XFX Alpha Dog 8800GT and Zalman VF900-CU

[hal515]

Ok, I got really tired of the fan speed on this card because I did a little research that stupid XFX locked the fan speed at 100% so its as loud as a jet.

My question is how do I install my zalman cooler.

thanks,

hal515

[hal515]

anyone know?

[Heartborne]

I've never modded a video card myself, but I believe you have to remove the stock heatsink with a small screwdriver or an allen wrench.
If I were you I'd look for guides online. You can probably find videos for it on youtube.
Of course, if the card's bios locks the fan speed at 100% you'll have 100% fan speed no matter what fan you put on there.

[hal515]

I've never modded a video card myself, but I believe you have to remove the stock heatsink with a small screwdriver or an allen wrench.
If I were you I'd look for guides online. You can probably find videos for it on youtube.
Of course, if the card's bios locks the fan speed at 100% you'll have 100% fan speed no matter what fan you put on there.

No the maker of the card didn't put the necessary third wire which makes the fan variable which means that the speed will change when the temperature gets to high or low.

[hal515]

Also the fan I am getting is connected to the motherboard not the graphics card and has that thing called "fan mate 2". According to what I read it's a little device that controls fan speeds. I don't much more than that, but I am going to give it a try because it seems that all 8800gt's have stock fan problems.

Thanks

[Heartborne]

Well then, this is totally outside my realm of knowledge. You are cooling your graphics card with a fan that is connected to the motherboard... so you are going to do what? Remove the fan that is on the video card?

Link me to this thing you're getting, I'm curious about it. It sounds to me like an excellent way to cook your video card.

[hal515]

Yeah here is the link

To me sounds really good, because a lot of the forums I read upon said it really cooled the card well 10-30 degrees depending on the case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118001

Or

LINK (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118001)

[hal515]

Well then, this is totally outside my realm of knowledge. You are cooling your graphics card with a fan that is connected to the motherboard... so you are going to do what? Remove the fan that is on the video card?

Link me to this thing you're getting, I'm curious about it. It sounds to me like an excellent way to cool your video card.

Lol, I think you accidently put the wrong word there.

[hal515]

Here is a forum that shows pictures of what it looks like.

LINK
(http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/246886-33-8800gt-vf900-cooling)
or

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/246886-33-8800gt-vf900-cooling

[Heartborne]

no no, I meant cook... but then I see how it's installed. It's attached to the GPU the same way a CPU HSF would be. That makes a bit more sense. I've never tried this sort of thing before so I can't say for sure how well it will work for you. I understand these aftermarket fans run quieter than the stock fans, but that is usually because they provide more cooling at a lower fan speed... if the card is hardcoded to run at 100% fanspeed all the time it may have issues when you install an after market cooler and doesn't see a fan connected to it.
All I can say is try your luck and let us know how it works out. Where is saph when you need him?

[hal515]

I just ordered and it should be coming Thursday. I also bought extra heatsinks because the vram is open without any sinks. I dont want it overheat.


I'll keep you posted.

[Rick]

If you didn't get memory cooler chip set that bolts on
Then make sure you get some of this Thermal Adhesive Tape
It will allow you to stick the memory heatsinks on and not have to worry about them falling off

Here is where I get mine Sidewinder (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/akthadtaak80.html)

While your there Check out the other GPU and memory coolers

I Like this one Custom "iandh" 8800GT/G92 Memory & VRM cooling kit (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/cu88mecokitb.html)


Combine the cooler you selected and the above memory heatsink should cool and quiet down your system

When you install this new GPU cooler
Go into the GPU control program and disable the fan monitor BEFORE you remove the card from the system to begin

[hal515]

Hey Rick,

Do you know of any other store that sells iandh ramsinks, because I dont always trust other sites. (Like Ebay, Amazon, etc.)

Thanks

[hal515]

I mean is Sidewinders a trustfull source

[hal515]

Ok, I finally installed it and it is excellent it dropped the degrees my by 15 on load and idle.

I have the heatsinks also installed on the voltage regulators.