Passive high-end: XFX GeForce7950GS/T

s_xero · Post by **s_xero** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 12:58 pm

I came across this:

XFX is going to bring passive stuff at high end..
Really attractive for gamers who don't want an extra fan in their case.

I thought this plays near the 7900GTX in performance.
And out of experience I can tell that XFX-cards overclock pretty good.

vitaminc · Post by **vitaminc** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:19 pm

don't think you would want to OC the passive cards. They runs HAWT in stock speeds, and I bet you can cook your breakfast with your computer if you OC it.

tursca · Post by **tursca** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 11:51 pm

Well but if you don't OC it, do you think it's still gonna be too hot???

I have totaly passive system, only 2 vents (8,7db) for airfow... is this gona heat it up a lot?

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:21 am

Pictures are worth a thousand words....

GamingGod · Post by **GamingGod** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 6:03 pm

Omg im not usually turned on by graphic cards, but that thing is sexy! I like the way the heatpipes come out the top. It looks like a sports car or something.

line · Post by **line** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:28 am

TweakTown posts an exclusive review of the XFX GeForce 7950GT Extreme, which is a slightly overclocked model.

yacoub · Post by **yacoub** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:47 am

lol, I tried to post about this 40 minutes ago but had drama with my password here and had to reset it and then wait 30 minutes to try logging in again!

Good to finally see a new, high-end GPU passively-cooled!

Anandtech review of the oc'd model also:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2833

yacoub · Post by **yacoub** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:55 am

has anyone found temperature numbers for the card idle and under 3D graphics full load? I'm curious how hot it runs, especially since passively-cooled GPUs are notorious for running hot (and thus cutting their lifespan to some degree).

tursca · Post by **tursca** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:50 am

Here are the temperatures, and also one more review!

http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/378/4/

cobalt · Post by **cobalt** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 11:45 am

In case anyone didn't know yet, these XFX 7950GTs became available today. Look around, I ordered the OC'ed version from newegg at midnight EST for about $320 -- a lot closer to $300 than I thought this version would be. Apparently it shipped already.... Yay.

EDIT:
Thanks for posting the review links.

Temps on the XFX 7950GT Extreme: idle at 64C, full load 81C per guru3D's review -- much hotter than the non-passively cooled cards.

I'm going to put this in an Antec Solo case with an Intel E6400 with a Ninja Scythe and Antec NeoHE 430... I guess I'll probably need that fan on the heatsink.

For those who might be thinking about picking this up... the only reason I'm getting this card is to upgrade from AGP finally, and I want an HTPC gaming system that is quiet, HDCP compliant, and can hit 1080p, for less than the price of the highest end graphics cards. So the XFX is 4 for 4. If XFX hadn't released a passively cooled 7950GT, I doubt I'd go for this model. For gaming, waiting for DX10 is more economical.

tursca · Post by **tursca** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 1:42 pm

Another review:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2006/0 ... 70m/1.html

cobalt Be sure to report how do u like it. I am in Slovenia (Europe) and will probably have to wait a bit, before i can order it!

JAH · Post by **JAH** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 2:20 pm

Oh wow, I've been looking for a video card for my HTPC that's is powerful yet passively-cooled, with HDCP support and takes up only a single slot! XFX just hit a grand slam for me.

Now the question is, this should fit the Antec NSK2400 case comfortably right? Only thing that worries me is the silver heatpipes and fins at the top, hope they're not too tall for the NSK2400 since it's desktop case.

cobalt · Post by **cobalt** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 2:28 pm

tursca wrote:cobalt Be sure to report how do u like it. I am in Slovenia (Europe) and will probably have to wait a bit, before i can order it!

I'll give some feedback, but I don't think there's any way I won't like it. The new system (the components are rolling in over the next week) I'm planning to build is exponentially superior to my current gaming PC. So if it works at all, I'm going to be totally blown away by every single aspect of the system's performance.

EDIT:
Another review:
http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle. ... =870&cid=2

And another:
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardw ... x7950gtxt/

cor · Post by **cor** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 5:27 pm

Heres another review showing power consumtion of various leading high end cards. http://www.legitreviews.com/article/390/11/ The XFX 7950GT idles lower than the 7900GT, and only is slightly higher when under load.

XFX should be applauded for bringing passive cooling to the mainstream.. Definately looking forward to this card, any1 know where/when you can buy it.

Xstatic · Post by **Xstatic** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:31 pm

Cobalt: User comments would be GREAT. I have a p150 case that I'm going to upgrade with a E6700. I have a Thermalright XP-120, and since this is a downflow cooler with the fins oriented toward a future XFX 9750, I'm hoping there's enough air flow so I can go passive. I HATE the 7800 fan I have now - much preferred my old 6800 passive.

PS. Also not so thrilled with the 80mm fan on the NEO, at least not compared to my older Seasonic 300.

Anyway, I'm anxious to hear your thoughts about how idle at SIXTY works out.

Post by **Rusty075** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:35 pm

JAH, I replied to your post in the NSK thread, but I'll copy it here for any future forum cruisers to find too:

I wrote:That will definitely not fit in to a NSK2400. Installed, you've got about about 3/8" (1cm) between the top of the PCI bracket and the underside of the case lid.

Although you could cut a hole in the top of the case and stick the heatpipes out through it. "wink:

Pretty much the entire silver part of the cooling appartus will be in the way of the lid of the case.

The Internal · Post by **The Internal** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 9:05 am

I have two of the factory overclocked XFX 7950 GTs ordered for an SLI configuration in my P180b, to run alongside my passively sythe ninja'd x2 4400+.
UPS tracking shows them on schedule to get here on the 19th.
I hope to have one of the most badass non-liquid cooled quiet SLI rigs by the end of that day ^-^
I also ordered the Corsair 620 watt (which, from what I've heard on these forums, is a Seasonic OEM) to power it.

cobalt · Post by **cobalt** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 2:54 pm

Xstatic wrote:Cobalt: User comments would be GREAT. I have a p150 case that I'm going to upgrade with a E6700. I have a Thermalright XP-120, and since this is a downflow cooler with the fins oriented toward a future XFX 9750, I'm hoping there's enough air flow so I can go passive. I HATE the 7800 fan I have now - much preferred my old 6800 passive.

PS. Also not so thrilled with the 80mm fan on the NEO, at least not compared to my older Seasonic 300.

Anyway, I'm anxious to hear your thoughts about how idle at SIXTY works out.

I'm going to see how the NEO does at first, because I much prefer modular PSUs for purely aesthetic reasons, more than I need the computer to be super siltent. Basically, I'm going to use the PC as a gamer, check out Windows XP MCE for the first time (I'm curious about the Vista upgrade, whatever it's called), and then we'll see if I upgrade the card again later, or put the machine in my home theater as a quiet HTPC... If I do, I'll probably swap out the PSU.

I thought it was pretty amusing that in one of these reviews, they OC'ed the VGA card as high as possible, ran benchmarks, and then reported that when they closed the case door, the heat went up to 100C and there was some kind of shut down.

I probably won't OC the XFX 7950GT, unless I'm disappointed with its performance. I did order two Nexus 92mm fans and one Nexus 120mm fan, and a Zalman fan controller. I figure I'll add the fan on the Scythe Ninja to pull air through the CPU HS and back out the exhaust, and I'll use the fan controller on the rear exhaust fan, the CPU HS fan, and the two front 92mm fans. But maybe some other orientation of the HSF would be better?

By the way, that SLI system sounds great.

Xstatic · Post by **Xstatic** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 7:31 am

Cobalt: Not to get OT, but I recently installed MCE on my daughter's new machine, and I thought it was pretty slick! I think you'll like it; however, it is only a glorified file selector.

And I do like the modular, individual wire bundles io the NEO. The way of the future, I HOPE for everybody else.

I too read that reviewwhere the temps went UP with the case closed, but at least it showed that it's possible to run the card 45 to 65, which is way, WAY better than 60-90!

cobalt · Post by **cobalt** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 2:50 pm

Okay, I put together my Conroe system over the past day with the new XFX 7950GT Extreme VGA card. My Scythe Ninja didn't make it for the build, and I was thinking I'd leave it off for now, because I'm going to be moving soon and don't want to worry about it. I also didn't put the TV tuner card in yet.

Specs:
Asus P5B Deluxe WiFi AP
Conroe E6400 CPU with stock HSF
2x1GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 RAM
XFX 7950GT Extreme VGA
WD Caviar SE16 500GB HDD
Sony DVD-ROM
Antec Solo case with
-Nexus 120mm rear
-Nexus 92mm x2 front
-Zalman Fan Controller
Antec NeoHE 430
Windows XP MCE 2005

Some thoughts:
1. Very fast build, excellent case and mobo.
2. Zalman fan controller doesn't sit very stably due to short length.
3. Despite three case fans at full speed, this is a very quiet PC. I can't tell how quiet yet, because everything else in and just outside the room with a fan is louder, except my Pentium M notebook.

About the VGA card and CPU temperatures and performance:
1. I haven't overclocked the CPU or VGA card. CPU is limiting for newer FPS games at full 1920x1200 resolution and high graphics settings.
2. At idle, CPU temp is 46 to 49 degrees C, VGA is 60 to 62 degrees C. Don't know the ambient room temp, but it's probably between 70 and 73 degrees F.
3. After playing COD2 at 1680x1050 at high settings for 20 minutes, which loads the CPU at 100%, temps went to 53 degrees C for CPU and 76 degrees C for VGA card after 20 minutes.
4. Those were the highest temps in more than an hour of gaming (Fear, BF2, Rainbow Six Raven Shield, UT2004) with settings for reasonable framerates. RVS and UT2004 at full 1920x1200 resolution and highest graphics settings present absolutely no challenge to this set up.
5. I can probably turn the fans down and make the PC quieter without any problem.

Maybe I'll OC the CPU a little to get a few more FPS. All in all, I'm pleased with this build. I can see the VGA card working well for HD video, when I have a source of HD video that I can pump through the PC. I can also see this working very well in SLI.

I hope I answered the most obvious questions. Let me know if you have any questions.

Sizzle · Post by **Sizzle** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 4:17 pm

46C seems kinda high for a Core 2 Duo to idle at. My 6300 idled in the 20's with a Infinity and a S Flex

Xstatic · Post by **Xstatic** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:19 pm

Cobalt: Thanks for your comprehensive report! Looks like my machine will be almost exactly the same, since I ended up buying the P5B Deluxe as well. Still say 60C at idle is scary, but at least it's QUIET. Thanks again.

cobalt · Post by **cobalt** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:30 pm

You know, I added some thermal paste on the CPU before realizing that the stock HSF has some already on it. So it might be on a little thick. I just downloaded Core Temp and got 41C and 45C for the two cores at idle, so the ASUS utility seems to be pretty accurate. In any case, I'll swap out the HSF with the Ninja plus fan at a later time, and do a better job.

Also, I think the room I'm in is warmer than I thought. I have a window AC unit, but it's not always on.

The temperature changes for the VGA card should be accurate though. Six degrees warmer under heavy load isn't bad. Right?

pmcguire · Post by **pmcguire** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:36 pm

I have ordered one of these cards as a temporary VGA card to tide me over till DX10 cards become available. This will then be transferred to HTPC duty in my Zalman HD160.
I just noticed though that it is a pretty tight fit, anyone here used this with the Zalman HD160, or the Origean X11/X15?

Xstatic · Post by **Xstatic** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 10:59 am

Colbalt: Are you planning on running the ninja passive? Even with that XFX 60C cooker right below it?

Got my E6700 and the 7950 today

BTW fer you Canadians the 7950 is on sale at NCIXright now.

The Internal · Post by **The Internal** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:53 pm

I've only had a little time to play around with it, but my XFX 7950 GT SLI set up seems to work nicely in my P180b. I have the fans on lowest settings, and although I've not done a thorough testing of the thermals, it looks like my GPUs are staying well within the green, as is my CPU. At idle, the GPUs were at 65 celcius, and my CPU in previous tests never seemed to top 53 degrees C from four hours of HotCPU with both cores thrashing about. I'll try to update as I get more testing done.

Sizzle · Post by **Sizzle** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 4:35 am

I have the non extreme version on the way from newegg. Though I am still waiting for my RMA on my mobo

PretzelB · Post by **PretzelB** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 1:27 pm

I'm kicking myself for not seeing this when I got my dual 7600gs cards.

Pahuus · Post by **Pahuus** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 4:23 am

I just ordered an MSI 7950gt silent, wich differs a little from the XFX... I had a hard time finding pictures of the heatsink on this one, but I found one site:

http://www.mistermod.com/noticias.php?Id_Noticia=176

The heatsink fins seem to be larger, hopefully a more efficent cooling too.
I'm not sure if this one is available in the US, since I have found no reviews of it yet. Over here in finland I got this for about 230â‚¬, wich is alot cheaper than it's marked for. (About 290â‚¬)

Sizzle · Post by **Sizzle** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 5:40 pm

Pahuus wrote:I just ordered an MSI 7950gt silent, wich differs a little from the XFX... I had a hard time finding pictures of the heatsink on this one, but I found one site:

http://www.mistermod.com/noticias.php?Id_Noticia=176

The heatsink fins seem to be larger, hopefully a more efficent cooling too.
I'm not sure if this one is available in the US, since I have found no reviews of it yet. Over here in finland I got this for about 230â‚¬, wich is alot cheaper than it's marked for. (About 290â‚¬)

We probably won't see that in the U.S. MSI for some reason is reluctant to release their passive lines on our shores.

Passive high-end: XFX GeForce7950GS/T

Passive high-end: XFX GeForce7950GS/T

Machine Built!

MSI passive 7950gt

Re: MSI passive 7950gt