4850: Anyone using a 120mm fan powered by the 4850's fan header?

francisA

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Dec 2, 2008
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I just installed an HR-03 GT, running passive right now. Temps are ok. I've seen it drop to 38C idle but seem to like 42C idle when CPU is loaded. GPU loaded, I've seen it go all the way up to 77C.

Though the GPU is fine (I think), it's the VRM/RAM/PWM chips that I'm worried about. The temps go up to about the GPU's temps so not really bad.

I'm thinking of attaching a 120mm to the side panel of the case that will feed cool air from the outside directly on the card and chips but wanted to use the 4850's fan header just so when ATI finally releases a driver with better fan control, the fan will speed up based on GPU load.

Has anyone used a 120mm pwm fan on the 4850's fan header? Also what did you do about the plug? The 4850's plug is different than standard fan plugs. Wiring tips, etc?

Thanks in advance
 

error8

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Nov 28, 2007
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I'd say, don't do it. You don't really know how much power the card's fan header is able to feed you, so you might burn the header if your 120mm fan is too power hungry and who knows what else could die on your videocard. Why would you even need the fan speed control on that fan? Just buy a very silent 1000 rpm fan, plug it into your mobo or PSU and everything will be fine.
 

BassBomb

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Nov 25, 2005
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Originally posted by: error8
I'd say, don't do it. You don't really know how much power the card's fan header is able to feed you, so you might burn the header if your 120mm fan is too power hungry and who knows what else could die on your videocard. Why would you even need the fan speed control on that fan? Just buy a very silent 1000 rpm fan, plug it into your mobo or PSU and everything will be fine.

This

I have been running passive for 7 months FYI since I was afraid my yate would crash and burn when used horizontally..

 

AmberClad

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Jul 23, 2005
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Originally posted by: BassBomb
I have been running passive for 7 months FYI since I was afraid my yate would crash and burn when used horizontally..
I have four yates running horizontally (two for the top of the case which have been there for more than a year, two for the AC S1 on my video card cooler). They're all doing just fine.

Edit: Just to clarify though, I don't run them off the video card's fan header -- I use the headers on the motherboard.
 

BassBomb

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Nov 25, 2005
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Originally posted by: AmberClad
Originally posted by: BassBomb
I have been running passive for 7 months FYI since I was afraid my yate would crash and burn when used horizontally..
I have four yates running horizontally (two for the top of the case which have been there for more than a year, two for the AC S1 on my video card cooler). They're all doing just fine.

Edit: Just to clarify though, I don't run them off the video card's fan header -- I use the headers on the motherboard.

Sleeve or Ball yate?
I guess I could drop mine back on.. Too bad they arent 3$ each anymore (can't find in Canada)
 

AmberClad

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Jul 23, 2005
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I have the el cheapo sleeve bearing ones from Jabtech. $3.20 a piece for the volume I usually buy them at. I don't suppose they ship to Canada though :(...
 

Concillian

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May 26, 2004
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I'm running a Nexus 120mm fan on an arctic cooling heatsink. I have it located so it blows directly over the VRM area & I modified some of the heatsink to fit well over the VRMs and provide good cooling there.

4850 needs good VRM cooling. Don't leave them passive.

Now that I think about it, I'm not sure if it's plugged into the card itself, but I think it is.

As far as wiring, I had the MSI 4850, which had the same wire colors as normal PWM fans. I do not know of the stock ATi fan wire colors.
 

francisA

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Dec 2, 2008
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Thanks all.

I'll mount the 120mm on the side panel right beside the 4850 so air will flow both above and under the HR-03. That should somehow improve heat dissipation on the VRM and RAM chips. I still have a spare header on the UD3P that does control the fan speed automatically via voltage. Might be using NB temps to determine what to set fan speed to. That may be good enough to cool that 4850, as I figure, NB would heat up good when gaming.