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NoxTek
The Geek Redneck
- Joined
- May 27, 2002
- Messages
- 9,300
Arctic Cooling has been around for a few years now and are well known for providing some stellar GPU and CPU cooling solutions at very reasonable prices. The company hit it big with the enthusiast community a few years ago with the introduction of their NV Silencer line of GPU coolers. Have they got another winner on their hands with the Arctic Cooling Accelero S1?
Oh come on... you already know the answer to that! You can hardly visit any of the enthusiast site's GPU forums without being assaulted by hundreds of posts praising this badboy. But I had to see for myself, you know?
So I ordered my Accelero S1 from Newegg on December 31st, paid for overnight shipping, and it STILL didn't arrive until Monday the 7th of January. Schmucks! Enough talk, let's make with the eye candy!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
The Accelero S1 comes packed in your basic 'blister' type packaging. It's not too bad and thankfully the edges aren't sealed so no scissors are needed, it's easy to open. I would have preferred a box with shaped foam similar to how my Tuniq Tower was packaged - this would prevent the fins from getting all dented and mangled in shipping and handling. A minor complaint really.
The Accelero S1 comes with everything you would need to mount it to a variety of ATI and NVIDIA cards. Arctic Cooling claims compatibility with the following cards:
ATI Radeon: HD 3870, 3850, X1950, X1900, X1800 series
nVIDIA GeForce: 8800GTS(G92), 8800GT, 7950, 7900, 7800, 6800 series (except 7X00 GS AGP)
The Accelero S1 comes with 8 ramsinks which fit the BGA memory modules used on every current video card out there, and these ramsinks have peel-and-stick thermal adhesive pre-applied. Also included are VREG heatsinks to cool the voltage regulators on certain cards. A solution to cool the voltage regulators on 8800GT cards isn't provided and Arctic Cooling claims that the 8800GT does not need one.
Also included is a vented PCI slot cover - Arctic Cooling recommends you install this in the slot below your video card and create a negative pressure in your case so that cool air is drawn in through this vented slot cover and passes through the fins of the Accelero S1, thereby providing a means of moving the heat away.
Let's move onto the patient!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Oooh yeah! She's smoooooth.... She's seeeexxxy! Bom Chicka Wow Wow! But let's strip her anyway and see what's underneath that dress.
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
(Here you see I'm halfway done removing the heatsink retention screws for the original NVIDIA reference cooler)
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
OMG she's.... NAKED!!!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Sloppy ass job of applying thermal compound.... god it's EVERYWHERE, even on the shim around the GPU substrate itself!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Oh well that explains it.... bt they could have used a contact patch half that size. What a waste... *sigh*
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Here are the nasty hairy thermal pads used on the memory. These are GREASY and leave little white threads everywhere.
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
See? That BGA memory module is covered in greasy crap and even has some of the white 'hairs' from the thermal pads stuck to it.
OK a little rant here: You people complaining about your ramsinks not sticking need to make SURE you've cleaned your ram modules properly before you apply them! Rubbing alcohol alone will not work no matter how many times you scrub them. Those white thermal pads are so greasy and gunky and the memory modules substrate is so POUROUS that you have to use more brutal chemical warfare. You need to use one of the following methods:
1. Use the 2-part cleaning kit from Arctic Silver. Use a cotton swab or coffee filter soaked in Part 1 to clean each chip once, then once again, and then a third time. Then use a cotton swab or coffee filter soaked in Part 2 (Thermal surface purifier) to clean each chip once, then again, and then a third time.
2. Same as step one but use 'Goof OFF' (NOT GOO-GONE!) in place of Part 1, and use alcohol in place of Part 2.
Now back to the show:
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Mmmmm... SEXY! All clean and ready to be violated! Oh the humanity!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
(Gratuitous naked GPU and VREG shots)
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Here is the thermal tape used on the ramsinks included with the Accelero S1. I've seen better but in truth it bears a striking resemblence to the original 3M 'FragTape' and if you've cleaned your BGA modules PROPERLY they WILL stick. Remember when applying these to your memory modules - apply firm and even pressure for 30 seconds or so before gently releasing.
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Ramsinks installed!
Note to self: No more caffene before these projects!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
I wanted to cool my voltage regulation chips as much as possible despite Arctic Cooling claiming that the 8800GT doesn't need any VREG cooling, so I found some extra ramsinks in a drawer and applied them as best I could.
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Bom Chicka Wow Wow!
Now let's get the Accelero S1 itself installed!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
As you can see the cooler comes with thermal compound already applied, and I'm told that it's Arctic Cooling's own MX-1 thermal paste which is supposed to be every bit as good as (and maybe superior to) Arctic Silver 5, so I'm going to leave it there.
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Holes all lined up and ready for.... screwing?
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Here are the screws and washers included in the kit, these screws go through the back of the card and into the Accelero S1.
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Trying to attach the stupud plastic clips that come with the Accelero S1
The Accelero S1 came with a clipping mechanism meant to provide greater stability to the cooler and card when the cooler is installed. This clipping mechanism consists of 2 sets of clips; one L-shaped that grabs onto the top edge of the card and one T-shaped that you are supposed to push through the fins of the Accelero and clip onto the L-shaped clip while it's attached to the top edge of the card. THESE THINGS ARE WORTHLESS. I tried for 20 minutes to get these to work properly and ended up breaking one of them. I suggest throwing them in the nearest garbage bin. The Accelero S1 is so light that without the clips the whole unit is quite stable anyway.
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
All bolted down nice and tight!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Very nice! Definitely sexy looking!
Oh come on... you already know the answer to that! You can hardly visit any of the enthusiast site's GPU forums without being assaulted by hundreds of posts praising this badboy. But I had to see for myself, you know?
So I ordered my Accelero S1 from Newegg on December 31st, paid for overnight shipping, and it STILL didn't arrive until Monday the 7th of January. Schmucks! Enough talk, let's make with the eye candy!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
The Accelero S1 comes packed in your basic 'blister' type packaging. It's not too bad and thankfully the edges aren't sealed so no scissors are needed, it's easy to open. I would have preferred a box with shaped foam similar to how my Tuniq Tower was packaged - this would prevent the fins from getting all dented and mangled in shipping and handling. A minor complaint really.
The Accelero S1 comes with everything you would need to mount it to a variety of ATI and NVIDIA cards. Arctic Cooling claims compatibility with the following cards:
ATI Radeon: HD 3870, 3850, X1950, X1900, X1800 series
nVIDIA GeForce: 8800GTS(G92), 8800GT, 7950, 7900, 7800, 6800 series (except 7X00 GS AGP)
The Accelero S1 comes with 8 ramsinks which fit the BGA memory modules used on every current video card out there, and these ramsinks have peel-and-stick thermal adhesive pre-applied. Also included are VREG heatsinks to cool the voltage regulators on certain cards. A solution to cool the voltage regulators on 8800GT cards isn't provided and Arctic Cooling claims that the 8800GT does not need one.
Also included is a vented PCI slot cover - Arctic Cooling recommends you install this in the slot below your video card and create a negative pressure in your case so that cool air is drawn in through this vented slot cover and passes through the fins of the Accelero S1, thereby providing a means of moving the heat away.
Let's move onto the patient!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Oooh yeah! She's smoooooth.... She's seeeexxxy! Bom Chicka Wow Wow! But let's strip her anyway and see what's underneath that dress.
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
(Here you see I'm halfway done removing the heatsink retention screws for the original NVIDIA reference cooler)
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
OMG she's.... NAKED!!!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Sloppy ass job of applying thermal compound.... god it's EVERYWHERE, even on the shim around the GPU substrate itself!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Oh well that explains it.... bt they could have used a contact patch half that size. What a waste... *sigh*
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Here are the nasty hairy thermal pads used on the memory. These are GREASY and leave little white threads everywhere.
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
See? That BGA memory module is covered in greasy crap and even has some of the white 'hairs' from the thermal pads stuck to it.
OK a little rant here: You people complaining about your ramsinks not sticking need to make SURE you've cleaned your ram modules properly before you apply them! Rubbing alcohol alone will not work no matter how many times you scrub them. Those white thermal pads are so greasy and gunky and the memory modules substrate is so POUROUS that you have to use more brutal chemical warfare. You need to use one of the following methods:
1. Use the 2-part cleaning kit from Arctic Silver. Use a cotton swab or coffee filter soaked in Part 1 to clean each chip once, then once again, and then a third time. Then use a cotton swab or coffee filter soaked in Part 2 (Thermal surface purifier) to clean each chip once, then again, and then a third time.
2. Same as step one but use 'Goof OFF' (NOT GOO-GONE!) in place of Part 1, and use alcohol in place of Part 2.
Now back to the show:
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Mmmmm... SEXY! All clean and ready to be violated! Oh the humanity!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
(Gratuitous naked GPU and VREG shots
)(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Here is the thermal tape used on the ramsinks included with the Accelero S1. I've seen better but in truth it bears a striking resemblence to the original 3M 'FragTape' and if you've cleaned your BGA modules PROPERLY they WILL stick. Remember when applying these to your memory modules - apply firm and even pressure for 30 seconds or so before gently releasing.
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Ramsinks installed!
Note to self: No more caffene before these projects!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
I wanted to cool my voltage regulation chips as much as possible despite Arctic Cooling claiming that the 8800GT doesn't need any VREG cooling, so I found some extra ramsinks in a drawer and applied them as best I could.
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Bom Chicka Wow Wow!
Now let's get the Accelero S1 itself installed!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
As you can see the cooler comes with thermal compound already applied, and I'm told that it's Arctic Cooling's own MX-1 thermal paste which is supposed to be every bit as good as (and maybe superior to) Arctic Silver 5, so I'm going to leave it there.
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Holes all lined up and ready for.... screwing?
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Here are the screws and washers included in the kit, these screws go through the back of the card and into the Accelero S1.
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Trying to attach the stupud plastic clips that come with the Accelero S1
The Accelero S1 came with a clipping mechanism meant to provide greater stability to the cooler and card when the cooler is installed. This clipping mechanism consists of 2 sets of clips; one L-shaped that grabs onto the top edge of the card and one T-shaped that you are supposed to push through the fins of the Accelero and clip onto the L-shaped clip while it's attached to the top edge of the card. THESE THINGS ARE WORTHLESS. I tried for 20 minutes to get these to work properly and ended up breaking one of them. I suggest throwing them in the nearest garbage bin. The Accelero S1 is so light that without the clips the whole unit is quite stable anyway.
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
All bolted down nice and tight!
(Click on any of these photos to download a full 7.2 megapixel version)
Very nice! Definitely sexy looking!
