GPU TEC

[Svenn]

Okay, anyone know of a simple retail GPU air-cooled TEC cooler? I had a Swiftech MCW50-T but I've gotten rid of my water in exchange for a more compact and portable case. I'm not looking to volt mod the card or for any super overclocks, just to keep it nice and cool for stability. I want it on a 9800XT btw. Are there any coolers similar to the MCW50-T except air instead of water?

 

[Concillian]

Umm, you want to use a TEC on a 9800XT?

So you'd rather spend ~$200 on a TEC, the gigantic power supply you'll need for it, and the cooler than sell your card for ~$200 and add $200 to that and get an x800pro or 6800GT that will be faster stock than any overclocked 9800XT?

I'm failing to see the logic in your decision to look at TECs.

 

[Svenn]

I'm waiting til Christmas to get an x800XT because I'm limited on cash. Plus, I'll be able to use the TEC on the x800XT as well. I've got a PC Power and Cooling 510 Deluxe PSU with almost nothing on it, so I know it can handle a small 80W TEC at least. Like I said, I had a MCW50-T with my water setup and it worked well but I got rid of the water in exchange for a smaller case. So I'm just looking for some decent cooling I can keep around for my GPUs now and in the future.

Btw I have no job and I have about $60-70 to my name... so a TEC I could afford but $200+ for another video card I couldn't do right now. As soon as christmas rolls around and I get some cash, I'm hoping to be able to pick up an x800XT if I can find one.

 

[Svenn]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the 9800XT has been overheating because of the crappy airflow in my case so one of the reasons I'm looking for better cooling is to stop it from locking up. I'd rather get a TEC than more air...

 

[Concillian]

I've done TECs, and they're a LOT more trouble than they're worth, especially if you're short on cash. I also question whether an 80W TEC is really enough for a 9800XT.

If the airflow in your case is the problem, why not fix that for $10 than get a TEC. A TEC will add an EXTRA 60-100+ watts of heat to the inside of your case. if you don't have good airflow inside your case your TEC will be hurting more than it helps. Plus all the insulation you need in case of condensation. huge pain.

Here:
10 case fans for $10, free shipping:
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=35-150-007&depa=0

if you still need more add this on top:
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=35-186-115&depa=0

In my opinion a way better option than using a TEC. Especially if you're short on cash.

 

[Svenn]

I have several 80mm case fans and a 120mm blowing out the back. The problem is the case is so small that the front fans blow the heat from my hard drives right on to the video card.

My cpu is fine because it's running on a Prometeia. I've done TEC before so I know all about it. If I put a TEC on the video card, it wouldn't matter if it adds extra heat into the case since it wouldn't affect the CPU or GPU and there's not much else in there.

An 80W TEC is plenty. The MCW50-T is an 80W TEC being water cooled. It was super cool, enough that I did get condensation and had to seal it up better, heh. Anyway, I don't mind the extra insulation, I'd still be running water/TEC if I didn't mind the extra large case. I'm just looking for an easier way to run the TEC for some decent temps now with the smaller case.

 

[Concillian]

Sorry for the lecture then, it's just often you see people wanting to go extreme cooling that just aren't ready for it.

In your case if you have insulation and a TEC, all you need is a heatsink a drill and some screws.
Do like they did here:
http://www.nexushardware.com/articles/index.php?id=16
and just sandwich the TEC in there with a cold plate. I'd personally use a better heatsink than what they used for a TEC, copper base at least.

You can probably find a suitable HS from newegg.

There really isn't another option, as nothing that I know of is made with the extra space needed for the TEC and the cold plate.

 

[ApacheChief]

If the air is blowing right on your video card, why not just make a duct (or is vent the right word?) for it to go out a PCI slot?

 

[Svenn]

I was hoping for minimal work, hehe. I was hoping to find a pre-built air/TEC like the MCW50-T except air instead of water.

I moved the hard drives some so it's not as bad, but the case still gets kinda hot, and the video card still overheats. I'll look around some more.

 

[ApacheChief]

Modding is half the fun!

 

[Svenn]

Yeah, I used to be modding and overclocking all the time, but with school and girlfriend and stuff now I barely have time to even play games, let alone spend time modding. That's part of the reason I got rid of my water cooling.

 

[Svenn]

bump

 

[dmw16]

You're gonna need an effective way to cool the TEC too.

 

[Concillian]

That's what he's asking about, he has the TEC, he needs a heatsink... I didn't get it right away either.

A heatsink that will fit on the card and sandwich the TEC+coldplate against the core without too much tinkering/modification.
Personally, I think there is no such device on the market, but I could be wrong. I know they exist for CPUs, but I don't think they exist for video cards.

 

[imported_whatever]

i think it would make more sense to just buy one of the new vga silencers. they cool damn well, and exhaust the hot air out the back as well.

 

[Svenn]

I'm looking for a heatsink/fan and pelt combo for the GPU... Much like the MCW50-T except with a heatsink and fan instead of waterblock...

How well do the vga silencers work compared to stock? I may just do that.

 

[Concillian]

Well, the older and all aluminum Silencer 3 cooled my Radeon 9700 enough that I could overclock to ~375 MHz on the core without artifacts when with the stock heatsink I was having to stop at 345 MHz or I'd get artifacts. One would assume the new copper version is even better.