x1950xt cooling - IceQ3 or Zalman VF-700 ?

[SuperZ]

I'm thinking about getting an x1950xt, and am trying to decide between the HIS version or the Sapphire.

HIS has the IceQ3 cooling system, whereas Sapphire has a generic blower cooling system.

What would be better, getting the HIS or getting the Sapphire and replacing the cooling with the zalman?

Both will come out the same cost (HIS with no modified cooling or Sapphire + I buy zalman and it will be same total cost as the HIS )


Which of these two options will help me overclock the best?



Also: will my Antec Smartpower 2.0 450w be enough to power this card for now? (i'll buy a new PSU in a few months?)

[Froggy]

The VF900 is not enough for the 1950XT, much less the VF700. Ideally you would buy a Thermalright HR-03 and have all the cooling you will need.

[bloodshedder]

Disclaimer: I'm no expert on this, but here's my 2 cents:

I have the HIS X1900 XT IceQ3. I like it because it blows the hot air out the back of the case.

Right now I've got it OC'd to 688.50/810 with no artifacts and I just ran 3DMark 06 with a score of 6811.

By the way, my load temps are 67C moffset, 70C GPU and 48C GPU Environment. That's according to ATI Tool after 10 minutes of artifact scanning. 3DMark never pushed the GPU above 65C.

I also think I'm going to remount the IceQ3 with a good TIM and throw some sinks on the memory and maybe moffsets too. I'll check back in with temps after that's done.

Oh, I also have an Antec Vcool (I actually got two because using two extensions almost lines the fan directly under the IceQ3 fan) feeding the IceQ3.

[SuperZ]

Ok so I guess the VF-700 is out of the options :)

Now for my other question, do u guys think my Antec Smartpower 450w provides enough amps (for now atleast)?

It has two rails with 15a on one and 17am on the other, for a combined 32a



bloodshedder: how loud is the IceQ at full blast?

[bloodshedder]

You know, I really don't know exactly how it relates to the total amps and amps per rail of your PSU, but at my current 1900 OC, ATI Tool says it's pulling 32.7 amps under load. That's with the VGPU @ 1.475v, VDDC @ 2.105v & VDDQ @ 2.094v.

I'm sure someone much more knowledgeable than I can tell you if your PSU will be enough. I tend to think it's not going to be able to support that 1950.

[Dark Marauder]

I have the ATi Radeon X1950XT and just used the standard cooling. Seems to work just fine, and it's pretty quiet too.

[bloodshedder]

bloodshedder: how loud is the IceQ at full blast?

Sorry, didn't see your question until now. To tell you the truth, I honestly don't know. I have it set to 100% through ATITool when I'm pushing it but the YS-Tech 120mmx38mm 125.5 CFM fan on my HSF is the only thing I can hear!

[bloodshedder]

Right now I've got it OC'd to 688.50/810 with no artifacts and I just ran 3DMark 06 with a score of 6811.

By the way, my load temps are 67C moffset, 70C GPU and 48C GPU Environment. That's according to ATI Tool after 10 minutes of artifact scanning. 3DMark never pushed the GPU above 65C.

I also think I'm going to remount the IceQ3 with a good TIM and throw some sinks on the memory and maybe moffsets too. I'll check back in with temps after that's done.

Oh, I also have an Antec Vcool (I actually got two because using two extensions almost lines the fan directly under the IceQ3 fan) feeding the IceQ3.

Quick update:

I did remount the IceQ3 and put some sinks on the memory. I also noticed the bar sink over the voltage regulators? was mounted at a slight angle. The thermal pad wasn't completely covering some of them near the end. I fixed that. I also upped the OC to 695.25/828 and my new temps are 61/67/44.

[ziggo0]

Is the VF900 enough for a x1800XL?

[ixq]

i used the VF900 on X1900GT quite overclocket.. so i dont see why its not enough for eny X1xxx... but i can recommend the ZALMAN Fatal1ty FC-ZV9.

[ViperJohn]

The VF900 is not enough for the 1950XT, much less the VF700. Ideally you would buy a Thermalright HR-03 and have all the cooling you will need.

Well hi Travis. x850XT modded 9/7/2005 right.

What are you running now?

ViperJohn

[mista ting]

HR-03