Vantec Icberq4 + Sapphire 9800Pro = no go?!

[VTrider]

Well I decided to replace the stock HSF on my Sapphire 9800Pro with this Vantec Icberq4 unit that I just got over at Newegg. The Box states that it fits ATI 9800 cards, but it doesn't seem to fit this Sapphire?

I apply thermal paste, then the Iceberq and clip on the two connectors. When I hold it up to a light, I can see light beneath the copper surface, so I un-connected everything. The thermal paste didn't even make it on the bottom of the heatsink (a few dabs, that's it). Now there is this square shim around the GPU that looks like it's epoxied on, I'm wondering if that is not ATI reference or something? Funny thing is that the stock HSF unit is flat also, but fits very tightly.

Am I missing something here? I don't really feel like frying a $300.00 video card.

 

[MDE]

You probably need to remove the shim to get the Vantec to fit.

 

[VTrider]

I thought about that, but it's epoxied on - the last time I tried to remove an epoxied piece (heatsink) was on a brand new TNT2 Ultra back in the day, and I blissfully sent a screwdriver through a few transistors! I think I'll just keep the stock one on.

I can't really understand why it doesn't fit, the stock one is almost identical and it fits perfect?

 

[PliotronX]

Who knows, the Iceberq might be a bit concave, but the shim has been found to be a cooling problem with aftermarket sinks ever since they were implemented with the 9700. The easiest way (that doesn't mean stress-free!) to remove that shim is to slowly slice under the corners with a razorblade and slip something sharp but plastic in to get some leverage and pop that sucker off. If you don't feel comfortable taking a razor blade to a $300 card, stick with the stock cooler or try some thermal tape so that more surface area is mated. Of course thermal tape isn't as efficient as grease, but it's a hell of a better option that just having a dab or two of grease mating the surfaces. Good luck.

 

[VTrider]

It's funny..I've written off thermal tape so many years ago that I didn't even consider it an option - I might do that. I wonder if I would still get better cooling with the Iceberq4 + thermal tape vs. stock and thermal grease? I'm not feeling lucky with sharp objects lately, in the past I would stick the card in the freezer then the epoxy would get brittle and pop off nice and easy. Considering this 9800Pro is new and the most expensive part of my system, I'll suck up my pride and use thermal tape, thanks.

 

[PliotronX]

I know how you feel, I wouldn't remove the shim from that puppy either. Tualeron CPU's heat spreaders yeah, but those things are peanuts compared to these cards =-O It was kinda fun doing the freezer/pop thing with pre-9700 cards after the preliminary cringing at the cracking sound 😀 🙁

Interesting contemplation, might as well pick up some thermal tape and compare. If you haven't applied thermal tape before, it can be a PITA to work with, and to minimize skin cell/debris from getting in the tape's adhesive, try wearing some non-powdery finger cots or latex gloves.

If you post your results it could be helpful to other members, and it's quite interesting 🙂 Hope it nets you a nice improvement :beer:😎

 

[Maddscientist]

Im almost postive you will get better cooling stock....You wrote of thermal tape so long ago for a reason if you recall.....Let me Remind you 🙂 Thermal Tape is worthless 🙂

to remove that shim is to slowly slice under the corners with a razorblade and slip something sharp but plastic in to get some leverage and pop that sucker off

Excellent and easy to follow advice he took the words from my mouth. Mix that with the freezer trick [Make sure not to leave it in for more than one minute or condensation will occur when you remove the card and ice cystals start to melt that where forming on the card while it was in the Freezer!] and youll have a sure thing without having to purchase a new card if you where to damage it the brute force way.