VGA Silencer

[SneakyStuff]

Hey guys, I just got a Radeon 9700p, I love it, but I DON'T love the noise. That little fan on it is loud as all get out. I was looking to get one of these. My question to you guys is this; how difficult (mabye even dangerous) is it to remove the stock HSF off the 9700p, and install the VGA silencer? I've got a tube of ceramique as well, can I use that as the thermal interface? I just don't want to do something, thinking it will be easy, then wreck my card, because once I sell my 5700u, the 9700p is ALL i've got.

 

[xbassman]

I have one o my HIS Excalibur 9800 Pro and installed one on a friend's 9600XT.
You will definately like the cooling and silence!

As to the install, I am not sure if the 9700 is much different than a 9600XT, but I was kinda uncomfortable with it a bit. Removing the stock HS/F was no problem. (Arctic Cooling says if it doesn't remove easily heat it to 50-60C with a hair dryer.)

The installation is where I was uncomfortable. You don't tighten it down to any stops. (or all the way)
You basically tighten it up to the included rubber washers. I used a flashlight from behind to make sure it was flush. All worries aside, it installed fine and cools well.

Here's a link to the instructions:
http://www.arctic-cooling.com/...tall_vga_silencer1.pdf

 

[SneakyStuff]

Gracias

If there's a metal shim on the GPU, can that stay?

 

[rforum]

IF your card is like mine, turn the video card over and you should see two (as I recall) prongs sticking out from the card in the area of the heatsink. I just took a small pair of needlenose pliers and squeezed the prongs together and the heatsink was then loose enough to pull off.

 

[xbassman]

If there's a metal shim on the GPU, can that stay?

I believe so.....
Google it.... plenty of guides.

 

[Operandi]

Removing the stock HS/F is pretty easy, mine was kinda glued into place so I had to remove all of that which took awhile. And yes, the shim can stay.

Have you looked into Zalmans passive coolers?

 

[WobbleWobble]

VGA Silencer is quite a bit easier to install than the Zalmans. The trickest part I thought was removing the pushpins without breaking them. Make sure your plyers don't slip and scratch the PCB if you use them.

 

[SneakyStuff]

haha this all sounds so risky, but ANYTHING is better than this horendous fan noise now (I cant hear anything in my whole case, but this video card fan is LOUD!)

 

[WobbleWobble]

It's not that risky. Just don't be careless.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble
It's not that risky. Just don't be careless.

Agreed, the zalman is complicated but it's not very difficult to install. The included documentation is great which helps. I would imagine the VGA silencer is even easier.

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: SneakyStuff
haha this all sounds so risky, but ANYTHING is better than this horendous fan noise now (I cant hear anything in my whole case, but this video card fan is LOUD!)

That's what I said when I pulled the trigger on an NV Silencer for my 6800GT and I don't regret it a bit. You'll be happy with the Silencer.

 

[SneakyStuff]

Alright, guess i'll get the 20 dollar one on newegg w/ free shipping. Sound like a good price?