GFX Cooling

Dymetrie · 09-03-2007, 10:51

As some of you know I'm in the process of constructing a new system using some cast offs, spares, and my current PC.

So far I have a stable, quiet system running in an IDEQ 200N SFF case and just need to swap out the RAM (currently 512MB but I have a gig in my other PC which I am hoping will work), the HDD (currently 40GB IDE to be replaced with the 200GB SATA from my other PC), sort the 5.1 surround so it works (haven't even tried it yet) and the GFX card...

The GFX is the problem.

The system is currently using a 9500 pro/9700... which is fine for standard stuff but I've not tried it with both monitors and it's a bit rubbish for games. I'd like to use the 9800 pro from my other PC but it has a stonking great Zalman heatpipe on it so won't fit...

This is where I'm asking for advice, comments, ridicule.

I'm considering changing the heatpipe on the 9800 pro for the fan cooling on the 9500 pro/9700. Do you guys reckon that:

a) the active cooling on the 9500 pro/9700 will be good enough to replace the passive cooling on the 9800 pro?

b) I will be able to succesfully swap the coolers without b0rking both cards (is it easy? have any of you ever done it before? Any advice on how to go about it?)?

c) I should just give it up and buy/beg/steal a decent GFX card which will fit in the SFF?

All of this will be moot if either the RAM or the 5.1 won't work in the little box (it's a bit fussy about the RAM you use, wouldn't work with the gig I stole off the Antipodean Midget, but that was crap stuff

), but fingers crossed all that will work so it'll just be the GFX which I need to sort out.

Thanks guys

Dym
building a smaller, quieter world to live in...

Zirax · 09-03-2007, 11:19

They all use a standard socket now which is 4 holes around the socket. The problem with that cooler is that it will be noisy. Can you fit an artic cooler in there?

It is very easy to swap them, just clean the old paste off and put some artic silver on there.

Dymetrie · 09-03-2007, 11:25

Well the cooler is the one which is cooling the 9500 pro/9700 at the moment...

The (almost) deathly silence when I turned Phoenix off last night was astounding... I slept well

Ideally I want this to cost as little as possible (because I'm skint atm) so if I can switch the coolers it'll be great. Even got some Arctic Silver 3 somewhere...

Just worried that the change in cooling might fry the 9800 pro.. which would be bad...

Mark · 09-03-2007, 11:41

Possibly - it's a bit of a performance step up.

Arctic Cooling would be my bet as well.

Oh, and why didn't you take first dibs on the gig I sent you?

Dymetrie · 09-03-2007, 12:18

Still trying to not spend out any cash on the rebuild.. But I think Arctic Cooling would fit in the case so may have a look around...

Already got a gig and a half of decent RAM, and hadn't planned to do this until after I sorted out Chris's system :/

Zirax · 09-03-2007, 12:35

I have an artic cooler here for a 9800 pro, its 8.5*18.5*3.3cm

Dymetrie · 09-03-2007, 12:45

You have as in spare?

I'll measure up when I get home or at the weekend, haven't even seen if the actual 9800 pro without the heatpipe will fit in the box but it's not a scary monster size one so should do, the 9500 pro/9700 does with its cooler...

There's actually a space for a PCI card next to the AGP slot so I think an arctic cooler that size should fit in ok...

Zirax · 09-03-2007, 13:31

Sorry its not going spare but I thought I would give you the measurements to see if it would fit in your case

Dymetrie · 09-03-2007, 14:48

Okies, measurements are good and checking around they're about £15...

I may grab one or I may see what the cooler off the 9500 pro/9700 can manage, hopefully without melting the card!

rich99 · 10-03-2007, 02:55

If it's any use I'm sure my brother still has his borked 9800 Pro at home which he still has his original cooler for (think he took the Arctic Cooler off and ebay'd it after the card died)

It looks like the one in this picture - http://www.gamepc.com/images/labs/re...pro-cardLG.jpg
and should still be in pretty good nick - only thing I'm not sure of is how irritating it is in terms of noise.

I should be home next weekend for Mother's Day so can grab it then and get it in the post to you if you think it'll be of any use

09-03-2007, 10:51	#1
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	GFX Cooling As some of you know I'm in the process of constructing a new system using some cast offs, spares, and my current PC. So far I have a stable, quiet system running in an IDEQ 200N SFF case and just need to swap out the RAM (currently 512MB but I have a gig in my other PC which I am hoping will work), the HDD (currently 40GB IDE to be replaced with the 200GB SATA from my other PC), sort the 5.1 surround so it works (haven't even tried it yet) and the GFX card... The GFX is the problem. The system is currently using a 9500 pro/9700... which is fine for standard stuff but I've not tried it with both monitors and it's a bit rubbish for games. I'd like to use the 9800 pro from my other PC but it has a stonking great Zalman heatpipe on it so won't fit... This is where I'm asking for advice, comments, ridicule. I'm considering changing the heatpipe on the 9800 pro for the fan cooling on the 9500 pro/9700. Do you guys reckon that: a) the active cooling on the 9500 pro/9700 will be good enough to replace the passive cooling on the 9800 pro? b) I will be able to succesfully swap the coolers without b0rking both cards (is it easy? have any of you ever done it before? Any advice on how to go about it?)? c) I should just give it up and buy/beg/steal a decent GFX card which will fit in the SFF? All of this will be moot if either the RAM or the 5.1 won't work in the little box (it's a bit fussy about the RAM you use, wouldn't work with the gig I stole off the Antipodean Midget, but that was crap stuff ), but fingers crossed all that will work so it'll just be the GFX which I need to sort out. Thanks guys Dym building a smaller, quieter world to live in... __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet.... Last edited by Dymetrie; 09-03-2007 at 10:54.

09-03-2007, 11:25	#3
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	Well the cooler is the one which is cooling the 9500 pro/9700 at the moment... The (almost) deathly silence when I turned Phoenix off last night was astounding... I slept well Ideally I want this to cost as little as possible (because I'm skint atm) so if I can switch the coolers it'll be great. Even got some Arctic Silver 3 somewhere... Just worried that the change in cooling might fry the 9800 pro.. which would be bad... __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet....

09-03-2007, 12:18	#5
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	Still trying to not spend out any cash on the rebuild.. But I think Arctic Cooling would fit in the case so may have a look around... Already got a gig and a half of decent RAM, and hadn't planned to do this until after I sorted out Chris's system :/ __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet....

09-03-2007, 12:45	#7
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	You have as in spare? I'll measure up when I get home or at the weekend, haven't even seen if the actual 9800 pro without the heatpipe will fit in the box but it's not a scary monster size one so should do, the 9500 pro/9700 does with its cooler... There's actually a space for a PCI card next to the AGP slot so I think an arctic cooler that size should fit in ok... __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet....

09-03-2007, 14:48	#9
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	Okies, measurements are good and checking around they're about £15... I may grab one or I may see what the cooler off the 9500 pro/9700 can manage, hopefully without melting the card! __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet....

09-03-2007, 11:19	#2
Zirax Goes up to 11! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,577	They all use a standard socket now which is 4 holes around the socket. The problem with that cooler is that it will be noisy. Can you fit an artic cooler in there? It is very easy to swap them, just clean the old paste off and put some artic silver on there.

09-03-2007, 11:41	#4
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Possibly - it's a bit of a performance step up. Arctic Cooling would be my bet as well. Oh, and why didn't you take first dibs on the gig I sent you?

09-03-2007, 12:35	#6
Zirax Goes up to 11! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,577	I have an artic cooler here for a 9800 pro, its 8.518.53.3cm

09-03-2007, 13:31	#8
Zirax Goes up to 11! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,577	Sorry its not going spare but I thought I would give you the measurements to see if it would fit in your case

10-03-2007, 02:55	#10
rich99 Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Stratford-upon-Avon Posts: 195	If it's any use I'm sure my brother still has his borked 9800 Pro at home which he still has his original cooler for (think he took the Arctic Cooler off and ebay'd it after the card died) It looks like the one in this picture - http://www.gamepc.com/images/labs/re...pro-cardLG.jpg and should still be in pretty good nick - only thing I'm not sure of is how irritating it is in terms of noise. I should be home next weekend for Mother's Day so can grab it then and get it in the post to you if you think it'll be of any use