Radeon 9500np overheating problem, need help with cooling solutions

[sdaccord01]

Okay, I've been through this before, so I first got an ATI Radeon 9500 np card and softmodded it with the newest Omega drivers (Cat 3.6 based). When I play Counterstrike sometimes my computer all of the sudden reboots and it happens sometimes when I run 3dmark. So I thought that there was a problem when I run something that is graphic intensive, I never had any problems web browsing or doing basic stuff. So I first thought that my problem was that I didn't have a good enough power supply. I upgraded from an Antec SmartBlue 350W PS to a TruePower 550W PS. So, I tried playing Counterstrike again and running 3dmark and I'm still getting those random reboots. Then I thought that maybe my card isn't getting proper cooling? So I bought a slot fan, and the slot fan just happened to not fit in the pci slot between my radeon 9500 and my asus tv tuner, and the problem was with those big capacitors on the radeon card that were pretty much blocking my way to use the slot fan so i had to use another cooling option. Found a Vantec iCEBERQ 4 that looks very appealing, and it seems to help my cooling somewhat now, came with 4 memory heatsinks too! So now, I play CS and 3dmark and the difference now is that I can play longer and run 3dmark all the way sometimes. Then I thought of what my friend did, and that was just opening one side of the case, and well what do ya know, my problem is gone! I had problems when I didn't even OC it and now I OC the radeon 9500 to 9700 pro levels (325/310) and still it runs stable. Is there any way possible that I can get a really good cooling solution for my radeon? I love the card, I just can't stand this overheating that it's been having. When I overclocked to 9700 pro levels, I had no artifacts whatsoever, it's just that my card runs real hot and I need the best cooling for it, please give me some options so I don't have to open my case up everytime I want to run games or 3dmark. Thanks in advance.

 

[ethebubbeth]

sounds like you might want to improve airflow throughout your case first. If you take off the side panel and your cooling improves significantly, then your case isn't optimally configures. Try routing cables away from the path that air take through your case and maybe consider changing your fans. If you already have optimized your airflow, you could consider getting a fan bracket like the zalman FB123 and slap a 90mm or 120mm fan on it. If that still isn't enough you could replace your iceberg 4 with a zm80a-hp but that is prolly a little overkill. Good luck, i hope i've been helpful.

 

[zephyrprime]

Thw capacitors on the 9500 aren't big. Just get a different slot fan.