ATI 9800 PRO or XFX 6600GT 2nd generation?

[DaFOBulous1]

I got a 9800 pro for my an AOPEN HTPC build. Unfortunately, the CPU fan sucks the air right behind the core of the 9800 pro. I decided to buy a copper heatsink for it to reduce the temperature of the video card. However, I had a chance to buy the 2nc generation heatsink XFX 6600gt.

Would it run cooler? It be a $10-$20 difference on my part but I'm just wondering if the temperature setting would be worth it since I don't care too much about the improved performance (she wouldn't know the difference).

 

[mwmorph]

6600gt will be faster, but runs very hot. the xfx also has a pretty bad cooler so...

 

[DaFOBulous1]

Will it run hotter than the 9800 pro, that is my main concern or reason for the upgrade. the XFX is the 2nd generation cooler so supposedly, it's decent.

 

[mwmorph]

yes. most 6600gt will run hotter than a 9800pro.

if ypu are so worried about temps just install a aftermarket cooler.
It's somewhat hard to compre, ati's pro modles not having temp sensors, but the 9800 pro runs resonably cool.

 

[impemonk]

get the XFX 6600gt

The 2nd generation cooler is better than the reference design it was using before. If you're not satisfied with the cooling device on the XFX (should you get it) then buy a V700 AlCu aftermarket cooler (by Zalman) and it'll keep that puppy cool for a long time.

 

[ElFenix]

shouldn't your question be, which one uses less power, as, regardless of how good the card's cooler is, it is only putting heat into a tiny little box?