VisionTek Geforce 4 Ti/4400 heatsink question

[slimbim]

I just got the VisionTek Geforce 4 Ti/4400 128MB card.
I was wondering how good the heatsink on the card is, and how well it is attached to the GPU. Is it good enough or should I take it off and put some Artic Silver III on it?
Also, this card has no RAM sinks on the ram. Should I buy RAM sinks and put them on?

One more, where can I buy the DVI to VGA adaptor?

Thanks.

 

[Brian48]

I've got the Visiontek ti4600. I personally think it was a mistake to release this card without any RAM heatsinks. These Samsung chips run very HOT to the touch. Although I never had problems overclocking the memory, I went ahead and got some RAM heatsinks for it anyway. The factory heatsink is not bad, but I wish it was just a little bit beefier. The pins can easily by pinch-pushed out and reused again. I took mine off and reapplied with some ASII that I had laying around.

 

[slimbim]

did applying ASII lower the temperature at all?
what kind of thermal grease does the retail heatsink use and was it evenly applied over the GPU?

what are the best method for applying RAM heatsinks? I have two of those thermaltake ram heatsinks laying around, but those only came with those double-sided tape looking things. I would think this isn't too great a way to stick the RAM sinks on.....

Thanks!

 

[KouklatheCat]

slimbim,

I have the same card. I have been wondering the same things. I have my card overclocked to 305/610 and it seems happy at that speed. I was thinking of using the thermaltake ramsinks and using artic silver epoxy ( Plycon ) for ramsinks.

Also if you find out where to get the DVI to VGA adapter please let me know.

Thanks

 

[netjack]

simple question:

is there a hardware difference between the different brands of ti4400 or just software/bundle difference? Which brand is the best? I was thinking about getting the PNY Verto.

thanks for the advice.

 

[slimbim]

hey kouklathecat,
I just bought a DVI to VGA converter today at a local store (TEch'E's in Atlanta, GA) for $10. Microcenter also had the exact same model for $12. I think mwave.com has one for cheaper, and I couldn't find them at any other online stores, but didn't really want to go online for something that small.

I think I am just going to leave everything alone and just see how it works. don't feel like putting on those RAM sinks, and don't feel like changing the thermal grease unless it really sucks.

netJack,
I don't know about PNY, but VisionTek has the best customer support and service from my recent experience. I think PNY also has Lifetime warranty, but i heard it is a pain to RMA or get service.

I had Visiontek geforce 3 ti/200, and it failed in about 2 months, prob cause I was messing around with the heatsink and all too much. I RMA'ed it, and they just sent me a brand new Geforce 4 Ti/4400 128 MB as replacement. The whole process took about 2-3 weeks. Even though the stupid FedEx guy delivered it to the wrong apartment, which took extra 2 days to have it in my hands, but other than then, VisionTek is awesome in my opinion when it comes to service.

 

[tenoc]

You screwed up a GF3 Ti200 and they sent you a GF4 4400.

Now you're planning to screw up the GF4.

Imagine what they'll send you next!

 

[KouklatheCat]

slimbim if you mess up the GF4 instead of a new video card.......



dude youre gettin a dell.....

 

[slimbim]

Yeah, but hopefully nothing will happen to the GF4. It's the FedEx people I am afraid of.....they just delivered it to a random apt. Lucky it was some old lady.....if it was one of you guys.......


Well, I put it in, and the back-side of the GPU is EXTREMELY hot!! Is this normal? The thermal paste or tape or whatever they used was really sucky....it was some yellow double sided sponge to me it seemed like. So I carefully cleaned everything off, and then put some Artic Silver III on it. But it is still reallly hot! I put the CompuNurse on the backside of the GPU, and it's reading at 49.5 C. right now, and typing this is all i am doing.

think this is okay?? can everyone else who has Geforce 4 card have high temps too??

Thanks guys.

 

[KouklatheCat]

If I can find one of the heat probes for my Digital Doc ill put it on and let you know what my temps are. Where did you put the probe exactly? On the back side of the card, on the PCB? Or???

Thanks

 

[slimbim]

I put the probe on the backside of the card, right behind the GPU. To be exact, right in the middle of the little square formed by all the capacitors and components right behind the GPU flat on the PCB, on the backside of the card.

Please do check yours and let me know....i need some assurance that this temp is not too high

thank you

 

[KouklatheCat]

What, if at all are you O'ing yours to? I have mine at 305/610. My 19 month old is wanting my attention right now, so ill try to get a probe on my card when I can.

 

[slimbim]

It's not overclocked at all. I just put it in for the first time today, and that's the temperature I got. Right now it's 48.7 Celcius.
MMmmmm......

 

[ShadowDJ]

Do what a true tweaker would do, put a big heatsink on the other side too!
It sounds like a Leadtek style way to do it, though...

 

[mrman3k]

I am planning on getting a GF4 4400, and I am thinking of getting the Leadtek one due to the larger heatsink, but I want to get your opinions.

 

[KouklatheCat]

I found a flat probe to put on the card but it is 10:00 pm and I have to go to work at 6:00 am. Ill get some electrical tape and put it on tomorrow and let you know. If I can find another probe ill put one on one of the memory chips as well.

 

[slimbim]

Kouklathecat,
did you have a chance to put the probe on and check the temperature?
I just want to make sure if this high temp is ok.....don't want any damage.

I am going to put a small 50mm fan on the backside of the card and see what happens.

 

[slimbim]

also one last question.

lets say if it is running too hot, or the temps rise to a level where it is dangerous, will the card quit working before any damage is done? or if my screen goes blank, the damage has already been done??

 

[KouklatheCat]

I didnt get a chance to put the probes on today. Ill do it tomorrow....sorry had another busy crappy day at the office. People walk in at 3:30 and want stuff.....where the heck are they when im doing nothing at 11:00 am??????

 

[SupermanCK]

I notice people who had a ti4400 would have a higher score in the nature test than i do...which is at least 10fps...sometimes 20fps...i have almost the exact same set up or sometimes better...but my nature scores still sucked...check my 3DMark2k1SE link below

I know that people who had similar set up have at least 70+fps...i barely have 50+fps
at one point or another i had the higher nature score result...but now i don't have that high score anymore...i tried reinstalling drivers...didn't work...help please

Another question is where did you guy buy the mem heatsink for the video card? I want to get some too...

One more question...if I was to put a heatsink on the back side...how would i do so? I can't just put is there...how do i avoid all the circuits???

As for the blank screen...is there something touch the back of your video card or the front??? I had an minor accident the other day when i was cleaning out the wiring inside my case...i was cutting the plastic straps tying the wires together...but i drop the nail clipper and it fell onto the video card...I was like SH!T...stupid that i didn't turn my computer off before doing so...I looked up to my monitor and a BLACK SCREEN....OH NO...I must have shorted out the circuits...or bridged something...I quickly turned my computer off...and removed the nail clipper...and fired the baby up...and thank god that the screen appears again...i was gonna cry if i had shorted something...freaking $250 video card...but i can always RMA it...well...that's my story