BFG 6800OC & using the NV5 silencer

[jelifah]

After some investigative work, the tweaker in me wants to replace my BFG 6800 OC fans with the NV5 silencer.

Info on the ease of swapping the fan

I've built several computers in the past, but messing with the Graphics card has me nervous. I understand this voids the warranty, yada yada yada...

Anyway,

Is it really 'pretty' easy?
Is their a better cooling solution?
Arctic Silver 5, and goof off to remove the old glue?
What's the best software temperature gauge for a graphics card?

-jelifah

Current system:
Antec Sonata
AMD 3200+ (With Stock Heatsink)
Gigabyte GA-K8NS Ultra 939
1 x 512 MB Mushking RAM (Upgrading to 2nd stick after X-mas)
BFG 6800OC
NED ND-3500A
80GB Seagate drive

 

[CraigRT]

There is currently no better cooling solution for 6800 series cards than this thing. I am going to pick one up today, will let you know how it goes on my eVGA 6800GT.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: CraigRT
There is currently no better cooling solution for 6800 series cards than this thing. I am going to pick one up today, will let you know how it goes on my eVGA 6800GT.

I am also curious about this. I really want to install one but playing with a $400 graphics card kinda plays with the nerves. Also, do you know the best setup for getting that warm air out of the case? Should I remove the next PCI slot covering down from the card so that the exhaust from the silencer esapces through there?

-spike

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

Originally posted by: Spike

Originally posted by: CraigRT
There is currently no better cooling solution for 6800 series cards than this thing. I am going to pick one up today, will let you know how it goes on my eVGA 6800GT.

I am also curious about this. I really want to install one but playing with a $400 graphics card kinda plays with the nerves. Also, do you know the best setup for getting that warm air out of the case? Should I remove the next PCI slot covering down from the card so that the exhaust from the silencer esapces through there?

-spike

I am also thinking about getting one of those but am worriedabout breaking sucj an expensive card.
I seems like you should remove the slot covering on the next PCI so that way the air can get out

 

[akira34]

Originally posted by: jelifah
After some investigative work, the tweaker in me wants to replace my BFG 6800 OC fans with the NV5 silencer.

Info on the ease of swapping the fan

I've built several computers in the past, but messing with the Graphics card has me nervous. I understand this voids the warranty, yada yada yada...

Anyway,

Is it really 'pretty' easy?

Yes... The most difficult part will be removing your stock cooler.

Is their a better cooling solution?

Not that I'm aware of. Some people like the Zalman unit, but if you're going to use that one, you must use the add-on (and costing extra) fan.

Arctic Silver 5, and goof off to remove the old glue?

Use the stuff that comes with the cooler. You shouldn't need 'goof off' to remove the old compound, most likely a lint free rag or paper towel is all you'll need. That's what I used on my 6800GT and it came off very easily.

What's the best software temperature gauge for a graphics card?

The control panel for your card has a temperature display in it. That will give you GPU and case/ambient temp readings. I'd use those before trying out other software.

 

[beatle]

It's a piece of cake. There are 4 screws on the back of the 6800OC. These release the heatsink from the card. There is a bit of thick frag tape that the stock cooler uses to mate the heatsink and the ram. This should come off attached to the stock heatsink.

I used isopropyl alcohol to remove the stock grease, and put a large blob of Ceramique on each of the ram chips (as instructed by the NV Silencer instructions). I don't really care if it runs over since Ceramique is non-conductive and easy to clean. 😀 You can use the grease that comes with the Silencer, but I felt more comfortable with Ceramique.

BEFORE putting the NV Silencer on the card, plug in the fan. I found that the fan plug was slightly obscured by the plastic duct. Place the heatsink's studs through the corresponding holes in the card and install the rubber washers on the back side of the card over the studs. Then use the included screws to attach the heatsink to the card. The PCI slot cover next to the AGP slot will be removed and replaced with a vented cover that comes with the NV Silencer.

My temps dropped considerably (load temps on the Silencer are what idle temps on the stock cooler were), but I still only get 360 on my core. 🙁 Memory hits 860, however. 🙂

 

[jelifah]

Installed the NV5 Silencer 30 minutes ago. Absolutely WOW on two fronts

I'd noticed that after unlocking my pipes via RivaTuner I had two occassions where my temps SPIKED to 70 and 78 on the core. Considering this happened two days ago I figured it would be resolved when I put the NV5 Silencer on


First WOW, when I took the BFG 6800 OC out of the case I noticed that one of the two fans had broken in half!! I was like uh, wtf? I'm not to concerned about it because...

Second WOW, after installation of the NV5 Silencer, which is way QUIETER, my temps dropped drastically.

Old
Idle
54-56 on the core
38-40 ambient.

3dMark [Ignoring the broken fan readings]
58-61 on the core
40-44 ambient

After first bootup
Idle
40-45 onn the core
30-33 ambient

as for general use, well that's to be determined!

Thanks for the help, and vote of confidence.

- Jelifah