eVGA Step-Up Program, Aftermarket Cooling,

[samusaraniv]

Hi everyone, I'm new here.

First question:
I recently bought two of these and added Zalman VF700s to each one. I didn't know that the 7900 series was right around the corner at the time of purchase, and would now like to use eVGA's step-up program to upgrade to 7900GTs. By adding aftermarket cooling, have I voided my warranty and option to participate in this program, or can I simply remove the VF700s and replace them with the stock material? I heard somewhere that reverting from aftermarket cooling back to stock will allow you to take part in the program, maybe I'm wrong..

Second question:
I use the new AN8 32X motherboard that just came out. If you look at this picture you can see that the PCI-E ports are quite close to eachother. When I run my two cards in SLI (overclocked from 470/1100 to 488/1175) playing Chaos Theory at 1024x768 SM3.0, I've seen GPU1/2 get to temps of 76 (!!) degrees celcius. Is this at all normal?! Seems a bit high, to me. I've tested one card alone at the same speeds and temps are about 40/58 -- far lower. I use Arctic Silver 5 (applied correctly) on the GPU and use the ramsinks that came with the VF700s (running at full speed). Could the SLI temps be so high because of the fact that the cards are so close together? This seems logical to me because my idle/load temps are much lower with only one card installed.

Final question:
Have you guys seen/had any experience with the recently released (I believe?) VF900? Is it worth upgrading from the 700? It seems from Zalman's website that at full-speed, it's 3dB quieter than the 700. If the 700 is compatible with the 7900GT (it looks like it could be), would it be worth an upgrade?

Thanks for your input, guys! I truly appreciate it.

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: samusaraniv
Hi everyone, I'm new here.

First question:
I recently bought two of these and added Zalman VF700s to each one. I didn't know that the 7900 series was right around the corner at the time of purchase, and would now like to use eVGA's step-up program to upgrade to 7900GTs. By adding aftermarket cooling, have I voided my warranty and option to participate in this program, or can I simply remove the VF700s and replace them with the stock material? I heard somewhere that reverting from aftermarket cooling back to stock will allow you to take part in the program, maybe I'm wrong..

Second question:
I use the new AN8 32X motherboard that just came out. If you look at this picture you can see that the PCI-E ports are quite close to eachother. When I run my two cards in SLI (overclocked from 470/1100 to 488/1175) playing Chaos Theory at 1024x768 SM3.0, I've seen GPU1/2 get to temps of 76 (!!) degrees celcius. Is this at all normal?! Seems a bit high, to me. I've tested one card alone at the same speeds and temps are about 40/58 -- far lower. I use Arctic Silver 5 (applied correctly) on the GPU and use the ramsinks that came with the VF700s (running at full speed). Could the SLI temps be so high because of the fact that the cards are so close together? This seems logical to me because my idle/load temps are much lower with only one card installed.

Final question:
Have you guys seen/had any experience with the recently released (I believe?) VF900? Is it worth upgrading from the 700? It seems from Zalman's website that at full-speed, it's 3dB quieter than the 700. If the 700 is compatible with the 7900GT (it looks like it could be), would it be worth an upgrade?

Thanks for your input, guys! I truly appreciate it.

Yes your warrenty is still good, just remember to put back the stock cooling before sending it back for step up.

Yes 76C is normal.

And I'm not sure the vf900 is released yet.

 

[supastar1568]

id put the stock coolers back on and pretend it never happened

 

[Bobthelost]

The 900 seems to use the same fan as the 700, but running at a lower maximum speed. I wouldn't bother upgrading the heatsinks myself as the die shrink means that the GPU will be running cooler anyway (look at the anandtech review).

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: supastar1568
id put the stock coolers back on and pretend it never happened

But it is covered by warrenty.

If you look at the step up FAQ (which I read the whole dam thing)

Step up FAQ

Q: What is an eligible card?
A: For a card to be eligible for the step up program it must meet the following requirements;

* It must be an EVGA graphics card. Cards from other manufactures will not be accepted.
* You must have purchased the card, and be the original owner of the card. Cards obtained as prizes, through EVGA recertification program, cards purchased used and cards originally issued as review units, etc. are not eligible.
* Card must be in working order and free of cosmetic and physical defects.
* Card must be registered with EVGA. The registration information (name, address, phone, etc) must match the original invoice.
* Card must have been purchased with in the 90 days preceding your request for step up.
* Card must be returned with all original materials and packaging, failure to do so will result in a 15% restocking fee.
* Please make sure that the card is professionally packed and secured before shipping back to EVGA
* Cards obtained as part of a complete system from a non approved system vendor are not eligible.
* Only certain system integrators are currently eligible for the Step-Up? Program. See item 7 below.
* For customers who receive their card as part of a complete computer system, only the card and any associated cables will be required.
* This Step-Up? Program is not valid with any other offers, promotions, etc.

 

[samusaraniv]

Awesome, this info is definitely comforting. Thanks for the lightning-quick responses, guys!

Couple other questions I thought of..

One of the cards had a 20$ rebate when I bought it. I've already sent in the UPC and whatnot for this rebate. Since the packaging was modified (since the UPC is removed), will I still meet the original packaging requirement for this card? I sure hope so..

Also, do you guys think the VF700 will work with the 7900GT? Looking at the back of the eVGA 7800GT I have and the eVGA 7900GT I'm going to upgrade to, the mounting holes look to be about the same distance apart. I noticed that the stock 7900GT doesn't come with a heatsink on the RAM chips -- would it be worthwhile to put some on them in addition to the air blowing over them from the VF700 fan (provided the 7900GT and VF700 are compatible)?

EDIT: I know you can't reuse the thermal pads on the ramsinks that come with the VF700. I planned on buying OCZ copper ones if they would help to reduce temps.

 

[Bobthelost]

I think they should work, stick the RAM heatsinks on, it certainly won't hurt performance and it might get you another 10Mhz or so.

Edit: the AC Silencer rev 5 fits on the 7900GT so yours should do too.

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: samusaraniv
Awesome, this info is definitely comforting. Thanks for the lightning-quick responses, guys!

Couple other questions I thought of..

One of the cards had a 20$ rebate when I bought it. I've already sent in the UPC and whatnot for this rebate. Since the packaging was modified (since the UPC is removed), will I still meet the original packaging requirement for this card? I sure hope so..

Also, do you guys think the VF700 will work with the 7900GT? Looking at the back of the eVGA 7800GT I have and the eVGA 7900GT I'm going to upgrade to, the mounting holes look to be about the same distance apart. I noticed that the stock 7900GT doesn't come with a heatsink on the RAM chips -- would it be worthwhile to put some on them in addition to the air blowing over them from the VF700 fan (provided the 7900GT and VF700 are compatible)?

EDIT: I know you can't reuse the thermal pads on the ramsinks that come with the VF700. I planned on buying OCZ copper ones if they would help to reduce temps.

The OCZ ones won't stick unless you use some adhesive.

 

[samusaraniv]

Will AS5 work or you mean I'll need better thermal pads?

 

[moonboy403]

thermal tape

 

[samusaraniv]

Sorry if I sound like an idjit, but can you link me to some good tape?

Also, where can I get the newest beta Forceware drivers?

 

[moonboy403]

for thermal tape...any reputable etailers such as newegg have it

as for drivers, go to guru3d.com

 

[TheRyuu]

For Drivers I recommend the Xtream-G ones from http://www.tweaksrus.com/

The Ram sinks all come with thermal tape, just that the Copper ones are so heavy I find them falling off my GPU. I think the ones that come with the vf700/900 should be fine for your use. After all, STOCK it comes with NO ram sinks.

 

[samusaraniv]

Searching for "thermal tape" at Newegg turns up nothing. Would Arctic Cooling Ceramique work? What would you recommend?

EDIT: I have had no problems with the ramsinks from Zalman falling off, so maybe the thermal tape used on the OCZ sinks is lower quality? I'm not going to buy 2 new VF700s, just new ramsinks, and I doubt I can reuse the ones that are currently on my 7800GTs. So what thermal tape should i get to replace the stuff on the OCZ sinks?

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: samusaraniv
Searching for "thermal tape" at Newegg turns up nothing. Would Arctic Cooling Ceramique work? What would you recommend?

If you ARE getting the OCZ Copper RAM sinks, then get some Artic Alumina Adhesive. The wont be coming off after that, probably NEVER after that.

I'm suggesting the alumina since it's non-conductive and won't be a problem with the ram, although some people use Artic Silver on the ram.

 

[moonboy403]

lol....sorry for the misleading website

but To make it up, here ya go!

 

[samusaraniv]

OK, so it's down to that tape or the Alumina (Ceramique, I believe?) adhesive. Which one?

Should I reuse the ALUMINUM heatsinks that came with the Zalman VF700s I have, or invest in new copper ones from OCZ? I am not an EXTREME overclocker, but would like to get the most out of my video cards without stressing them too much. If copper would be substantially better, so be it.

 

[moonboy403]

aluminum and copper doesn't really differ that much (although copper > alum)

just stick with what zalman gave you, i had trouble with the ram sinks staying onto my gt
so i guess getting some thermal tape would be a good idea

i'd recommend getting thermal tape because once you put on alumina, you're forever stuck with it
that means you're screwed on your warranty even one that's as good as evga