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Modding a Radeon 8500 for passive cooling

Spike

Spike

Diamond Member
I have a old Radeon 8500 that will be going into my HTPC. This HTPC's primary use will be MP3, DVD, and Divx playing, no TV tuning or recording as I don't really ever watch TV. I plan to get a micro-atx case and set this up in the living room. I would like it to be as quiet as possible and was wondering if it is possible to mod a 8500 for passive cooling.

I would think so as much faster cards can be cooled passivly but I don't know what to use. For reference, the case I am going to use is this.

Any ideas?

-spike

EDIT** Just realized this might be better in the case and cooling forum but as it was about a vid card my first thought was video. Should I move this?
 
I've done it with my 8500le, so it should work with yours assuming good case airflow. If you are not gaming, I'd suggest underclocking to reduce heat. Always a good idea for HTPC anyhow.

I used a large very open aluminum HS from Ebay, but anything big should work. My solution is big enough to block the PCI slot though. If you are jamming a PCI card right up against it, you could have problems.
 
If I remember correctly, those cards ran somewhat hot....that's the first video card I ever saw with a fan.

I have an 8500 AIW with that small fan. I ran it for a long time with the fan just disconnected. I had an internal 80mm fan blowing at it from about 5" away. Never saw any problems....still works I guess.

In that particular case, I'm not sure how hot it will run. I'd probably just buy a Radeon 7000......it's passively cooled. (about $35 here and there)
 
I've had one of these on my 8500LE for a few years and have had no problems. However, if you have a standard 8500, they are clocked a bit higher so you might need something a bit beefier unless you underclock it as mrzed suggested.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I may try and underclock it and then use a standard passive heat sink. anyone know if those big (and probably expensive) zalman passive coolers would fit one of these cards?

I may just say screw it and buy a passive card with tv-out, but for now all my money is going towards my new build.

-spike
 
I disconnected the fan on my 8500LE after it failed and ran the card for months like that with no trouble. It was a Gigabyte version with a pretty hefty heatsink though.
 
remove the current fan and install one of these just underneath the card. this should work just fine for that card, its got 3 adjustable speeds as well.

Link is here
 
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