Buzzing noise coming from fan on 7900GT

[igowerf]

I just set up a new system and I noticed that the fan on my Giga-byte 7900GT makes a buzzing noise when I'm playing games. I'm sure it's the fan because I've slowed it down with my finger and the buzzing goes away. Could the fan be dying already? GPU temps are still pretty good right now (47 idle and 61 load). I've emailed Giga-byte but they still haven't gotten back to me.

 

[mordantmonkey]

i've noticed the same thing when i power on, with my eVGA 7900gt. It only lasts through the boot though. Is the 7900gt fan speed, temp controlled?

 

[igowerf]

Originally posted by: mordantmonkey
i've noticed the same thing when i power on, with my eVGA 7900gt. It only lasts through the boot though. Is the 7900gt fan speed, temp controlled?

I'm pretty sure that it is. I also noticed the buzzing during bootup, so I figured it must only happen when the fan is spinning at its max speed.

Anyone know of any quieter 3rd party coolers that I can install? The arctic-cooling website says that they will have a passive cooler for the 7900GT in June.

 

[Continuity28]

I prefer Zalman over the others right now... Either find a brand new VF900-Cu around somewhere, or go for the still great VF700-Cu.

I installed the VF700-Cu on my 7900GT and now it runs 35-38C idle and 45-50C load, not to mention its MUCH quieter.

 

[dman918]

Do you use the vf700's heatspreaders as well, or just the fan? I am waiting to get mine from the step-up, and was wondering if I need to reapply the heatsinks or not.
I'll probably need to pick up some arctic silver for the fan though...

 

[igowerf]

Originally posted by: Continuity28
I prefer Zalman over the others right now... Either find a brand new VF900-Cu around somewhere, or go for the still great VF700-Cu.

I installed the VF700-Cu on my 7900GT and now it runs 35-38C idle and 45-50C load, not to mention its MUCH quieter.

Do you know if either of those Zalman coolers extend over an extra slot? I might look into getting one. This stock cooler works well, but it's definitely the loudest component in my system.

 

[Megatomic]

The VF700 definitely does cover the next closest slot. I have one on my 7900GT also. It's totally worth the cost and the lost slot.

 

[aiya24]

theres the zalmna vf100 if your dont want to lose your slot.

http://www.matbe.com/cebit/zoom2k6.php?img=000000032919.jpg

http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2006/0315/cebit11_21.jpg

Edit:
Size: 114.2 mm (L) * 84 mm (W) * 14mm (H)

Noise: 18.5 dB

 

[igowerf]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
The VF700 definitely does cover the next closest slot. I have one on my 7900GT also. It's totally worth the cost and the lost slot.

Ok. You guys convinced me. I just ordered a VF700 from Amazon for $32 shipped with one day shipping. I'll have it for my weekend Oblivion session.

 

[Continuity28]

Originally posted by: dman918
Do you use the vf700's heatspreaders as well, or just the fan? I am waiting to get mine from the step-up, and was wondering if I need to reapply the heatsinks or not.
I'll probably need to pick up some arctic silver for the fan though...

Yes, I do use the ramsinks, and I recommend that for others as well. I've heard from some people that they've had graphical memory corruption because their memory was too hot... the stock cooler has no ramsinks, it only relies on the small fan blowing over them. Honestly, I feel these companies may have skimped on the 7900GT stock cooler, and perhaps they should have come with a better way to cool the ram.

Keep in mind, many cards are factory overclocked, and some people want to push the memory on their own... I'm sure it's much better to do so with ramsinks. Another plus for the VF900/VF700 IMO.

 

[dman918]

Thanks for the reply, Continuity28. How would you reapply those? Would you get some arctic silver adhesive or some new thermal tape? Or will it restick with the tape already on there?
Thanks!

 

[Continuity28]

Originally posted by: dman918
Thanks for the reply, Continuity28. How would you reapply those? Would you get some arctic silver adhesive or some new thermal tape? Or will it restick with the tape already on there?
Thanks!

Reapply what? I'm not sure what you're asking.

The 7900GT stock cooler has no ramsinks, only a GPU cooler that's screwed to the PCB. The VF700-Cu has stick-on ram sinks that you use only once. The GPU cooler screws onto the PCB like the stock cooler.

 

[dman918]

Ah, sorry. I had the VF700 on my previous card. Therefore, I wanted to know if I should reuse the heatsinks that come with the VF700. I figure I should be able to, but I would need to:
1. Try to have them restick with the adhesive tape already on there
2. Take off the old tape and put new adhesive tape on
3. Take off the old tape and apply something like Arctic Silver Adhesive.
That is why I am wondering if it is worth putting those heatsinks on or not.

 

[dman918]

Quick bump for any more info...

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: dman918
Ah, sorry. I had the VF700 on my previous card. Therefore, I wanted to know if I should reuse the heatsinks that come with the VF700. I figure I should be able to, but I would need to:
1. Try to have them restick with the adhesive tape already on there
2. Take off the old tape and put new adhesive tape on
3. Take off the old tape and apply something like Arctic Silver Adhesive.
That is why I am wondering if it is worth putting those heatsinks on or not.

Your best bet is to just buy some new ramsinks. You can get some new from a guy in FS/FT. I think he's selling sets of Cooler Master sinks. I can't remember the seller's name though.

You could, if you had some new thermal adhesive tape, reuse the old sinks. But I'd not use arctic silver adhesive, you'll never get them off the card if you do that.

 

[Synomenon]

When is that Zalman VF100 being released? I'd really like to put one on my eVGA 7900GT CO Superclocked. I'm using a Shuttle G5 XPC and the VF100 looks like it's the only Zalman VGA heatsink that will fit.