6-Way Cooler roundup (FS-V7/VF700/VF900/NV5/AcceleroX1/VF1+)

[jmke]

Hello SPCR members! I've finally found the time to process the data I collected some time ago testing different products and come up with the resulting roundup right here.

this is my "conclusive thoughts" quote ripped from the last page for those who don't have the time to read the whole roundup "right now"

As it currently stands, the Accelero X1 offered the best performance/noise ratio on the 7800GT, however if you are looking for a cooler which offers wider compatibility than the VF1 Plus and Zalman VF900-Cu will make an excellent option (if you are running in SLI, VF1 Plus might pose some issues due to its larger size). The VF700 and FS-V7 are actually last generation products and they can’t quite keep up with the competition, even the stock cooling from nVidia is able to best them.

[stupid]

Since the Arctic Cooling NV Silencer 5 (Rev. 3) exhausts the hot air out the back instead of into the case it would be interesting to know the internal case temperature (in a closed case) will be for each of these coolers will be.

I imagine that a case using AC will be a little cooler internally than the other coolers. While the case temperature using all the remaining coolers will be more or less the same. This would be interesting data for people who are looking to passively cool the CPU.

[NoDamage]

Great roundup, this is the first time someone has actually conducted a thorough review of these coolers while properly accounting for stuff like fan speeds and noise levels. Definite props for this one, you did a great job!

Now all you need is to add the V-1 Ultra and do everything over again on the X1900XTX.

It is interesting to see that the Accelero has absolutely no noise difference between 25%, 50%, and 100% fan speeds. This is consistent with what many people have reported - that the Accelero is essentially silent even at 100%.

[jmke]

thank you for your comments guys, to answer your Q's:

it would be interesting to know the internal case temperature

I measured the CPU temperature during all tests and could not find any noticeable difference between the different GPU coolers, the CPU remained pretty much the same, when the GPU cooler was running with fan setting to SLOW/5V/LOW the CPU increased approx 2-3°C. That's about it, also with the NV5 this increase was present, although the air does exit towards the back, I did not see a drop in CPU temperature to lead me to believe hot air was being expelled better. The fan on the NV5 does not move a lot of air compared to a normal axial fan (like the rear 80mm at 1000rpm) so its impact on overall case/cpu temp is very small.

I've tested a cooling product in the past which fits in a spare PCI slot and aims to remove hot air from the case, the results were that the noise level increased, but overall temperature of the CPU remained the same, see it here: http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getart ... rticID=164

Now all you need is to add the V-1 Ultra

it's in the works:) got the unit lying ready here; but no funds for X1900XTX, sorry

[cAPSLOCK]

A good roundup of the major gfx coolers out there, definately a useful reference.
I would of liked subjective noise impressions of the different fans though.

[jmke]

good request cAPSLOCK, thanks. I'll try to power up the fans of the different coolers with an old AT PSU and include a subjective listening rating in the follow-up article. the AC models will require some ghetto solution to power on, but a few needles here and there will make it possible

[rpsgc]

What about the VF1 fanless? From the look of those temps I reckon it would fare very well

[jmke]

I would not advice it at all, there is not enough surface area to remove the heat in a passive configuration. the compact size, tightly packed fins and heat pipe configuration was chosen to perform best with active cooling. For a passive heatsink there have to be larger and more spread out fins, otherwise the GPU will overheat quickly.

look at the size of the Arctic Cooling S1 to get an idea how much surface area is needed for even a lower-end VGA card:


http://www.matbe.com/actualites/12954/a ... -s1-s2-s3/

[rpsgc]

Maybe in the future you could do a similar round-up but with passive HS (When the Accelero "S" series comes out perhaps).

[jmke]

I should be able to get my hands on the latest Aerocool VM, are there other high-end capable passive VGA coolers?

[rpsgc]

I should be able to get my hands on the latest Aerocool VM, are there other high-end capable passive VGA coolers?

There's the Be Quiet Polar Freeze and the Thermaltake Schooner, but I guess they're quite "obsolete" by now There aren't much choises right now until the passive Accelero's S come out.

[Tzupy]

While some of those coolers work fine with 60-70W of GPU heat, once you go over 100W, like the X1900XT (120W for the XTX), only the Accelero is still quietly usable.

If only I could find someone to manufacture my passive GPU cooler design...
It has 6 heatpipes and 50 fins, for a total 4,800 cm2 of dissipation area. Estimated weight about 400g.
It should be able to handle the X1900XTX.

[jmke]

only the Accelero is still quietly usable.

I think the Sytrin can keep up pace too with its copper design and heat pipes:)

[NoDamage]

Looking forward to the V-1 Ultra results. Make sure you try it with a variety of fan configurations. I suspect that if you strap on two fast, loud fans it will outperform everything else. But at more reasonable noise levels paired with slower fans it may not do so well.

[jmke]

. I suspect that if you strap on two fast, loud fans it will outperform everything else..

my goal is the best noise/performance balance, high speed fans are out of the question in that case:)

[rpsgc]

Only fanless VGA heatsinks I know of (new and old):

Aerocool VM-102
Be Quiet Polar Freezer
Thermaltake Schooner
Zalman ZM80D-HP

And the upcoming Accelero S series... such a poor selection.

[jmke]

this site compares VF900-Cu and V-1 Ultra at different fan speeds, records noise and temperatures, they use a 6800GT:
http://www.tweakers4u.de/artikel/zalman ... htm?page=2

[mawst95]

JMKE-

Great roundup. I have a question. Between the Accelero and zalman 900 which is less likely to interfer with adjacent slots. I assume they are both 2 slot solutions, but beyond that, do you have a feeling which would be less intrusive? Do you know if and when there will ever be a decent, quiet 1 slot solution for VGA? Maybe as the power consumption of vga cards goes down?.... thanks

Matt

[jmke]

Zalman will providing OEM directly with the VF100 which is a single slot cooling (looks like VF700) but other than that you're better to look for water cooling or a low heat output VGA card. There are limits how much heat you can quietly remove using simple air cooling and copper/heat pipes.

Size wise the VF900-Cu seems to have the advantage, although on motherboards where SLI slots are close together the back mounting bracket of the Zalman might interfere with the second VF900-CU. The Accelero X1 is 100% SLI certified by AC themselves, so if you DO encounter problems you can complain:)

[rpsgc]

Pictures of the VF-100 here and here. I don't know how I missed it

[jmke]

VF100 won't come to retail according to Zalman

[rpsgc]

VF100 won't come to retail according to Zalman

Now that just sucks.

[krille]

Haven't read all comments in this thread, but I've just got to say - Excellent review! This is what I've been looking for a long time now.

Also the info on the nVidian fan controller issue/bug (fan running @ 100% @ all times) was of good use (it was one of the main reasons I replace my 7800GTX with a X1900XTX - couldn't stand the NV5 Silencer Rev.3 @ 100% all day long). Great thanks for your efforts! It's profoundly appreciated.

I can also reassure you the Accelero X2 is really quiet on an X1900XTX. I went ahead and got that one, perfect choice. Can't hear it over my Nexus fans, Seasonic S12-600 PSU and Samsung P120 SP2504C hard drive.!

~ Kris