Is this a safe way to cool an ATI 9700 Pro?

[mshan]

I just purchased an ATI Radeon 9700 Pro.

I am not really a gamer, but got it for compatability with ny ATI HDTV Wonder ("built by, rather than power by, ati") and have my computer for configured as a quiet / silent audio/video center rather than a gaming demon.

Would it be safe to unplug the fan on the 9700 pro, then just use a Panaflo 80 mm L1A on a Zalman fan bracket 123 to blow air slowly across the heat sink?

The Panaflo is rated for ~ 24 cfm @ 12V and I would like to run it at a silent 5V or 7V max.

 

[Matthias99]

Probably not in 3D mode (in 2D mode it might be OK...); however, maybe you should look at the Zalman silent heatpipe coolers? Or get a RADEON 9600 (just a heatsink at stock, no fans at all) if you don't care about gaming performance?

 

[sellmen]

Originally posted by: Matthias99
Probably not in 3D mode (in 2D mode it might be OK...); however, maybe you should look at the Zalman silent heatpipe coolers? Or get a RADEON 9600 (just a heatsink at stock, no fans at all) if you don't care about gaming performance?

I have to agree.

A panaflo at 5V or 7V does not push very much air. The 9700 PRO runs fairly hot, and would probably overheat when you play games.

Buy one of these, put it on your card and you are set. The Zalman cooler is rated at 18 dB at the lowest fan setting, pretty much inaudible.

The Arctic VGA silencer is another option, also very quiet on the low fan settting.

 

[Fenuxx]

Just unplugging the fan on the heatsink will probably fry your card. Get the Zalman or the Silencer, but whatever you do, DO NOT JUST UNPLUG THE FAN!!!. Even if you have that Panaflo fan blowing air across it, even at the 12V setting, it probably won't be enough. On top of that, you want to decrease the speed, which will only worsen the problem. Just get the Zalman or the Silencer, you'll be well off with that.

 

[mshan]

Thanks guys!

I remember reading somewhere that the 9700 Pro needs some sort of shim to use the Artic Cooling VGA Silencer rev. 3.

True?

 

[sellmen]

Originally posted by: mshan
Thanks guys!

I remember reading somewhere that the 9700 Pro needs some sort of shim to use the Artic Cooling VGA Silencer rev. 3.

True?

I don't believe that is true...it should fit without a shim.