Best Video Card Cooler?

[sLaM]

Hey, was hoping someone here could help me solve a simple question.

I read this thread (http://forums.overclockers.ws/vb/showthread.php?threadid=35853&highlight=Best+video+cooler) on best coolers for your GPU.

There are 2 there listed:

The AOC Copper Low Profile Rackmount and the Low profile Alpha Pal 15U.

Which one do you guys find is the best choice?

The Alpha from what I've heard is really nice, but the heatsink isn't pure copper, where as the other cooler's heatsink is pure copper.

Was hoping someone might have some first hand knowledge in regards to these coolers.

Thanks in advance for any help! :)

[Silversinksam]

I've modded both and the Alpha pal 15u or the alpha pal 153 eats the AOC for breakfast but thats not to say the AOC isn't a great GPU cooler, especially at half the price.


Here's a good shootout, judge for yourself. Just keep in mind that the Alpha pal 153 is 60mm sqr and needs slight modification to the top left corner if your sticking this on a Radeon 8500. On a GF2 or GF3 it should fit with no modification.


http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1571&p=2


Heres a Vendor that has a 153 if you go that route (http://www.inflowdirect.com/newalfcpal152.html) PS Welcome to the forums;)

[Pinky]

Video cards generate some heat, but not as much as system CPUs. The fact it isn't all copper should not scare you from the Alpha. They are damn good heatsinks and plenty for any video cards (you see what they put on these things in the factory :p !!).

[NovaCX12]

I just recieved this today =)

http://www.overclockershideout.com/images/oncardlrg.gif http://www.overclockershideout.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/front2.gif

[Silversinksam]

Pretty nice H20 cooler, Heres the $99 version

http://www.cool-computers.com/site/content/1.Online%20Store/GF3%20Cooler//images/GF3_installed.jpg


Here's Bladerunner's


http://www.dwpg.com/stealth/5/asusv8200watercooled.jpg


http://www.dwpg.com/stealth/1/

[sLaM]

Ok, the replies have helped a lot. I think I'm going to go with the Alpha cooler after reading what Silversinksam was saying.

I'm totally new to any of this kind of cooling. I'm guessing those pics are water cooling for your video cards? And in regards to the Alpha fan.....when I put it on, should it be blowing onto the heatsink, or like an exhaust where it blows air away from the heatsink?

The one and only thing I've gotten so far is a modded Full Tower Lian-Li case. It will probably sound like a 747, but I'm not too worried about the noise.

I'll get this cooler for my GF3, and I have some heatinks for the RAM as well.

I'll be getting some PC2700 RAM, but from what I've read (the small amount that is) RAM coolers don't seem to be that effective. True?

For the Heatsink I got a Thermalright SK6 and a Delta 60x38mm High Output Fan (Air Flow 50 CFM - Power 14.4 W - Fan Speed 8000 RPM) to go on top.

Any particular other suggestions? Like I said the only thing I've really gotten is the case (oh and heatsink/fan) so if there are any recommendations you have I'd love to hear 'em.

And thanks for the welcome to the board! :)

[Silversinksam]

Slam,

I tried the Alpha both Blowing and sucking, but since the Alpha 153 has no shroud it performs better blowing on the heatsink.

Also since your going to be using ramsinks, be sure to use arctic Alumina as its non capacitive and it should not short your card out if you have a mishap and get it on the memory pins..

Be sure to use masking tape and tape the memory pins just for good measure


Ps , Yes those are h2o coolers for your video card, sweet huh


pss Give this a read on affixing the Alpha and ramsinks:

http://www.overclockers.com/tips759/