Mini review of my Zalman VF900 on the X1900 XT

[mizzer]

I'll make this short and sweet.

My expectations: Excellent instructions, easy installation, and temperatures only slightly better than stock cooling. Also, I expected the VF900 to run much quieter than the factory HSF.

Did it meet my expectation? You bet.

Stock cooling temps would max out around 90 degrees...idle around 50 degrees. When running demanding 3D apps (games) the fan would crank up and emit an audible "WUUUUUR" sound. When it got hotter (Oblivion seemed to push my card the most topping ~85 degrees) the stock HSF "Whined" like the venerable Vantec Tornado. For someone who had invested time and money to make their case "cool and quiet" the added noise was disappointing.

Enter the VF900.

Installation was a breeze. The instruction manual was easy to follow. IMO one could install the VF900 simply by looking at the pictures.

It took me about 20 minutes from "card out of case" to "VF900 installed and card back in case". I could have gone faster but the nagging voice in my head kept reminding me that I was modding a very expensive piece of hardware and that one screw up could throw me back into "cheap back up card land" until I saved enough to replace the broken X1900XT.

Also, I suppose it's worth noting that I used Arctic Silver Ceramique on the chip instead of the supplied thermal compound. Does this make a huge difference? Probably not as tests show that most thermal compounds perform at about the same level. I wasn't going for more performance. Instead, I liked the "failsafe" quality of the non-capacitive Ceramique. Is that the right word for it? Not sure. But I do know that it won't harm components if I should get some where it doesn't belong.

Under tests my temps were as follows:

Stock Idle: 50 degrees_____VF900 idle: 39 degrees
Stock load: ~85 degrees___VF900 load: 76.5 degrees

Scores reflect ATI Tool reports and were taken during runs of Oblivion and 3DMark '05.

As you can see the temps improved. But most importantly the VF900 runs at a whisper compared to the stock HSF.

Is this an "overclocker's HSF"? Probably not. But this is just my opinion. This is a card for people like me: people who want the performance of the latest ATI offerings while maintaining the cool and quiet of their nearly silent PC.

I highly recommend the Zalman VF900.

[NoDamage]

What fan speed did you have the VF900 set to?

[mizzer]

Originally Posted by NoDamage

What fan speed did you have the VF900 set to?

Good question.

I have it spinning at full speed (~2500 rpm) via my Coolermaster Aerogate II controller. I did not install the "fan mate" that came with the package.

I chose "full" because, for me, there is no audible difference between "full" and anything less-than full...the fan is quiet no matter what.

[Sand-Man]

[DaJMasta]

Originally Posted by mizzer

Good question.

I have it spinning at full speed (~2500 rpm) via my Coolermaster Aerogate II controller. I did not install the "fan mate" that came with the package.

I chose "full" because, for me, there is no audible difference between "full" and anything less-than full...the fan is quiet no matter what.

I can hear a slight difference if I stick my ear in there, but from any distance the fan is definitely under the rest of my computer.

I've got similar drops in temperature on my x1800 XT too

[mizzer]

Originally Posted by DaJMasta

I can hear a slight difference if I stick my ear in there, but from any distance the fan is definitely under the rest of my computer.

I've got similar drops in temperature on my x1800 XT too

I checked this out. Indeed, I could hear a difference with my ear about 12" from the fan. Even so, the sound is a low-pitched "Whoosh" and it doesn't interfere with the near-silence of my case configuration.

[Klacik]

Originally Posted by DaJMasta

I can hear a slight difference if I stick my ear in there, but from any distance the fan is definitely under the rest of my computer.

I've got similar drops in temperature on my x1800 XT too

cool.. i'm definately going to purchase this cooler, if it's good and quiet.. hope my sapphire x1800xt will arrive soon

[DEADANDWELL]

i dont understand the high temps people get with the stock cooler. i have my xtx overclocked to 711/810 and under full load for 20 min im at 69c.
if you adjust the fan speed (stock it runs at 27%!!!) on the stock cooler it will overclock higher and run way more stable than that zalman. i bought one too now i have it on my old x800.

[rpgaction]

Glad you had such success...I bought a VF900 for my X1800XT, and there was practically no difference, idle or otherwise.

[Pr()ZaC]

Originally Posted by rpgaction

Glad you had such success...I bought a VF900 for my X1800XT, and there was practically no difference, idle or otherwise.

What about the noise?

[Caslon]

I have heard that ATI is redesigning the cooler for the x1900 series of cards.

Anyone confirm or deny? My only source is someone mentioning it in another forum.

I wonder where to go or email to find out. If anyone can, I'd appreciate it.