Diff b/t these two Zalman GPU coolers?

[MichaelD]

ZM80C-HP

and the

ZM80A-HP

Besides the $2 price diff, what's the deal? The 80C seems to readily take on the optional fan while the 80A does not. Is that it?

That fan makes me nervous though; it's a slim, proprietary-looking design...should it fail, it'd be bitch buying a new one!

 

[Nebor]

I like how all the zalman diagrams assume you're using all zalma's available products... which I am.

 

[bluntman]

The 80C seems to readily take on the optional fan while the 80A does not. Is that it?

That's pretty much it (the small channel along the edge of one of the heatsinks), that, and the colour, the "C" is matte grey colour.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: bluntman

The 80C seems to readily take on the optional fan while the 80A does not. Is that it?

That's pretty much it (the small channel along the edge of one of the heatsinks), that, and the colour, the "C" is matte grey colour.

Thanks, Bluntman. I did some more checking; the C is slightly lighter than the A...about 325g vs. 400g. The dissipating area is slightly smaller too. 1300C2 vs. 1200C2.

I am really undecided if it's worth it or not. I know it works; but does it work "$45-worth?" I have read that the ATI stock fan is quieter than the NVidia stock fans. I"ve never had an ATI card before. Is this true?

 

[WobbleWobble]

You don't have to have a fan anyways... so why would you worry about it failing?

I have the "A" version and it's somewhat tricky to install.

 

[Nebor]

I would say it was a pain to install. Took me about an hour. Bleh.