get a new heatsink or vid card

[Paintedeyes]

I've had my video card for about 2 years, a 7800gt. the fan on the heatsink makes a nasty grinding noise. the card's temperature seems to be fine. i'm not sure if it's worth getting a new heatsink and fan for my vid card or to just get a new one.

 

[Cogman]

Depends on your budget, with that card, for me, a new heatsink would do just fine. However, you cant go wrong if you get an 8800gt or 9600gt

 

[Paintedeyes]

hmm ya, i was looking at some nice heatsinks that were like 30 or so dollars, the only game i'd be playing really is Vanguard. sorta sad that my laptop has a better vid card. hmmm

 

[Cogman]

Originally posted by: Paintedeyes
hmm ya, i was looking at some nice heatsinks that were like 30 or so dollars, the only game i'd be playing really is Vanguard. sorta sad that my laptop has a better vid card. hmmm

I guess the problem that you will run into is that to get a sizable performance increase you are looking at spending AT LEAST $150 anything under that will yield a fairly low performance increase to non at all.

That being said, your video card might be good enough for the next couple of years. Personally I would slap a $15 cooler on the cooler and wait for a bit. (probably for the 9xxx series to come down in price a bit)

 

[dino26]

Well if you have the money of course it would be nice to get a new vid card but it doesnt sound like you have to. I usually have extra fans lying around so if it were me i would just replace the fan on the heatsink you got...not sure what hsf type it has now. If you have the space then just slap any fan that fits over the heatsink on it and you can even use zip ties if you cant use screws to mount it.

 

[AzN]

you can always do a hack job if you have a old cpu heatsink laying around. It would cost you nothing if you can get creative.