hefty premium.

 

[IzzyCraft]

I think nVidia did a great job on the stock heatsink of the GTX400, and that there isnt much to improve as far as after market cooler goes, besides the only company that releases good AHF is HIS and they dont make nVidia cards, EVGA always use the reference on, and so does BGF, Palit is the only comp that do some extra stuff, but then again most people like EVGA for there guarantee.

There is Asus, Gigabyte and MSI all which like to make non reference coolers, although again most ppl like Evga and BFG for nvidia becuase of step up and good warranties.

There is also galaxy although i've never bought a card from them but they do tend to make non reference cards...

 

[AMW1011]

Compared to:

Sorry, there is plenty of room for after market heatsinks yet, and this one can even be used in a dual card config as long as you have some space in between the slots:

When it is like this, you have the fans set up in this manner:

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

and this one can even be used in a dual card config as long as you have some space in between the slots

That was part of the point I was making, hence the mention. 😉

But think about the cooling solution that doesn't eject the hot air outside the case, it lets it spill around the nice big heatsink and out into the case. Where do you think the heat from that and the heat from the backplate are going to go? Right above onto the SLi card above it?

It's quite easily possible, but it remains to be seen if it's practical for such a design in a multi-card setup versus something that doesn't add to the thermal load of the card above. That's why I would prefer such a design for single card more than SLi.

 

[notty22]

Although not sure if that would hurt the 470 or 480 has anyone seen any test on how much bandwidth the cards needs if it can run pretty much at full on x8 pcie 2.0

One web site printed the #'s on what Nvidia released to testers on the 26th (soft paper launch xd). Not sure if it is totally accurate, but not that many sites got 2 of either. Most sites got one of each. Some got two of one model. Based on supposed web traffic ? (lost link).

 

[AMW1011]

Oh sorry, TGGA it wasn't really referring to your post, I was just extremely impressed by the cooler.

I think having the fans mounted on top is the only efficient solution for a heatsink like that, but you will need a case with extreme negative pressure for that.

For a single card? A bracket is already being made to adapt this to the GTX 480/470:

Thermalright HR-03 GTX

This can be used in a dual card config too, but I have my doubts as to its effectiveness:

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Funny thing is I look at that last one and just think of asking the case builder(s)/owner(s).... "watercooling to exotic for ya'?"

 

[roofus]

why all the need for 3rd party cooling for the 480? i read nvidia designed it to run hot so you are bucking directly against the intended feature.

 

[RealityRush]

why all the need for 3rd party cooling for the 480? i read nvidia designed it to run hot so you are bucking directly against the intended feature.

Always room for improvement 😛

 

[IzzyCraft]

It's also strong marketing lol if you can claim to be 5% cooler then the reference then you got all those worried people who want a 480 but are afraid of heat.

 

[RealityRush]

It's also strong marketing lol if you can claim to be 5% cooler then the reference then you got all those worried people who want a 480 but are afraid of heat.

Wewt 88.35 Celsius vs 93!!! Gotta love that 5% So much less hot! 😛

 

[IzzyCraft]

There is also the noise factor sense the 480 isn't horribly loud when properly ventilated but when it gets loud it really likes to make itself known.

 

[AMW1011]

I'm sorry, but both of those coolers are going to keep even the GTX 480 well under 88c load at stock.

The point of an aftermarket cooler for these is overclocking, they need it.

 

[shadow187]

An AM cooler will be quite necessary, even without overclocking.

I shudder to think of the water boiled when an OC is applied. And if it can't OC highly enough, then AMD can just release a voltage-increased highly-OC'd HD5890 and call it even.

 

[IzzyCraft]

I don't think amd is suppose to release oc versions of their own product but leave that to crazy people at like asus for their ares tri slot dual 8 pin card or for msi's dual 8 pin 5870

 

[RealityRush]

An AM cooler will be quite necessary, even without overclocking.

I shudder to think of the water boiled when an OC is applied. And if it can't OC highly enough, then AMD can just release a voltage-increased highly-OC'd HD5890 and call it even.

Because nVidia can't make functional cards or coolers?

Oh wait............ And since when is 93 water boiling?

 

[Dekasav]

Wouldn't a 5% drop in temperature have to bring it down to... 74.7 C? (95% of 93 degrees above 0 Kelvin is 74.7C)

 

[strangestranger]

0K?

You sure about that, 0K = -273C

 

[shadow187]

Because nVidia can't make functional cards or coolers?

Oh wait............ And since when is 93 water boiling?

I'm sure it'll get to 100c when OC'd. And if it can't achieve the same OC that AMD can, then it loses to any OC'd HD5870/GHD5850 (GTX480/GTX470).

 

[RealityRush]

I'm sure it'll get to 100c when OC'd. And if it can't achieve the same OC that AMD can, then it loses to any OC'd HD5870/GHD5850 (GTX480/GTX470).

I'm sure you could make a 5870 hit 100 as well, but you'd have to OC a 5870 a LOT to make up 15% or so performance, I doubt that would happen without some serious, serious cooling.