X1900XT New Heatsink Problems

[Alpha67]

Hi, I just installed a new heatsink on my X1900. Specifically it is a Dynatron BH-625. A have a large 120mm fan blowing right on top of the heatsink. The problem is that it obviously isn't working properly because as soon as I booted up it idled at 60 and gradually climbed to 80 before I shut it off. The stock cooler idled at 50 and loaded at 76. I did drill the holes in the heatsink and it is mounted on there tightly. I also have heatsinks on the memory and on the "power circuit thingies" (7 of them) that are on the end of the card or whatever those are supposed to be called. When I took the stock heatsink off I cleaned everything up with pure alcohol. I used a very thin layer of Arctic Silver 5 on the GPU applied with my finger inside of a plastic bag.

I must have done something wrong during the installation because its as if the heatsink isn't getting enogh contact with the gpu, but when I press down on it it doesn't feel like it can go on any farther. I would appreciate help from anyone who has mounted a cpu heatsink on a gpu before successfully.

If anyone needs pictrues or any additional info. please ask as I can post them if necessary

Here's what the BH-625 looks like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835114012

[swebarb]

Ehm you installed a crappy cpu cooler on a video and you wonder why you get crap high temps ?

BUy a proper cooler and no damn cpu cooler. zalman makes excellent VIDEO coolers.

[Alpha67]

Well it was just that someone else here on the forums showcased the exact same heatsink on an x1900 and stated a decent temperature drop over stock..

[Bugsmasher]

I just purchased one of the X1900XTs as well. I decided to go with an Accelero X2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835186002

Because its made to fit and work on that graphics card. As for the one you used since it was made to handle a Socket A CPU I would be surprised if it could handle the heat coming off that graphics card without a whole lot of help (as in tremendous airflow through the case).

Someone may have had luck with it which I dont doubt, but I am guessing there were other factors involved that allowed it to run decently like great airflow through the case, lower standard case temps via water/phase/etc cooling, etc.

If you have an urge to try a non gpu cooling solution I would seriously look into a higher quality CPU cooler. I simply dont think the one you used can handle that heat load.

[Alpha67]

I have no concern over airflow in my case... 3 120mm 89 cfm turbine fans plus 1 high rpm 120mm on the Hds and also 2 80 mm fans on the top and bottom.
My athlon 3200 idles at 24C and the fan doesn't ever turn on on the heatsink....

But if I was mistaken in the choice of this cooler I was thinking about either getting a tidewater http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835116017 or a VF-1 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835150072

[redrumy3]

I have no concern over airflow in my case... 3 120mm 89 cfm turbine fans plus 1 high rpm 120mm on the Hds and also 2 80 mm fans on the top and bottom.
My athlon 3200 idles at 24C and the fan doesn't ever turn on on the heatsink....

But if I was mistaken in the choice of this cooler I was thinking about either getting a tidewater http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835116017 or a VF-1 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835150072

VF-1 FTW See review in my sig

[BooStFeD]

Hi, I just installed a new heatsink on my X1900. Specifically it is a Dynatron BH-625. A have a large 120mm fan blowing right on top of the heatsink. The problem is that it obviously isn't working properly because as soon as I booted up it idled at 60 and gradually climbed to 80 before I shut it off. The stock cooler idled at 50 and loaded at 76. I did drill the holes in the heatsink and it is mounted on there tightly. I also have heatsinks on the memory and on the "power circuit thingies" (7 of them) that are on the end of the card or whatever those are supposed to be called. When I took the stock heatsink off I cleaned everything up with pure alcohol. I used a very thin layer of Arctic Silver 5 on the GPU applied with my finger inside of a plastic bag.

I must have done something wrong during the installation because its as if the heatsink isn't getting enogh contact with the gpu, but when I press down on it it doesn't feel like it can go on any farther. I would appreciate help from anyone who has mounted a cpu heatsink on a gpu before successfully.

If anyone needs pictrues or any additional info. please ask as I can post them if necessary

Here's what the BH-625 looks like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835114012

I now of atleast 2 members on this forum using the same cpu heatsink which is performing better than the stock heatsink minus the noise. I think your 120mm is whats causing your temps. to rise. It is way to large for that small cpu heatsink and is not creating enough pressure. Try a 80mm or even a 60mm fan instead. http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=98380&highlight=Dynatron

[Froggy]

I would cjheck to make sure that you are getting good contact with the core by checking the thermal paste "footprint". As long as that is good, I would also suggest sticking to a smaller fan mounted directly to the HS in order to strip away the heat from the HS effectively. Don't listen to the earlier posters that don't appear to know what they are talking about! Both Houserat and Joe Camel both HIGHLY respected extreme OCer's use that HS for extreme video card cooling. Not to mention that Viper John use that HS or 1 similar for the exact same reasons.

[BooStFeD]

I would cjheck to make sure that you are getting good contact with the core by checking the thermal paste "footprint". As long as that is good, I would also suggest sticking to a smaller fan mounted directly to the HS in order to strip away the heat from the HS effectively. Don't listen to the earlier posters that don't appear to know what they are talking about! Both Houserat and Joe Camel both HIGHLY respected extreme OCer's use that HS for extreme video card cooling. Not to mention that Viper John use that HS or 1 similar for the exact same reasons.

I agree with you 100%. Rechecking for good contact between the HS an GPU, and using a smaller fan on the HS to create more direct pressure over its surface area should yeild some nice temp. drops ;)

[tommcd64]

I have the accelero x2 and my loads temps never go above 60C with the oc in my sig.

[Froggy]

That is impressive for an air cooler tom. I would presume you have very good case airflow as well!

[tommcd64]

That is impressive for an air cooler tom. I would presume you have very good case airflow as well!

Very good airflow. I believe it is the best case for air cooling that I have ever owned. It is a ufo cube. Here are some older pictures of it:
http://www.tommcdonald.net/images/top.jpg
http://www.tommcdonald.net/images/side.jpg
http://www.tommcdonald.net/images/front.jpg

[Froggy]

Ah yes the UFO case..I will end up there eventually. I made detour with a CM Stacker for now!