Buying a 6600GT AGP card, questions about cooling

[Varun]

I'm going to pick up an eVGA 6600GT. I've heard that the fans are a bit loud on these cards, and I have a quiet computer and don't want a whining fan. The Gigabyte fanless solution interests me, however I have heard they run pretty hot, plus ncix is out of stock on them.

I can price match the eVGA card at ncix to $215CAN, and the Gigabyte fanless is $250CAN, but once again not in stock.

Right now I have the Zalman ZM80A-HP installed on my Ti4200, and it is great. I'd like to get the Zalman ZM80D-HP for the eVGA card, but I am wondering about overheating and compatibility.

Also, I was looking at the Zalman VF700-AlCu as an actively cooled solution that is still quiet, however I have read that AGP 6600GTs can be a problem for that HSF combo.

System summary
XP-M 2500+ @ 2.2GHz
Abit NF7-S
Antec Sonata with 2 120mm fans, 380w PS.

Any advice would be great.

 

[Varun]

bump. No one ever changed the stock HSF on a 6600GT AGP?

 

[Varun]

Well I can't find any information on this so I decided to play it safe and get the Gigabyte passive one. I'm going to guess that the Zalman passive won't fit on the AGP version of the 6600GT due to the different mounting of the core.

 

[cubby1223]

You're only option right now is the Zalman VF700, and just make sure you've got the clearance in your case, the VF700 heatsink will extend about an inch to an inch & 1/4 above the top of the card on the 6600GTs.

 

[Varun]

I ordered the Gigabyte passive 6600GT AGP card. My Sonata case has a 120mm fan that blows right on the AGP slot so I'm sure the temps will be ok, plus I don't void my warranty.