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VGA Graphics Card Cooler
chrisrobhay2
Member Posts: 114
in Hardware
I was wondering if anyone knew if I could use one VGA Cooler to cool two GPUs in Crossfire. The cooler is:
Arctic Cooling VGA Cooler Accelero L2 Pro -
http://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Cooling-Cooler-Accelero-L2/dp/B002C6EL4Q
Comments
Take a look at the manufacturer page and see if your video card is listed:
http://www.arctic-cooling.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_&mID=256
I know that my graphics card is compatible, I was wondering if I would need two of them for tow GPUs.
Yeah, you will need a cooler for each video card. You will have to remove the video card's stock fan and install the new cooler on each card. Make sure you have enough room in your case. These after market coolers take up a good bit more room than the stock one. I have never used this brand before, but I have heard good things about it. When I have installed these things before, I have used Zalman. Don't forget to use thermal paste (Arctic Silver 5 of course).
To tell you the truth bro, I would not use one of these things unless I had absolutely no other options. Usually, you can add a couple more fans or a couple stronger fans to the case and take care of most problems. Using a fan to push air out of the top of your case usually helps a lot.
Good luck!
"Those who dislike things based only on the fact that they are popular are just as shallow and superficial as those who only like them for the same reason."
Would they help in an Antec 1200?
I would think that the Antec 1200 would have more than enough airflow to keep two video cards with stock coolers at a decent temperature. Suck air in from the front and side and blow out the top and back.
"Those who dislike things based only on the fact that they are popular are just as shallow and superficial as those who only like them for the same reason."
I've read Arctic Silver 5 is dangerous to use on video cards because it's semi-conductive (mostly capacitive) and can leak out. There was a guy in this forum that had a dead video card because AS5 had smeared out after a year, started working again when he cleaned it off which is why I started looking into it. I think MX2 is the new go to thermal compound, transfers heat even better and is safer to use.
CPU's are much more protected with the heat spreader and socket and everything so AS5 is easier to use there.
I have used AS 5 on video cards before without any problems. However, if others have had issues, it is really not worth the risk. I'll start using MX-2. Thanks!
"Those who dislike things based only on the fact that they are popular are just as shallow and superficial as those who only like them for the same reason."
So, would this not help at alll if I get two 5870s with aftermarket coolers. (ASUS 5870 2GB RoG)
I think it will help, but I don't think you are going to need it. Run them and check your temperature. If you need to bring the temps down a little, you can always add them later. A 5870 takes up two slots on it own. With an after market cooler, it will probably take up three.
"Those who dislike things based only on the fact that they are popular are just as shallow and superficial as those who only like them for the same reason."
The Antec 1200 has 7 expansion slots. I'm sort of a beginner at PC building, so can you tell me if anything in this PC build would take up expansion slots up besides the graphics cards and VGA Coolers:
ASUS Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681313136
Intel i7 920 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202&cm_re=i7_920-_-19-115-202-_-Product
Cooler Master V8 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103055&cm_re=v8-_-35-103-055-_-Product
Arctic Silver 5 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
6GB G.SKILL RAM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231223
ASUS 5870 2GB RoG (Buy 2) - ?
Arctic Cooling VGA Cooler - http://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Cooling-Cooler-Accelero-L2/dp/B002C6EL4Q
Antec 1200 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043&cm_re=antec_1200-_-11-129-043-_-Product
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7_home_premium_64_bit-_-32-116-754-_-Product
Kingston 512GB SSD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139111
Coolermaster 1000W PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171022
LITE-ON CD Drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106276
Razer Lycosa Keyboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823114004
Razer DeathAdder Mouse - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153055
Alienware Monitor - http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-8218
Creative GigaWorks Speakers - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836116045
CPU's are much more protected with the heat spreader and socket and everything so AS5 is easier to use there.
I have used AS 5 on video cards before without any problems. However, if others have had issues, it is really not worth the risk. I'll start using MX-2. Thanks!
Oops it was the Tuniq TX-3 they recommend:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154007
Best thermal transfer and it's high viscosity so easy to apply, and non-conductive.
I would replace the AS 5 thermal paste with the Tuniq TX-3 as noquarter suggested. The AS 5 would work, but it is conductive and could cause problems if it gets in the wrong place.
Also, I would replace the power supply with an Antec one. It is a personal choice, but I trust the Antec power supplies more that the Cooler Master ones.
"Those who dislike things based only on the fact that they are popular are just as shallow and superficial as those who only like them for the same reason."
Ok, thank you.
The problem with many aftermarket GPU coolers is that they aren't much better then stock. If you have a modern GPU, I wouldn't even consider an aftermarket fan-based cooler.