• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Where to buy a video card HS/F?

B

BatmanNate

Lifer
My Saphire Radeon 9700 Pro's fan bought the farm. I modified several 486 fans for the job, but with mixed results and poor longevity. I hear that North Bridge fans are generally the same size, and they sell video chipset fans, but I'm not sure where. Do B&M stores like CompUSA or Bestbuy stock anything? If not, what would be a good retailer to look at online? TIA,

Nate
 
If you have the time and patience, and if you're handy with a hacksaw/drill, you might wanna try modifying 1U CPU coolers for the job. They work very well, since they're low profile and designed for high powered CPUs(which mean they'll cool very well). I have a Cooljag 1U cooler on my Radeon 9700 Pro.
 
Originally posted by: Goi
If you have the time and patience, and if you're handy with a hacksaw/drill, you might wanna try modifying 1U CPU coolers for the job. They work very well, since they're low profile and designed for high powered CPUs(which mean they'll cool very well). I have a Cooljag 1U cooler on my Radeon 9700 Pro.
Click to expand...

Interesting, I could dremel it to fit, but what concerned me more was the mounting holes and pins. Also, a CPU cooler is a bit overkill as I'm not even OCing so I don't really need to move any more than 12-15 Ft(3)/min but if I had a 1u cooler I'd give it a shot. 😀


 
The mounting holes would have to be aligned to the existing 2 obviously. You'd have to find creative ways to do that. Another problem with using any flat base surface HSF on the R300 core is that the copper shim surrounding the core is slightly higher than the core itself, causing no contact at all between the core and the base of the HSF. ATI circumvented this problem with globs of thermal compound, but what I did was use a drilling stone to "carve" out a perimeter on the base of the HSF so that there's full contact between the core and the HSF. The result wasn't pretty, but who's looking? 🙂
 
Why don't you just purchase a passive zalman heatpipe cooler for your 9700....no fans to worry about, its quiet and it cools well when not OC. Plus, since there are no moving parts, it never really wears out....maximum longevity. Only about 30 bucks, less when on sale.

Unless you want to build your own....might be difficult to design your own heatpipe cooler though.
 
I think the best bet is to get the cheapest copper cooler you can find. An old socket A/370 model being liquidated cheap. Cut it down with even a hacksaw easily. If you have good case airflow it might be able to run passive. If not, mount a slow or undervolted 80mm fan blowing across it, a la Zalman fan bracket. That would easily cool a 9700, even overclocked and overvolted.
 
Thanks for all of the help, guys! I will probably order a Crystal Orb from Newegg as dmw16's link mentioned that cooler working well on a 9700 pro, and it's only $8. I'm not sure about using passive cooling as it operates in a very hot environment, right below dual athlons and above a hardware RAID-5 card. I did outfit the side of the case with a nice 120MM fan which I believe to be the dust blowing culprit as it is the only one not filtered with drier sheets because of the mounting. I will borrow a 120mm fan filter from the Xerox guys at work I suppose. Thanks again for all of the advice, I type this now from my Proliant so hopefully I'll be back in the saddle before long. 🙂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top