Swapping 9600 HS

Kizz · Post by **Kizz** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 2:43 pm

I'm thinking of upgrading my old rig with some new cooling, to silence it a bit so it can be used as a server on and off so the noise doesn't become too distracting. From listening to the noise from the case it is obviously apparent that the loudest source is the fan on my 9600. The two current contenders for replacement are the Thermltake Schooner and Arctic Silencer 1. The Schooner is a bit more expensive, but has the advantage of being totally passive, although the protruding HS and complicated assembly worry me slightly. The Arctic Silencer is about half the price, but I haven't really been able to find many stats about the noise compared to the cooling on lower-end cards.

Which do you think would be the best option? Thanks

Aris · Post by **Aris** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 3:15 pm

what about the Thermalright V-1 or the Zalman ZM80D-HP?

SebRad · Post by **SebRad** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 3:23 pm

Hi, I have an Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer on my 9600pro and it works fine. Mine has a slight but noticeable rumble when run on low so I run it even lower than that. Its cooling power is enough for a 9800pro, even on low, which is about twice as hot. Note for 9600 you need the rev3 or you have to cut the bottom edge off like I did.
If I had it to do again I would go with a passive solution, probably a Zalman ZM80-HP or even the smaller ZM50 is enough for a 9600, Sapphire made a version of 9600XT with (slightly modified) ZM50 on it.
There are other passive solutions out there and the 9600 only puts out about 20w so cooling it is relatively easy. It's even been done with a NB47J (with a bit of help from a nearby fan).
Seb

dfrost · Post by **dfrost** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 4:50 pm

The Aerocool VM-101 works extremely well and absolutely silently on my 9600 Pro, where I'm fortunate to have enough room between VGA and CPU with XP-120. Here's a photo of that area in my system: (Note that the VGA is one PCI slot "low.")

http://www.pbase.com/dmfrost/image/47265172

They were sold by CompUSA for about $20, and are now being replaced by an all-copper and unfortunately larger, heavier version called the VM-102, which may not be available in the US yet. Sorry if I've offered an unavailable temptation.

Kizz · Post by **Kizz** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:14 am

The 101 and V1 both look quite large, and I would like to fit the card into a MATX case, so would cuase problems. The ZM80C is more in line with what I could use, and is available for £17, which is in line with my budget. The ZM50 looks even better, but how well does it run fanless under load? Would it be better with an undervolted fan blowing over it? Also I can't find any UK suppliers

. I could get a ZM17 instead, but I think that could be pushing it.

EDIT : After checking case dimensions I may be able to fit in some of the larger heatsinks. I'm aprticularly attracted to the 101, but the heatpipes look like they stick out quite far over the sdies, which could rpove to be a problem. Does anyone know exactly how far they willl protrude?

Tephras · Post by **Tephras** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:51 am

As SebRad wrote, the NB47J has been used as a VGA cooler for the 9600, so a ZM50 or a ZM17 should suffice.

Kizz · Post by **Kizz** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:04 pm

I wouldn't mind getting a ZM50, but as I said, I can't find any UK suppliers.

Chang · Post by **Chang** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:25 pm

I tried using a NB47J on my 9600XT and was running too hot to stay stable. My measurements showed that the Aerocool wouldn't work so I ended up using a Zalman ZM80D.

the_smell · Post by **the_smell** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 3:03 pm

The only place I know that still stocks the ZM50 in the UK is:
http://www.koolnquiet.co.uk/index.php?m ... &cat_id=12
But with that price i'd be tempted with the ZM80

dfrost · Post by **dfrost** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 8:22 pm

The VM-101 heatpipes extend 18mm past the edge of my 9600 Pro, and the top of the fin assembly is 45mm above the VGA surface. The heatpipe curve could be adjusted inward slightly (a few mm) by just clamping the pipes in a different spot. BTW, the screws that clamp the heat pipes on the underside of the VGA (on the GPU HS block) extend very close to the adjacent PCI slot. They wouldn't if they were countersunk.

Kizz · Post by **Kizz** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 6:39 pm

Thanks for the info

OK....I should just be able to fit that into the case (I hope), and there will be a spare slot (or two) below so screws are no problem. So now the choice is between the VM-101 or ZM80D since both are a similar price. I'm inclined to go for the VM-101 since the hs just looks cool, but will either offer a significantly better cool?

EDIT - I think I may buy a 102 off of silencio, since I was planning to order some fans anways

rseiler · Post by **rseiler** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 3:43 pm

I'd be interested in your experiences with whatever you did purchase.

jhhoffma · Post by **jhhoffma** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 4:10 pm

No need for the ZM80D, unless you can find it cheaper than a ZM80C.

The 'C' only has one heatpipe and no fan, but works like a (silent) champ on my 9700Pro.

vincentfox · Post by **vincentfox** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 6:01 pm

I have a Sapphire 9600 Pro unit with a ZM-17 attached works great for about 2 years now. Heatsink warm but never hot even under stress. Unit is OC'd too no problems. I would have used a ZM-50 or ZM-80 but had got this ZM-17 for free and just had to try out my thermal epoxy and see. Okay, not so easy to remove at this point but I don't care. It will stay on the card until I retire it since it works fine.

The card really doesn't dump that much heat. I am convinced that as long as you keep PCI#1 empty you could stick on just about any old decent-sized heatsink you have lying around and it would be fine as long as your case has some small amount of air-flow. I first thought about gluing on an old CPU heatsink I had that was made of copper but it was a lot heavier than the ZM17 and I worried the weight might be too much.