The Arctic Accelero R9 290X-Xtreme III

[Eymar]

So I was thinking about the Accelero. Read the Tom's recent article about it, and all seems fine and dandy except that the Accelero only has 12 of the 16 heatsinks... and the heatsink installation on the bottom-most memory chip seems like it could present a problem. .

From post 65 of the thread:
Link to pic showing r290 with all heatsinks included with Accelero III: http://i.imgur.com/Qb73sGv.jpg
Note: The top left 4 corner ram chips are using 4 of the slender heatsinks.
Forum post with image: http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1788658

 

[RagnarKon]

From post 65 of the thread:
Link to pic showing r290 with all heatsinks included with Accelero III: http://i.imgur.com/Qb73sGv.jpg
Note: The top left 4 corner ram chips are using 4 of the slender heatsinks.
Forum post with image: http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1788658

Oh I see, he shared four of the spare heatsinks in the kit with 4 of the ram chips. Simple yet effective solution--it never would have cross my mind to do that.

I noticed that he didn't have a problem with the bottom-most heatsink, yet the Tom's article specifically states that he had to use a slim heatsink to avoid the problem. So... now I'm confused.

 

[Eymar]

I did something similar to what Tom's review of the cooler did here: http://media.bestofmicro.com/accelero-xtreme-iii-radeon-r9-290-cooling,O-X-407841-22.jpg

On half of the ram chip closest to gpu I put the included thermal pad (it should make contact with metal bracket surrounding copper surface). Then I installed the cooler then applied the ram sink last.

 

[Z15CAM]

I posted this in the "Unigine Valley 1.0 Benchmark Thread ** Post your scores**" Thread but decided to post it here as well for easy reference.

----------------------

Card is a reference GIGABYTE GV-R929XD5-4GD-B Radeon R9 290X tested in Umber Mode using the AMD Catalyst™ 13.11 Beta 9.2 Dvr. QNIX QX2510 Display running in Native 2560x1440p and 60Hz. Changing the Display to a 1920 x 1080 Res did nothing but make the Bench look of lessor quality.

OEM STK Bench was 2551 @ 1000Mhz's.

My best Bench was 2746 at 1125Mhz's with out any artifacts. It will do over 2750 at 1150Mhz's but there are signs of artifacts.

The Card benched 1698 at 1125Mhz in the native 2560x1440 res of my QNIX QX2510 display with out artifacts.

Increasing the vRam frequency did little but add artifacts. I do not know if this card has Hynix or Alpeda Ram.

The Card is not all that noisy as reported and I've yet to see the Cards Temp go over 85C in these Benches.

I'm going to play with the reference cooler a bit longer before I mount an Arctic Accelero Xtreme III on it.

 

[Z15CAM]

For your info the Ref R9 290X at 1120Mhz scored 1446 in Unigine Heaven Benchmark 4.0 with same 1920x1080 settings used in the Valley Bench with no artifacts. That is 25% Power Boost - 12% GPU Clock and 0% on the Memory. This is where I presently set the OC'g for 24/7.

Sure hope they come out with a Voltage Tweak as it will surely wake the potential of this Card along with the Arctic Accelero Xtreme III cooler.

PS:

Crum! I just ran MemoryInfo 1005 found here: http://www.mediafire.com/download/voj4j1rlk0ucfz4/MemoryInfo+1005.rar and I have Elpdia Ram no wonder it will not OC. I hate when AMD advertizes Hynix Modules and we get cheap Elpdia from the likes of Gigabyte or ASUS ... etc.

Here's an excellent forum at www.overclock.net labeled "[Official] AMD R9 290X / 290 Owners Club: http://www.overclock.net/t/1436497/official-amd-r9-290x-290-owners-club

Well I broke 2750 score with a 1135Mhz GPU and 1320Mhz vRam Clock giving me a consistent Artifact Free 2757 Score with CCC\Performance\AMD Overdrive configured as Follows, from top to Bottom: 12% - 13.5% - 5.6% - 90C - 100%.

One thing I had to do was run the Bench through once to let the card settle into its environment before I got consistent Benches with out artifacts. The fan, rather loud, ran at a constant 77%, GPU never went over 89C and Max vRam Temp was 67C.

I'm impressed with Elpdia vRam on this Gigabyte Reference R9 290X. I'm looking forward to mounting the Arctic Accelero Xtreme III on this card and would like a Voltage Tweaker ;o)

I hear buyers of the Reference Sapphire R9 290X with the Elpdia vRam are having issues. Hope this latest Driver solves it.

 

[schmuckley]

This thread needs moar pics!

 

[Z15CAM]

Card is an AMD Reference GIGABYTE GV-R929XD5-4GD-B Radeon R9 290X.

Using MSI Afterburner 300b17 with +100mv after 1173-1500 I was seeing artifacts and clearly running out of voltage. Increasing the Elpdia Ram above above 1500 hurt the Bench but very solid at 1500Mhz

Seems to me, disregarding the Safe Zone, the Ref R9 290X could do with another 35mv's to make a solid 1200-1500 clock and possibly break a 3000 Score in Valley.

MSI Afterburner shames CCC AMD Overdrive OC'g software.

Guess I'm about done playing with the Reference Design Cooler and will be mounting the Arctic Accelero Xtreme III and see about obtaining another 35mv's.

1170 x 1500 Mhz's - PERFECT No Artifacts

1200 x 1500 Mhz's - Minor Artifacts (Could do with a tad more Voltage)

Apparently there's a +.132 to +.141mv boost using an ASUS R9290X-4GD5 BIOS and ASUS GPUTweak 2.4.9.2. Reports are 1265 Mhz GPU and 1600 Mhz Memory Clocks - Humm - Can't seem to find the ASUS R9290X-4GD5 BIOS firmware or flashing Utility Online but do we need it?

Still waiting the EnzoTech Copper Heat Sinks but gaves me time to do a comprehensive before and after comparison ;o)

 

[Bateluer]

I have the cooler and the EnzoTech ramsinks, but didn't want take my machine offline to add it Sunday night. Wanted to play games.

 

[Terminal_Boy]

I fitted one at the weekend and hope this might avoid others having the same problems:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18559998

 

[RagnarKon]

I fitted one at the weekend and hope this might avoid others having the same problems:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18559998

Those Alpenföhn kits are almost exactly what is needed... shame they aren't sold in the States.

 

[Z15CAM]

I have the Arctic Accelero Xtreme III installed and I and have done some preliminary Benches with it - I don't think anyone is going to be happy with my take on it - Give me another day or 2 before I draw a conclusion ;o)

 

[monstercameron]

I have the Arctic Accelero Xtreme III installed and I and have done some preliminary Benches with it - I don't think anyone is going to be happy with my take on it - Give me another day or 2 before I draw a conclusion ;o)

this is foreboding...

 

[Z15CAM]

Although the GPU Temp is down and it's quiet, I seeing VRM Temps over 100C just for moderate Bench.

So far I have not come close to the Stock AMD Cooler when it's in Jet Mode - I afraid if I push Clocking with this Accelero Xtreme III I may burn my R9 290X.

Give me a day or 2, and hopefully I can find a Magic Profile - But it's looking bleak - I'm toasted - Need a Rest.

Something I should say about the way I'm benching this R9 290X that is without my i7-2700K being over-clocked that is it's idling at 1600Mhz. Why because, I'm only interested in the card itself. Once I've reached a decisive GPU Clocking I'll pin the i7-2700K at say 5Ghz's and see what the Bench results look like.

Anybody wanna buy an Arctic Accelero Xtreme III - Going for $50 with another $50 worth of Extra's ;o)

I'm running the 290X in Umber Mode with the Accelero fans at 12v.

With the Stock AMD Cooler I can run a solid 156vm-1195-1600 scoring 2976 in Valley with temps for both GPU and VRM under 88C - but it sounds like a Jet taking off but it keeps the VRM's Cool - LOL

I manage to take the card apart 4 x's before considering that I was not going to get any better VRM Temps - Now you know what I'm experiencing. I hope I can find away out before posting info that the Xtreme III is not for me but I don't think I can change this conclusion save for a Miracle other then the AMD R9 290X is a fantastic Consumer product and nothing less the a Super Water Card for the Enthusiast.

Anybody want to buy a slightly used Arctic Accelero Xtreme III for $50 along with another $50 worth of extra's.

 

[ICDP]

Although the GPU Temp is down and it's quiet, I seeing VRM Temps over 100C just for moderate Bench.

So far I have not come close to the Stock AMD Cooler when it's in Jet Mode - I afraid if I push Clocking with this Accelero Xtreme III I may burn my R9 290X.

Give me a day or 2, and hopefully I can find a Magic Profile - But it's looking bleak - I'm toasted - Need a Rest.

Something I should say about the way I'm benching this R9 290X that is without my i7-2700K being over-clocked that is it's idling at 1600Mhz. Why because, I'm only interested in the card itself. Once I've reached a decisive GPU Clocking I'll pin the i7-2700K at say 5Ghz's and see what the Bench results look like.

Anybody wanna buy an Arctic Accelero Xtreme III - Going for $50 with another $50 worth of Extra's ;o)

I'm running the 290X in Umber Mode with the Accelero fans at 12v.

With the Stock AMD Cooler I can run a solid 156vm-1195-1600 scoring 2976 in Valley with temps for both GPU and VRM under 88C - but it sounds like a Jet taking off but it keeps the VRM's Cool - LOL

I manage to take the card apart 4 x's before considering that I was not going to get any better VRM Temps - Now you know what I'm experiencing. I hope I can find away out before posting info that the Xtreme III is not for me but I don't think I can change this conclusion save for a Miracle other then the AMD R9 290X is a fantastic Consumer product and nothing less the a Super Water Card for the Enthusiast.

Anybody want to buy a slightly used Arctic Accelero Xtreme III for $50 along with another $50 worth of extra's.

You have found the main problem with these Accelero Xtreme coolers. VRM cooling is a simple afterthought.

How did you mount the VRM, glue or thermal tape?

 

[Z15CAM]

Well I was considering an Arctic Silver 50/50 Epoxy/Ceramic Silver Mix but I ended up using the Arctic Kit Adhesive - Not too shabby and it's recommended by Arctic. Did not want to take the chance of pulling out VRM's on a $560 Card.

I took the Cooler off several times with various configurations and ended up with Arctic Silver 5 for GPU. - No problem there.

I place 14 EnzoTech Forged Copper HS on the Dimms and ended up using the Kit Alu-Arctic VRM HS on the VRM's. I also experiment using the EnzoTech Forged Copper on the VRM's to no avail - Same Result using the Kits Adhesive.

Here's a GPU-Z Log.TXT copy and paste for a Minor OC running Valley with AB at +100vM Off-Set:
013-11-30 11:25:51 , 1190.0 , 1500.0 , 84.0 , - , - , 99 , 984 , 50 , 11.50 , 1.211 , 1.000 , 22.4 , 183.5 , 295.0 , 215.8 , 100 , 63 ,

2013-11-30 11:25:52 , 1172.9 , 1500.0 , 83.0 , - , - , 94 , 697 , 40 , 11.63 , 1.234 , 1.000 , 16.8 ,

100C VRM Temp for a simple 1170/1500 and it throttled ( Oop's that was a 1190) either way it's SICK compared to using the STK AMD Sonic Decibel Cooler where I can hit 1200/1600 using 156mV Off-Set with temps under 88C for both GPU and VRM's . Complain all you want about the NOISE but that STK AMD Cooler, in spite of it's ear piercing sound, does a Great Job of protecting the card.

That's bad example I'll find another - Got Guests - ;o)

The R9/Accelero III is probably a descent QUIET Combo for the average user but they are only one click away from destroying their card. Please NOTE: VRM Temps was my biggest concern at the beginning of this thread.

Give me a day or 2 and I will attempt to post more conclusive results at risk but I've already made up my mind - The Accelero III is DANGEROUS for the Enthusiast.

Great Kit but not for me.

I gotta go Dual Loop to avoid a 747 from taking off and keep the VRM Temps respectable - Am I'm SICK or is there a QUIET Solution to this ON AIR.

PS: NOTE the very bottom VRM on the Right Bottom and that protrusion closest to the Bottom VRM module - BE CAREFUL that you don't short it to the Heat Sink when using the Accelero Kit - Use the Insulating ribbons to Shield the ground straps on the Regulators and Mount the Heat Sinks against the Insulating Strip to avoid the protrusion.

If you don't do that, you will short out the Video Card and your PC will not start. You will not hurt the Video Card but that's a solution to an unnecessary JAM - Don't ask me how I know ;o)

Double PS: Over all I don't see the result I want - But I'll play with it for the next week and report which most don't want to hear and needless to say at my risk - Unless someone offer's me $50 for a clean $100+ investment which includes all the EnzoTech Forged Copper Heat Sinks - LOL

I do believe Tom Hacked me.

As I type the i7 2700K is idling at 34C and the 290X with the Accelero is at 36C according to HWMonitor Pro in Sys-Tray.

 

[3DVagabond]

Can you take a pic of the card withour the main sinc, but with the ram and vrm syncs?

 

[Z15CAM]

Give me time, my Canon Power shot has Pink Eye (More Crap) - I can borrow a neighbor's cell phone.

Basically, in my opinion, a R9 will burn it's way right throw the Arctic Accelero Xtreme III.

 

[3DVagabond]

Thanks. I assume you are running it at 100% fans? FWIU the fans are very slow turning and 100% is still below most people's ambient sound levels.

 

[Z15CAM]

Personally I thought the Xtreme III would handle it if not better then AIB Solutions but it doesn't. I don't know what the AIB Partner's are going to come up with - But I bet it's going to be Expensive.

On a side note I've been playing around with computers since card punch - Anand knows me by the nick "SafeMode". I got the nick because I was looking for GUI - What year - I can't recall.

I can give you PIC's, but trust me I know how to build computers. If you really want a PIC before I dissemble I will do it and nothing will be solved other then I say Tom is WRONG as he left a round in the chamber or - taken from there.

I'm playing with it right now and to me it's not worth destroying an R9 over the advertized capabilities of the Arctic Accelero Xtreme III.

How about I post a GPU-Z Log text of a Unigine Valley Bench comparing the Stock AMD Cooler Vs the same run using the Arctic Accelero III - Will that convince you - What Clocking you want - LOL

But when the VRM goes above 100c I'm shutting it down.

Here's one I didn't - Too amny characters to post but you will get the drift:


---------------------------------------------------

191.0 , 298.0 , 224.8 , 111 , 65 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:02 , 1195.0 , 1560.0 , 90.0 , - , - , 99 , 986 , 50 , 11.50 , 1.234 , 1.000 , 27.1 , 193.5 , 282.5 , 224.0 , 111 , 65 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:03 , 1195.0 , 1560.0 , 90.0 , - , - , 99 , 987 , 50 , 11.50 , 1.242 , 1.000 , 27.3 , 178.0 , 289.0 , 238.8 , 111 , 65 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:04 , 300.0 , 150.0 , 74.0 , - , - , 28 , 995 , 58 , 17.75 , 1.109 , 1.000 , 1.8 , 20.0 , 21.8 , 22.7 , 109 , 64 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:05 , 1195.0 , 1560.0 , 88.0 , - , - , 91 , 989 , 50 , 11.50 , 1.234 , 1.000 , 27.3 , 193.5 , 312.0 , 227.8 , 108 , 64 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:06 , 1195.0 , 1560.0 , 89.0 , - , - , 99 , 987 , 50 , 19.75 , 1.234 , 1.000 , 26.9 , 189.5 , 288.0 , 230.8 , 109 , 65 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:07 , 1195.0 , 1560.0 , 89.0 , - , - , 99 , 987 , 50 , 11.50 , 1.250 , 1.000 , 28.8 , 197.5 , 307.0 , 237.5 , 109 , 65 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:09 , 1195.0 , 1560.0 , 90.0 , - , - , 99 , 985 , 50 , 11.50 , 1.234 , 1.000 , 27.3 , 194.5 , 284.0 , 230.3 , 110 , 65 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:10 , 1195.0 , 1560.0 , 90.0 , - , - , 99 , 987 , 50 , 11.50 , 1.234 , 1.000 , 26.9 , 193.0 , 300.0 , 226.8 , 110 , 65 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:11 , 1195.0 , 1560.0 , 88.0 , - , - , 77 , 707 , 40 , 11.63 , 1.281 , 1.000 , 20.0 , 146.5 , 231.0 , 187.8 , 110 , 65 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:12 , 1195.0 , 1560.0 , 88.0 , - , - , 85 , 707 , 40 , 11.63 , 1.289 , 1.000 , 19.5 , 144.0 , 228.5 , 187.3 , 109 , 65 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:13 , 1195.0 , 1560.0 , 88.0 , - , - , 85 , 707 , 40 , 11.63 , 1.281 , 1.000 , 19.8 , 146.5 , 229.5 , 187.3 , 108 , 65 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:14 , 1194.0 , 1560.0 , 88.0 , - , - , 85 , 707 , 40 , 11.63 , 1.281 , 1.000 , 19.9 , 146.0 , 230.3 , 187.8 , 108 , 65 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:15 , 1195.0 , 1560.0 , 88.0 , - , - , 85 , 707 , 40 , 11.63 , 1.281 , 1.000 , 19.9 , 146.5 , 231.0 , 188.5 , 107 , 65 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:16 , 320.2 , 150.0 , 73.0 , - , - , 27 , 17 , 20 , 11.75 , 1.195 , 1.000 , 2.1 , 21.0 , 22.6 , 22.7 , 105 , 64 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:17 , 311.4 , 150.0 , 71.0 , - , - , 3 , 17 , 20 , 11.88 , 1.102 , 1.000 , 1.8 , 19.5 , 20.8 , 21.1 , 102 , 63 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:18 , 320.5 , 150.0 , 70.0 , - , - , 5 , 17 , 20 , 11.88 , 1.109 , 1.000 , 1.7 , 18.5 , 20.0 , 20.5 , 100 , 62 ,

2013-11-30 11:02:19 , 318.7 , 150.0 , 69.0 , -
--------------------------------------

Second column from the right is the VRM Temp's. Believe me the R9 is incredible. I've never seen a card take so much punishment and still hold on.

I can't conceive what the AIB Partners have in store for it.

By the way; with the Reference cooler howling at 95%, temps for both the GPU and VRM never go above 88C for that particular run - That run was with the Accelero.

Note the 1.289 vM Off-Set Voltage ;o)

The only black screens I've had where with the Accelero as it plainly can't do programmed +156 vM Off-Set v 1200-1600 Mhz Valley benches where as the reference cooler can do and do it artifact free at under 90C. Geez If I where to attempt that with the Accelero the VRM Temps would be over 115c.

The Loud Howling AMD Cooler is definitely an Enthusiast's Cooler.

 

[Bateluer]

The documentation for this falls apart when it gets to actually installing the cooler. I think you need three hands. Damn near impossible to line up the screws with the tiny holes and hold the card in a position where you can screw them in. :/

Edit
Z15CAM, have you installed the EX3 yet? I'm running into some difficulties with it and none of the installation videos show me what I need to see. Getting the screws through the backplate on the rear of the card pretty much requires 3 hands. I was able to secure them in place using some tape so I could rotate the card in order to line up the screws with the holes on the plate around the copper block of the ex3 itself. But, tightening them fully bends that bracket. I'm pretty sure that isn't supposed to happen. Documentation from Arctic is garbage once you get to actually installing the cooler.

I'm going to resume in the morning, loosened the screws for now. I've also left the heatsink off the lower ram ic until everything is good, then I'll secure a ramsink to it. It'll block my line of sight if I did it prior.

Edit 2 - Here's a picture of it. Screws are loose in this shot, but the bracket can be seen bent. Gets worse when the screws are tightened to the point where the cooler/card are not wibbly.

 

[Silverforce11]

Im my experience, GDDR5 ram chips don't even need a heatsink as long as there's airflow on them. The most important part to cool is actually the VRMs, keeping them low means better efficiency allowing higher OCs.

The problem with those suckers are that they are TINY and can only fit most TINY heatsinks.. which fail to keep them cool. AMD's default ram/VRM sink is a giant metal block, the entire PCB length, which is why the VRMs always stay cool.

The best solution is keeping AMD's heatblock but cooling the GPU die with an aftermarket ... or go water.

 

[Z15CAM]

Yeh! The PIC very similar to my Accelero build except I through out the tape (after many runs) and went for adhesive paste. PIC's are nice ;o)

GDDR5 ram chips don't even need a heat-sink as long as there's airflow on them.

Don't go there Anand Tech Moderators will close the thread for scrutinizing and send you a message that your crapping - Humble apologies to my earlier comments about Elpida. It can do 1600Mhz - but on what cards?

 

[Bateluer]

Yeh! The PIC very similar to my Accelero build except I through out the tape (after many runs) and went for adhesive paste. PIC's are nice ;o)

So it is supposed to bend considerably more then? Far as I can tell, the PCB never bends or warps at all. Concerned because there's a enough force to bend a steel plate.

 

[Z15CAM]

Yes the steel plate bents if you put an Accelero together right - You don't read that in the instructions or opt to leave the sponge out.

The black cylinders with a paper washer pretty well forces a perfect contact of the Heat-Sink to the GPU - I used the small white cylinders with the paper washers and sand-wedge the sponge under the back plate. The card ended up straight with a fair amount of pressure on the heat-sink.

There's no problem with the Accelero Heat-Sink - It's all about the VRM Heat Issue and the R9 desperately needs an efficient QUIET Air Cooler to do it.

I've seen VRM Temps up to 118c on my 290X using the Accelero and it scares the crape outta me. I've have never seen temps like that PERIOD and the card keeps on trucking. What a Monster - Kinda reminds me of the days when the ATi Rage was introduced.

If it can do 1200/1600 with a +156vm at 90C with the insanely loud stock cooler just think what it can do if we get the temp down to 70c on Air preferably - It's not about cooling the GPU or Dimms: It's the VRM modules and do it QUIETLY.

Personally I looking forward pinning my i7 2700k at 5G's and benching Valley with a +156vM Off-Set /1200/1600Mhz and blow that 3000 Bench and our nVidia Bro's away ;o)

 

[blackened23]

I had similar findings with the Accelero 7970 - the core temps were ridiculously good and the cooler itself was quiet even at 100% fanspeed. Whisper quiet in fact - I couldn't believe how quiet it was when I tried it. Unfortunately, the VRM cooling was not as good as hoped (just like you found), that's the main drawback of the accelero's - and for super high overclocks the VRM cooling does play a role.

Still, you'll definitely have more headroom with an Accelero despite the VRM cooling. I think the VRMs are rated up to 105C or higher? Although I could be wrong.