Driverheaven Guide: Upgrading GFX Cooling

Zardon · Apr 22, 2004, 01:55 PM

Joe "Roadee" Dawson, one of Driverheavens Moderators has put up a great guide to help all of your interested in upgrading your video card cooling.

"I see a lot of members here on DriverHeaven wanting to get the most that they can out of their video cards. Games seem to keep getting better and more complex, and requiring more and more video power. Yet our income doesnt always allow us to upgrade every time the newest card comes on the market.

One of the easiest ways of increasing performance for low cost is upgrading the cooling on your video card. It is fairly easy to do, but a lot of people are understandably weary of trying it. So I figure that since I am upgrading the cooling on my card, I will share this experience with you, and hopefully help a few of you take the plunge in modding your video card. You must keep in mind though, that performing ANY mods on your video card VOIDS the warranty. So again, only attempt this mod at your own risk!!"

Read the guide here

***Veridian3*** · Apr 22, 2004, 02:05 PM

Very interesting read. Good work.

Gardinen · Apr 22, 2004, 02:48 PM

hmm it seems that the VGA silencer is alot easier to install than the Zalman Heatpipe. But IMO, the Zalman makes my graphic card look goood.

Vidmaster23 · Apr 22, 2004, 04:26 PM

Man what great timing on this guide! I was looking to upgrade the cooling on my radeon... thanks!

~~Sourcer_2002~~ · Apr 22, 2004, 04:34 PM

Very nice Roadee great work!

Judas · Apr 22, 2004, 06:03 PM

i might have the balls now to do some of my own modding now.....

Zardon · Apr 22, 2004, 06:55 PM

if you are getting those clocks on a 9800 pro with stock cooling judas, might be worthwhile to see how high the card can go.

Chaos · Apr 22, 2004, 07:18 PM

Nice one Roadee, I was going to do that exact guide but my VGA Silencer got lost by Canada Post in transit. After waiting 2 weeks I got pissed off and bought a dual fan card by Vantec that has blue led's instead

**Roadee** · Apr 22, 2004, 10:04 PM

I was thinking about adding some blue LED's to the VGA Silencer

Asmoday · Apr 22, 2004, 10:09 PM

Good job Roadee!!

Judas · Apr 23, 2004, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zardon
if you are getting those clocks on a 9800 pro with stock cooling judas, might be worthwhile to see how high the card can go.

er.... i believe i got a good one... cause i was able to successfully complete the 3Dmark03 entire suite with the core at 450 and the mem at 400 on stock cooling... although i must admit... we bit more artifacts then i could have ever put up with... And i refuse to post the score....(bye bye chaos

)

~~DriveEuro~~ · Apr 23, 2004, 06:38 AM

I still prefer the time and effort it takes to attach an AMD heatsink to a vid card.

Nice guide Roadee. This will help A LOT of people.

Zardon · Apr 23, 2004, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Judas
er.... i believe i got a good one... cause i was able to successfully complete the 3Dmark03 entire suite with the core at 450 and the mem at 400 on stock cooling... although i must admit... we bit more artifacts then i could have ever put up with... And i refuse to post the score....(bye bye chaos )

you could also successfully complete the entire suite at higher clocks but once you see artifacts you are past the cards running level so its kind of pointless.

BWX · Apr 23, 2004, 12:51 PM

Nice guide, I'll probably do something like that with my next card- probably the 9800XT, the 9700p is going as fast as it will already.

Gardinen · Apr 23, 2004, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BWX
Nice guide, I'll probably do something like that with my next card- probably the 9800XT, the 9700p is going as fast as it will already.

I'm using about the same clock speeds on my 9700np as you are. Are you using stock cooling??
And also, would it be worth to upgrade to 9800XT?

BWX · Apr 23, 2004, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gardinen
I'm using about the same clock speeds on my 9700np as you are. Are you using stock cooling??
And also, would it be worth to upgrade to 9800XT?

\

I'm using the stock heatsink, but I lapped it mirror smooth. Also I removed the shim, used AS Ceramique and used nylon nuts and springloaded washers w/ metal bolts to hold the heatsink on. I also took the stock fan out and strapped a 60 x 25mm 4000 rpm fan to the heatsink- Well I have it attached with screws now- I can complete 3dmark03 and any other benchmark @ 370 core- I also have big heatsinks on the ram.. The memory is weak on my 9700pro though- I think it''s just one of the chips because I used to run it at 350mhz all day long, then all of the sudden it starts showing artifacts at anything above 325 or so- but it will still complete benchmarks at much higher speed, just showing artifacts..

I think I'm going to buy a 9800XT when the new cards come out, or maybe just save up and buy one of the new cards (the X800) when the price comes down a little on them.. An OC's 9700 pro is still a pretty fast card though.. I just wish my memory went faster.. But Oh well.
'Here are some pics of the mod- the fan is now connected with regualar screws-
Actually now it's a 50 x 15mm fan @ 4500rpm, but I hardly hear it. and it fits better..

Oh, and I have a northbridge heatsink on the heatplate with a 40mm fan on that- it works great- pluse there is an 80mm fan blowing directly on the card that is mounted in the side of my case which cools the whole card.

http://users.adelphia.net/~bwx232/at...-ramsinks1.jpg
http://users.adelphia.net/~bwx232/at...-ramsinks2.jpg
http://users.adelphia.net/~bwx232/at...-ramsinks3.jpg
http://users.adelphia.net/~bwx232/at...-ramsinks4.jpg
http://users.adelphia.net/~bwx232/at...-ramsinks5.jpg

I would buy an XT if you got the money and like games like FarCry- But the 9700pro pushes even that game pretty good, I'm having fun with it.. But that game need a gig of ram to turn up all the options- When I put everything on very high I get stuttering & HD activity w/ only 512 mb of ram- but besides that get playable framerate..

Judas · Apr 23, 2004, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zardon
you could also successfully complete the entire suite at higher clocks but once you see artifacts you are past the cards running level so its kind of pointless.

Reason i said i wouldn't post my 3Dmark score...

I do believe though with some decent cooling... and maybe a stronger PSU i might be able push it to say 430 and 390 without a hitch....

Zardon · Apr 23, 2004, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Judas
Reason i said i wouldn't post my 3Dmark score...

I do believe though with some decent cooling... and maybe a stronger PSU i might be able push it to say 430 and 390 without a hitch....

well go do it then !

Gardinen · Apr 23, 2004, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BWX
\Oh, and I have a northbridge heatsink on the heatplate with a 40mm fan on that- it works great- .

What is the main purpose of the heatplate?

BWX · Apr 23, 2004, 08:11 PM

It cools off the chip underneath it-- put your finger on it after running a benchmark for a few minutes.. Mine gets crazy hot- well it used to, now it's just warm.

**Roadee** · Apr 30, 2004, 04:46 AM

If anyone has done this mod using the VGA Silencer.......either on there own or had someone help them.....do me a favor and post your opinion about the install and your over all impression of the cooler. It will be a nice way for other's reading this to get a better idea about the cooler and what other's think about it.

Thanks!!

mainman · May 3, 2004, 06:01 AM

Awsome guide bud, i was thinking of doing the same on my 9700 Pro, this guide is really gonna help me, congrats on a very well done article, keep up the good work.

@/2ct!< · May 3, 2004, 11:04 PM

You should just throw it in Kakarot's prommy

Evil Techie · May 5, 2004, 12:16 AM

im so sad that this arctic cooling VGA silencer wont work on my Ti4200...

looks like ive gotta go find a suitable AMD heatsink and start drilling and cutting...

DeeGee · May 5, 2004, 03:00 AM

Well, my own Artic is in the mail... So i'll post my own impression of it soon

My Club 3D Radeon 9800 Pro (samsung mem) is running 385/360 now...

**Roadee** · May 5, 2004, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeeGee
Well, my own Artic is in the mail... So i'll post my own impression of it soon

My Club 3D Radeon 9800 Pro (samsung mem) is running 385/360 now...

I think you will like it.......my BB Radeon 9800 Pro is running 450+/ 360+ completely artifact free.......I love this cooler!!

DeeGee · May 5, 2004, 02:50 PM

Mailman made his trip fast

I'll post some pictures of the installation and the small problems I had as soon as I upload the pictures...
I think it's time for some overclocking...

[edit1] Here are the pictures if anyones intrested...
http://www.students.oamk.fi/~t3paja01/artic/

05-09: Images of the package
10-13: Inside of my machine and the place where it all should fit
14-18: Radeon and Artic
19: Artics surface
20-22: Stock cooler
23-28: R350 core
29-30: Stock cooler surface
31: removing the backplate
32-36: Fitting the new backplate
37-39: Place for addittional screw (not included)
40-43: Radeon and Artic
44-47: Testing Artics fitting on the Radeon
48-49: Found a fitting screw from my own "collection"
50: Included silicon paste vs. Artic Silver 5 (used silver 5)
51-53: Artic Silver 5 on the core
54-55: Artics underside
56-57: retention medhanism in place
58-66: Whole thing ready for install
67-69: Inside of my machine and the place where it all should fit
70-74: The damn speed switch is in the way
75-76: Inside
77-79: Damn extra audio cable...
80-81: The speed switch causes this?
82: The culprit
83: Ugh... I hope it's deep enough... and will not fry...
84-85: Inside

I think I will remove that speed switch out of the way... I will anyway run it at full speed all the time.

[edit2] Well, as the artic was very hot to touch on windows desktop when it apparently was running at low speed I will definetly run it at full speed all the time!

DeeGee · May 5, 2004, 06:20 PM

Well it seems I can get 400 vs. 385 from core without artifacts. I also got 3DMark03 to run through at 420/370 with artifacts...

**Roadee** · May 6, 2004, 03:52 AM

Did you use ATI Tool to find your highest rates on clock and memory??

DeeGee · May 6, 2004, 12:09 PM

No I used manual overclocking as I have never even heard about atitool... But I'll try it now that I know there is such a tool.

Apr 22, 2004, 01:55 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,481 Rep Power: 162	Driverheaven Guide: Upgrading GFX Cooling Joe "Roadee" Dawson, one of Driverheavens Moderators has put up a great guide to help all of your interested in upgrading your video card cooling. "I see a lot of members here on DriverHeaven wanting to get the most that they can out of their video cards. Games seem to keep getting better and more complex, and requiring more and more video power. Yet our income doesnt always allow us to upgrade every time the newest card comes on the market. One of the easiest ways of increasing performance for low cost is upgrading the cooling on your video card. It is fairly easy to do, but a lot of people are understandably weary of trying it. So I figure that since I am upgrading the cooling on my card, I will share this experience with you, and hopefully help a few of you take the plunge in modding your video card. You must keep in mind though, that performing ANY mods on your video card VOIDS the warranty. So again, only attempt this mod at your own risk!!" Read the guide here

Apr 22, 2004, 07:18 PM	#8
Chaos Number Nine Join Date: May 2002 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 5,077 Rep Power: 130 System Specs	Nice one Roadee, I was going to do that exact guide but my VGA Silencer got lost by Canada Post in transit. After waiting 2 weeks I got pissed off and bought a dual fan card by Vantec that has blue led's instead __________________

Apr 22, 2004, 10:04 PM	#9
Roadee Never forgotten Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rest In peace, Joe. Posts: 2,198 Rep Power: 55	I was thinking about adding some blue LED's to the VGA Silencer __________________ We are born naked, wet, and hungry. Then things get worse.

Apr 22, 2004, 10:09 PM	#10
Asmoday Demonic Join Date: May 2002 Location: In the cold, dark north... Posts: 5,196 Rep Power: 78 System Specs	Good job Roadee!! __________________ How You can help Hardwareheaven by using Digg

Apr 23, 2004, 12:51 PM	#14
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,586 Rep Power: 96 System Specs	Nice guide, I'll probably do something like that with my next card- probably the 9800XT, the 9700p is going as fast as it will already. __________________ One Big Ass Mistake America

Apr 22, 2004, 02:05 PM	#2
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 3,210 Rep Power: 82	Very interesting read. Good work.

Apr 22, 2004, 02:48 PM	#3
Gardinen DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Trollhättan, Sweden Posts: 512 Rep Power: 0	hmm it seems that the VGA silencer is alot easier to install than the Zalman Heatpipe. But IMO, the Zalman makes my graphic card look goood.

Apr 22, 2004, 04:26 PM	#4
Vidmaster23 DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 77 Rep Power: 0	Man what great timing on this guide! I was looking to upgrade the cooling on my radeon... thanks!

Apr 22, 2004, 04:34 PM	#5
~~Sourcer_2002~~ BANNED Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Indiana , USA Posts: 2,677 Rep Power: 0	Very nice Roadee great work!

Apr 22, 2004, 06:55 PM	#7
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,481 Rep Power: 162	if you are getting those clocks on a 9800 pro with stock cooling judas, might be worthwhile to see how high the card can go.

Apr 23, 2004, 06:38 AM	#12
~~DriveEuro~~ Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	I still prefer the time and effort it takes to attach an AMD heatsink to a vid card. Nice guide Roadee. This will help A LOT of people.

Apr 23, 2004, 08:11 PM	#20
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,586 Rep Power: 96 System Specs	It cools off the chip underneath it-- put your finger on it after running a benchmark for a few minutes.. Mine gets crazy hot- well it used to, now it's just warm.

Apr 30, 2004, 04:46 AM	#21
Roadee Never forgotten Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rest In peace, Joe. Posts: 2,198 Rep Power: 55	Are you using a VGA Silencer?? If anyone has done this mod using the VGA Silencer.......either on there own or had someone help them.....do me a favor and post your opinion about the install and your over all impression of the cooler. It will be a nice way for other's reading this to get a better idea about the cooler and what other's think about it. Thanks!! __________________ We are born naked, wet, and hungry. Then things get worse.

May 3, 2004, 06:01 AM	#22
mainman Mr. Nobody Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: OmniPresent Nightwatcher Posts: 5,937 Rep Power: 55	Awsome guide bud, i was thinking of doing the same on my 9700 Pro, this guide is really gonna help me, congrats on a very well done article, keep up the good work. __________________

May 3, 2004, 11:04 PM	#23
@/2ct!< HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Not Vegas, anymore :( Posts: 1,386 Rep Power: 0	You should just throw it in Kakarot's prommy __________________

May 5, 2004, 12:16 AM	#24
Evil Techie DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2004 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	im so sad that this arctic cooling VGA silencer wont work on my Ti4200... looks like ive gotta go find a suitable AMD heatsink and start drilling and cutting...

May 5, 2004, 03:00 AM	#25
DeeGee DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oulu, Finland Posts: 17 Rep Power: 0	P Well, my own Artic is in the mail... So i'll post my own impression of it soon My Club 3D Radeon 9800 Pro (samsung mem) is running 385/360 now... Last edited by DeeGee; May 5, 2004 at 04:35 AM.

May 5, 2004, 02:50 PM	#27
DeeGee DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oulu, Finland Posts: 17 Rep Power: 0	Mailman made his trip fast I'll post some pictures of the installation and the small problems I had as soon as I upload the pictures... I think it's time for some overclocking... [edit1] Here are the pictures if anyones intrested... http://www.students.oamk.fi/~t3paja01/artic/ 05-09: Images of the package 10-13: Inside of my machine and the place where it all should fit 14-18: Radeon and Artic 19: Artics surface 20-22: Stock cooler 23-28: R350 core 29-30: Stock cooler surface 31: removing the backplate 32-36: Fitting the new backplate 37-39: Place for addittional screw (not included) 40-43: Radeon and Artic 44-47: Testing Artics fitting on the Radeon 48-49: Found a fitting screw from my own "collection" 50: Included silicon paste vs. Artic Silver 5 (used silver 5) 51-53: Artic Silver 5 on the core 54-55: Artics underside 56-57: retention medhanism in place 58-66: Whole thing ready for install 67-69: Inside of my machine and the place where it all should fit 70-74: The damn speed switch is in the way 75-76: Inside 77-79: Damn extra audio cable... 80-81: The speed switch causes this? 82: The culprit 83: Ugh... I hope it's deep enough... and will not fry... 84-85: Inside I think I will remove that speed switch out of the way... I will anyway run it at full speed all the time. [edit2] Well, as the artic was very hot to touch on windows desktop when it apparently was running at low speed I will definetly run it at full speed all the time! Last edited by DeeGee; May 5, 2004 at 04:41 PM.

May 5, 2004, 06:20 PM	#28
DeeGee DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oulu, Finland Posts: 17 Rep Power: 0	Overclocking Well it seems I can get 400 vs. 385 from core without artifacts. I also got 3DMark03 to run through at 420/370 with artifacts...

May 6, 2004, 03:52 AM	#29
Roadee Never forgotten Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rest In peace, Joe. Posts: 2,198 Rep Power: 55	Did you use ATI Tool to find your highest rates on clock and memory?? __________________ We are born naked, wet, and hungry. Then things get worse.

May 6, 2004, 12:09 PM	#30
DeeGee DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oulu, Finland Posts: 17 Rep Power: 0	No I used manual overclocking as I have never even heard about atitool... But I'll try it now that I know there is such a tool.