How to cool the 9800 pro

Aziboah · Dec 13, 2003

Im looking to buy a 9800 but I hear they run REALLY hot. Should I look for a card with a nice cooling system already on it, or add an aftermarket FHS?

That HIS card on the front page looks pretty nice...

c0d1f1ed · Dec 13, 2003

Everything is designed to work out of the box even in slightly unoptimal situations...

GeneticWeapon · Dec 13, 2003

Here's what I'm gettin' for my 9800 <A HREF="http://www.modsynergy.com/Review 113.htm" target="_new">http://www.modsynergy.com/Review 113.htm</A>

Play MotoGP 2
<A HREF="http://server4.uploadit.org/files2/091203-Moto1.jpg" target="_new">http://server4.uploadit.org/files2/091203-Moto1.jpg</A>

Aziboah · Dec 13, 2003

yeah, that looks like a pretty nice heatsink. I used to work at comp usa and I can still get the discount, so I was thinking of just picking up the ATI card. thanks!

Where did you order that fan?
Edited by Aziboah on 12/13/03 03:12 PM.

SAITCH0 · Dec 13, 2003

How about the zalman 80C-HP...thats a massive cooler and even work fanless!!!

<A HREF="http://www.nordichardware.com/reviews/cooling/2003/ZalmanZM80C-HP/" target="_new">http://www.nordichardware.com/reviews/cooling/2003/ZalmanZM80C-HP/</A>
Edited by saitch0 on 12/13/03 03:25 PM.

TheGreatGrapeApe · Dec 13, 2003

That HSF look alot like the one for the HIS IceQ.

<A HREF="http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/83/" target="_new">http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/83/</A>

I've heard alot of good things about those.

Sounds like a good choice, probably quiter than the standard HSF as well. Just the replacement of thermal grease would do a nice job I would imagine.

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp (or internet account) ! - RED GREEN GA to SK :evil:

-NEW PIC IN THGC ALBUM-

SAITCH0 · Dec 13, 2003

If i recall correctly its exactly the same. Problem is the HIS Iceq is very hard to get in north america

addiarmadar · Dec 13, 2003

If that was copper then that would be a very sweet cooler. To get only a 10mhz boost is not worth the trouble and $$$$ to me.

Barton 2500+ @ 2200mhz (10x220 vcore @ 1.775)
Asus A7N8X Dlx 440 FSB
1gb Geil GD pc3500 Dual Channel (2-3-3-6)
Segata 80gb SATA 8.5ms seek
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro(420/700)

TheGreatGrapeApe · Dec 13, 2003

Yeah, funny thing is they are easy to get here in Canada (I almost got an HIS R9000 a year ago), but I guess very hard to find in the US. Obviously they have trade/customs issues with the US.

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp (or internet account) ! - RED GREEN GA to SK :evil:

-NEW PIC IN THGC ALBUM-

SAITCH0 · Dec 14, 2003

I think the main attraits of these coolers isnt overclocking but rather noise reduction.

GeneticWeapon · Dec 14, 2003

The bummer thing about the Arctic HSF is that your gpu shim has to be removed for it to actually perform well. The stock HSF on my R9800 has a small surface that fits down into the shim that makes perfect contact with the core(unlike my 9500P HSF) Popping that shim off again doesnt excite me much. So far my card is still capable of being warrantied by ATi...kind of a good feeling considering my track record with cards

Play MotoGP 2
<A HREF="http://server4.uploadit.org/files2/091203-Moto1.jpg" target="_new">http://server4.uploadit.org/files2/091203-Moto1.jpg</A>

SAITCH0 · Dec 14, 2003

Get the zalman one, never saw anything about shim removal on the reviews.

GeneticWeapon · Dec 14, 2003

There seems to be a misconception on this forum that the Zahlman Heatpipe is some sort of overclockers wet dream, when it actually isnt. Good active cooling is always a better option. As far as the Zahlman not requiring you to remove the shim....well, I promise you that it will not make contact with the core unless you pop the shim off. You can put a big ass glob of your favorite thermal compound on the core to fill the gap that the shim creates but thats a crappy way to do it. Visit the Rage3D forums for tons of threads on this topic.
*edit*
Here's a blurry pic of my old 9500Pro with after market cooling. With the shim on it artifacted quickly, but once I popped the shim off it was gawd damn fast....
<A HREF="http://server4.uploadit.org/files/251103-PICT0001.JPG" target="_new">http://server4.uploadit.org/files/251103-PICT0001.JPG</A>

Play MotoGP 2
<A HREF="http://server4.uploadit.org/files2/091203-Moto1.jpg" target="_new">http://server4.uploadit.org/files2/091203-Moto1.jpg</A>

Vapor · Dec 14, 2003

Yeah, but from what I have heard, the Zalman can have any 80mm fan connected to it, not just the silent POS they have as an option. That means an 80mm Tornado if the user can handle the noise--so it's not just a passive cooler for someone looking to quiet their high performance computer, but potentially an overclock beast.

As for that shim stuff, you're right, it needs to be removed or else the Zalman won't do sh!t.

Damn Rambus.

SAITCH0 · Dec 14, 2003

Wow very usefull forum didnt knew that one. Here is something that might help ya.

<A HREF="http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?s=566bb1a548fcb1f768aef4c972d5b759&threadid=33699540&perpage=30&pagenumber=1" target="_new">http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?s=566bb1a548fcb1f768aef4c972d5b759&threadid=33699540&perpage=30&pagenumber=1</A>

Look at the fourth post mongoose one.
Ill keep looking for more info.

Edited by saitch0 on 12/14/03 12:17 PM.

spitoon · Dec 14, 2003

My Zalman came with two different blocks for the GPU, one for ATI cards and one for Nvidia Cards. The ATI one was significantly smaller and that led me to believe that was so it would fit inside the shim to make good contact with the GPU. I certainly wouldn't doubt what GW said is correct, he seems to have some experience in the field

. Maybe this is a change they have made recently or it still doesn't fit right even with the smaller block.

Anyways, I'm very happy with the performance of my Zalman on my Ti4200. It's certainly not silent though, I installed a 92mm fan in the sidewall of my box to blow on the entire set up...keeps things really cool.

GeneticWeapon · Dec 14, 2003

Yea...thats a pretty good thread. If you own a Radeon card, Rage3D should deffinately be in your favorites list.

Play MotoGP 2
<A HREF="http://server4.uploadit.org/files2/091203-Moto1.jpg" target="_new">http://server4.uploadit.org/files2/091203-Moto1.jpg</A>

SAITCH0 · Dec 14, 2003

I learned thet people "dremel" the outer edge of their heatsink,block so it doesent make contact with the shim. Since the zalman one isnt attached to the heatsink, i believe its way easier and less risky to simply grind the outside if it isnt already recessed.

On the other hand i dont think the giant one can be dismounted from the heatsink making it a bit harder to grind the contact block.

TheGreatGrapeApe · Dec 15, 2003

Sorry I didn't see this earlier (before football).

Actually you can dremel the back of your HSF to fit the shim, there was a step by step instruction guide posted a while back on [H]. He had to stencil the shape of the shim onto the HSF and then dremel it out.

If I can find it I'll post the link for you. That way any mod can stay within the confines of ATI's warranty.

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp (or internet account) ! - RED GREEN GA to SK :evil:

-NEW PIC IN THGC ALBUM-

TheGreatGrapeApe · Dec 15, 2003

Here's a link to another picture book description of the process. I'll see if I can find the other one when I get to work.

<A HREF="http://my.execpc.com/~chris431/full.htm" target="_new">http://my.execpc.com/~chris431/full.htm</A>

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp (or internet account) ! - RED GREEN GA to SK :evil:

-NEW PIC IN THGC ALBUM-

SAITCH0 · Dec 15, 2003

Ya this is the one i saw. If i can get my hands on the exact difference between the height of the shim and the core i can simply bring a heatsink at work and mill it exactly leaving only a 0.001" gap beween the core and the heatsink for the thermal paste. This way the heatsink wont sit directly on the core. But i doubt those shims are exactly the same on all cards...

Another idea i got was to get a copper shim and sandwitch it between the core and the heatsink. I can play with the thickness of this shim till i get one that is flush with the original shim.

GeneticWeapon · Dec 16, 2003

Awsome link Grape. It was inspiring me to do crazy things to my card

I think I've decided to leave it alone right now but my mood on the matter changes daily.

I help because you suck.

TheGreatGrapeApe · Dec 16, 2003

At least leave it until you can get a 'BASELINE' for your new system. Then in the new year should come new challenges. :evil:

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp (or internet account) ! - RED GREEN GA to SK :evil:

-NEW PIC IN THGC ALBUM-

GeneticWeapon · Dec 16, 2003

Agreed

I help because you suck.

How to cool the 9800 pro

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