After-market coolers for your 6xxx?

shantd

Gawd
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Aug 2, 2008
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Decided to post this after reading meyerkev's thread on 6970s running hot. Here's my card. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7092082&CatId=3669

I don't overclock and I use a custom fan profile in Afterburner. My idle temp is decent enough at 56c. But if I even move the frikin mouse cursor that causes the GPU's core clock to go from 250mhz to 880mhz causing my temps to hit mid 60s....and this is before I even start a game.

During most games I'm in the low-mid 80s but for games with a lot of eye candy like the Witcher 2 I'm in the mid 90s within 5 minutes. It doesn't go beyond that, but the fan is just too damn loud to play that way.

Anyway, I think I pretty much have no choice, need a new cooler. I'm open to water cooling if it's a closed loop system like the H50 or H70 but I don't know if there's anything like that for a 6970.

3 questions:
1- What are you guys using/what do you reccomend?
2- Any way to prevent the core clock from going beyond baseline until I'm actually doing something with 3D?
3- If you take a look at my card, you'll see that it's encased in a box. Whatever cooler I choose, am I going to have to remove that enclosure?

Thanks a lot gentlemen, looking forward to your feedback as always.
 
I have a reference 6970 and I never really hear it while gaming. Hmm..

Don't worry about the temps... It does nothing but get you to worry about them and make posts like these. It's designed to take the heat, ignore it and enjoy the game.
 
I have a reference 6970 and I never really hear it while gaming. Hmm..

Don't worry about the temps... It does nothing but get you to worry about them and make posts like these. It's designed to take the heat, ignore it and enjoy the game.

The temperature's not the problem, as long as I'm below 100C I'm happy. It's the fan noise at issue. Once I hit 90C my fan has to work at 100% to ensure it doesn't get too much hotter. Dunno if you've tried playing a game with a 6970 blaring at 100%...it's annoying as shit. Don't really see an alternative here mate.
 
I have two. Both of my cards are MSI reference cards.

Beautiful as it can get, expert craftsmanship: http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/wahegp69.html They make zero noise.

and yes, you have to remove the stock heatsink, which requires removal of the shroud.

It's easy. Keep the parts in case of RMA or resale.:D

Alternatively.......remove the shroud, clean off the GPU chips and reapply some good quality TIM like Noctura NT-H1 or ArcticCooling MX4, replace and see if that makes a difference. Cleaning off the shit the vendors use and reapplying something that is high quality usually helps alot.
 
I have two. Both of my cards are MSI reference cards.

Beautiful as it can get, expert craftsmanship: http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/wahegp69.html They make zero noise.

:eek: That is beautiful, a real cadillac. Is that just a water-block then? Assuming I have to also buy the water-cooler that would put it well out of my price range, unfortunately. Still...I am curious what that has done for your temperatures/noise. What's your idle/load temps? What were they before you got these?

As far as applying a better paste, I thought about that but I really doubt that's gonna drop me down to the high 60s' or low 70s. If I'm going to the trouble of removing the shroud/cooler, I want serious results. I've noticed some cards have the shroud and some don't...any idea why? Is it meant to keep dust out?
 
That is beautiful, a real cadillac. Is that just a water-block then? Assuming I have to also buy the water-cooler that would put it well out of my price range, unfortunately. Still...I am curious what that has done for your temperatures/noise. What's your idle/load temps? What were they before you got these?

Yep, it's the block. Yep, you need the gear to go with it.

Idle, once the system comes to equilibrium is 40C.......but full work, which includes two HD blocks, a 6950 and a 6990 AND the CPU, an OC'd 930 (4.1 GHz) the temp rarely sees 55C and of course, the only noise I hear are case fans and radiator fans.

Normal temps on the stock coolers were 35-38C in 2D and 75-78C in full 3D load.:D
 
Yep, it's the block. Yep, you need the gear to go with it.

Idle, once the system comes to equilibrium is 40C.......but full work, which includes two HD blocks, a 6950 and a 6990 AND the CPU, an OC'd 930 (4.1 GHz) the temp rarely sees 55C and of course, the only noise I hear are case fans and radiator fans.

Normal temps on the stock coolers were 35-38C in 2D and 75-78C in full 3D load.:D

Yeah but having to pay $120+ on a new block each time you upgrade cards is tough. Suddenly that $350 6970 turns into almost $500 when you add in the cost of a block.
 
Yeah but having to pay $120+ on a new block each time you upgrade cards is tough. Suddenly that $350 6970 turns into almost $500 when you add in the cost of a block.
Slap that $95 air cooler on there, worse cooling, more noise.
But......Yup...........:D

I don't always watercool my GPUs, and it's sometimes more difficult to resell them.
But the 6000 reference models are noisy, especially the 6990.

Sorta like owning a Hummer.....if you have to ask about the gas mileage, you shouldn't buy one. (I do not own a Hummer.....:eek:)
 
put a shaman on my 6970 2gb xfx- cools quite well. idle temps stay in the 40s, gaming hits 70c, max i've seen is 81c in witcher 2 and I'm even oc'ing to 950/1440. at stock it's even cooler, staying around 60C

also, it's quiet. and it's big.. here is how big...

shaman 1

shaman 2
 
Only problem with those air coolers:

first you have to glue heatsinks on the RAM and MOSFETS. Good luck returning that to stock for RMA or resell.

second, how would you Crossfire that? It takes three spaces.

Not saying it doesnt work, just bulky. Waterblock is designed to allow Crossfire.:D
 
I pulled the trigger on a Swiftech Komodo 6900, it should arrive this week. Though it probably wouldn't be a viable option unless you were already planning on water cooling your rig.
 
If I had the cash, clearly magoo's recommendation is the best way to go, but that's way out of my price range.

That Shaman looks great. I checked around, they're about $75, which is still a bit more than I thought I'd have to spend, but it's only slightly more expensive than much inferior coolers. I'm tentatively settling on that. Still have to investigate those Arctic Acceleros, but with the accessories they're actually more expensive than the Shaman and I'm guessing they don't cool quite as well, but I have to confirm that.

For the guys who mentioned the Shaman, this is the case I own: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3829123&CatId=1842

I only have the one 6970, none of my other PCI slots are used. Think it would fit?

Thanks for all your input guys, I knew you'd come through. :cool:
 
Hows the air flow in the case? I tried playing around with my brother's 6970 tonight (stock clocks) and I couldnt get it as hot as yours.

- Checked it out on your link...does it let you put multiple fans up front?
 
Airflow's supposed to be pretty good actually, but my rear exhaust fan is out and the side fan is total garbage. It's huge (230mm) but hardly pushes any air. I disabled it and didn't experience any change in temperature. Maybe after replacing it with a top notch fan I'll see modest improvement.

Up front? Yeah, there's 2 fans there.

I don't think airflow's my issue. My main problem is I've got a very hot room because of all the gear I've got in here. It's usually in the low to mid 80Fs. That, and 6970s just run hot.
 
I have the GELID icy vision 2 on my 6950.

Cools well, is quiet, and comes with precut thermal tape and more heatsinks than you need.
only downside is that the vrm heatsink won't fit, but there are enough other heatsinks included that will fit that it isn't a problem at all.

Paid $26 for it.
 
the 5870 version of the Accellero Xtreme works fine on 6xxx series cards. Just buy the VRM001 package for the sinks and get some of their thermal glue and you are good to go. $55 from platinum micro through amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/ARCTIC-COOLING-ACCELERO-XTREME-5870/dp/tech-data/B003D8NEPY

also, the card becomes triple slot but is still pretty compact considering the cooling performance you get.
 
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I debated going with the Accellero but I'd read far many more bricking stories with it than the Shaman - so I went with the Shaman.
 
Slap that $95 air cooler on there, worse cooling, more noise.
But......Yup...........:D

I don't always watercool my GPUs, and it's sometimes more difficult to resell them.
But the 6000 reference models are noisy, especially the 6990.

Sorta like owning a Hummer.....if you have to ask about the gas mileage, you shouldn't buy one. (I do not own a Hummer.....:eek:)

I agree 100% :)

Personally, I love water-cooling.
But I just don't think it has very much "bang for the buck" as the extra overclocking headroom is just not that measurable in games.

But for keeping things both cool and quiet, it's certainly the best option.
 
I agree 100% :)

Personally, I love water-cooling.
But I just don't think it has very much "bang for the buck" as the extra overclocking headroom is just not that measurable in games.

But for keeping things both cool and quiet, it's certainly the best option.

10-4.:D
 
the 5870 version of the Accellero Xtreme works fine on 6xxx series cards. Just buy the VRM001 package for the sinks and get some of their thermal glue

I'm reading solid things about these. It's between this and the Shaman I guess. As for the glue, you don't use the pre-applied stuff? What do you do, rub it off and apply your own paste?
 
Their thermal tape works fine if you clean the ram first. Use some 91% rubbing alcohol, and scrub them clean with a q-tip. Then, they will adhere properly. Otherwise, they will fall off eventually
 
OK, thanks.

If I buy that Shaman, will I still need to pick up sinks for the ram/mosfets?
 
I took the Arctic Cooling Accelero S1 off my 4850, slapped it on the 6950 and I'm getting about 40C idle and 60-70C on load. Just remember to strap a 92mm fan on it and you are good to go. I think it's about $20-30 if you shop around.
 
Make sure to clean it, as my post above, except with the shaman, you will need to clean both the ram chips and the back of the little ram/fet heatsinks provided
 
Thanks, will do. Now I guess it's time to decide whether it will be the accelero or the Shaman. The best Accelero's basically the same price as the Shaman and from what I've read I believe the Shaman cools just a little bit better. I wonder if there are any head-to-head tests out there...
 
Thanks, will do. Now I guess it's time to decide whether it will be the accelero or the Shaman. The best Accelero's basically the same price as the Shaman and from what I've read I believe the Shaman cools just a little bit better. I wonder if there are any head-to-head tests out there...

all a matter of space, bro
 
To the poster who mentioned bricked cards that was only on the 5970 cards.I have one on my 5870 and not one issue.I spoke to an xfx agent and he said as long as I kept my stock hardware in the event of an rma just send it with the stock hardware and no issues on the rma what so ever.
 
I took the Arctic Cooling Accelero S1 off my 4850, slapped it on the 6950 and I'm getting about 40C idle and 60-70C on load. Just remember to strap a 92mm fan on it and you are good to go. I think it's about $20-30 if you shop around.

What did you use for the VRM and memory?
 
IMHO, the reference coolers for the 5xxx/6xxx series are actually the best in cooling, they just get incredibly loud which is the problem if you max the fans. Regardless they are the best compact solution for cooling the CPU, memory, and VRMs.

I had so many headaces with the Arctic Cooling Accellero on my 5870 that I eventually ripped it off because it was huge and not cooling my ram and VRMs properly and it was dumping all the hot air back into my case. Eventually I went back to the stock reference design cooler and temps dropped 10-20° even though the noise went up, I got used to it.

Stay away from Arctic Cooling. They bricked a lot of cards by pending PCBs, shorting out components, and don't provide proper VRM cooling.
 
IMHO, the reference coolers for the 5xxx/6xxx series are actually the best in cooling, they just get incredibly loud which is the problem if you max the fans. Regardless they are the best compact solution for cooling the CPU, memory, and VRMs.

I had so many headaces with the Arctic Cooling Accellero on my 5870 that I eventually ripped it off because it was huge and not cooling my ram and VRMs properly and it was dumping all the hot air back into my case. Eventually I went back to the stock reference design cooler and temps dropped 10-20° even though the noise went up, I got used to it.

Stay away from Arctic Cooling. They bricked a lot of cards by pending PCBs, shorting out components, and don't provide proper VRM cooling.

i've been using their coolers since i've had a Radeon 9700 pro and never had an issues with bricked cards or warped PCB's, you may just have really bad luck or i'm a hardware genious lol.
 
i've been using their coolers since i've had a Radeon 9700 pro and never had an issues with bricked cards or warped PCB's, you may just have really bad luck or i'm a hardware genious lol.

There's a large thread here on Hardforums with a lot of people with bricked 5970s because of the Accellero.

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1515486

http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=342847

Happened to hundreds of people on many hardware forums. AC never admitted the problem, nor provided any refunds or compensation.
 
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