Do I really need to replace the fan on my 9800 Pro?

[jakobkraft]

I got this card about a week ago, am loving it so far but have read a few people talk about how hot it runs. I have no intention of overclocking it and have not experienced any weirdness at all (having played on two occasions for about 8 hours straight). Mine is the built by ATI version, btw.
I've never replaced a fan on a vid. card before and although I'm sure it's not rocket science, I'd like to avoid it, if possible...
any thoughts?

 

[Brian48]

Yes. Replace the fan. Either by RMA'ing back to ATI or mounting an aftermarket unit on it. The 9800Pro is too hot of a card to leave without some sort of active cooling, especially since the heatsink itself is so relatively small.

 

[Megatomic]

An Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer is quite quiet compared to the stock cooling, plus it exhausts heat from inside the case thus lowering ambient temps in your box. Those are two big bonuses you'd gain right there. And it is very easy to install that cooler. I say go for it.

 

[cw42]

no, don't replace it. the only reasons u would need to replace it is to 1) Overclock, or 2) quieter fan. I also remind you that you void your warranty by removing the stock fan. If you're not having any problems with overheating/artifacting, leave your card alone.

 

[Brian48]

Originally posted by: Brian48
Yes. Replace the fan. Either by RMA'ing back to ATI or mounting an aftermarket unit on it. The 9800Pro is too hot of a card to leave without some sort of active cooling, especially since the heatsink itself is so relatively small.

Ah. I misread your post. I was under the impression that your fan had actually stopped and that it only had passive cooling for the moment. If the existing unit is operating fine, then leave everything alone. The factory unit is perfectly adequate for normal use.

 

[jakobkraft]

Originally posted by: Brian48

Originally posted by: Brian48
Yes. Replace the fan. Either by RMA'ing back to ATI or mounting an aftermarket unit on it. The 9800Pro is too hot of a card to leave without some sort of active cooling, especially since the heatsink itself is so relatively small.

Ah. I misread your post. I was under the impression that your fan had actually stopped and that it only had passive cooling for the moment. If the existing unit is operating fine, then leave everything alone. The factory unit is perfectly adequate for normal use.

No problem, I should have been more clear. My fan is actually extremely quiet (though working, I've checked) so I really have no complaints at all - I was just worried by some of the things I'd read...
thanks

 

[CraigRT]

I have a 9800 Pro, and have had for some time now, with stock cooling... it's fine.

 

[Megatomic]

I think I'd install the VGA Silencer even if I wasn't an overclocker. And I don't really even consider myself to be a risktaker. Why are you all so reluctant to alter the cooling? Is it just the warranty? Yes it voids the warranty but that was no deterrent for me.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
I think I'd install the VGA Silencer even if I wasn't an overclocker. And I don't really even consider myself to be a risktaker. Why are you all so reluctant to alter the cooling? Is it just the warranty? Yes it voids the warranty but that was no deterrent for me.

Yeah, My BBA 9800pro came with a three yr waranty - why void it?

Plus, I keep reading about peeps screwing up, or having difficulty with the installation of these fans. For me, the question is -why pay extra for another HSF, go to the trouble to install it, void my warranty all to ensure the card cools properly? Huh, if the card doesn't cool properly, I get a new free one cuz I've got a warranty.

If you wanna do some extreme OCing, yeah, get the aftermarket HSF

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: cw42
no, don't replace it. the only reasons u would need to replace it is to 1) Overclock, or 2) quieter fan. I also remind you that you void your warranty by removing the stock fan. If you're not having any problems with overheating/artifacting, leave your card alone.

 

[MDE]

If you absolutely HAVE to have a VGA Silencer and a warranty, get one of the HIS cards with VGA Silencers as stock cooling.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
I think I'd install the VGA Silencer even if I wasn't an overclocker. And I don't really even consider myself to be a risktaker. Why are you all so reluctant to alter the cooling? Is it just the warranty? Yes it voids the warranty but that was no deterrent for me.

yeah, cause it voids the warranty.

If you do NOT o/c, ATI guarantees it will last 3 years . . . IF you replace the fan and there is a hidden manufacturing defect and the card dies, you are SOL.

IF i didn't flash my 9800p 256/256 > XT it would still be running the stock cooling . . .

 

[Megatomic]

I bought my card used from the forum so I guess it (the warranty) didn't apply to me. Even if it did I guess it wouldn't have mattered much. I was dead set on it.

But you guys are right. He is satisfied with the sound levels and performance of the stock cooler so there is no reason for him to upgrade it.