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Post by TRow on Jun 9, 2004 2:45:04 GMT -5
The Zalman ZM80C-HP and the Artic Cooling VGA Silencer Revision 3.
Zalman ZM80C-HP w/ Zalman ZMOP1 Noiseless Slim Fan  Both are very Good Choices for the 9800XT with AC Rev3. being the Better IMO.   For 9800XT User's This is Also Recommended:
 Looking for a way to boost you Frames Per Second? Having Trouble Running FarCry, and Other Graphic Intense Games? Try Rage3D Tweak!! www.rage3d.com/index.php?node=r3dtweakMy 9800XT is Running at 432/375 Constant and Stable with Stock Cooling!!! ======================================= **Update** This is Only Recommended for User's who have "artifact" testing software Like ATI Tool, and Futurmark's 3DMark03. Artifact Testing is Done to Calibrate the VGA Core and Memory Clocks to Optimal, Safe Levels. Artifacts are Memory Errors due to the Heat Generated in the transistors. Artifacts Can look like "White" or "Black" Snow-Like Objects found in "Mother Nature" or "Troll's Lair" in 3DMark03. Artifacts Are Bad!!! If you See Artifacts while conducting these Tests, This is a indication you Need to Turn YOUR CLOCKS DOWN!!! FarCry Is a Good Artifact Tester by Looking at the "Water" Upclose. Mother Nature and Troll's Lair are the Best!!! ======================================= Alot of people ask What is a Safe core/mem clock? Well the answer's differ among user because each Card's overclock ability is different. Yet alone Aftermarket coolers, compounds, case temps, etc....that will differ. For the 9800XT and Overdrive, the card will overclock based upon Case Temps using ATi's Drivers. The Max OC for a Stock 9800xt for Core is: 432 The Max OC for a Stock 9800xt for Mem is: 375 *These Are Factory, ATi Certified Driver Based Temp. Ranges. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- For My Particular Stage 4: Modified XPS *with NO 3Dmark03 Artifacts Core: 427 Mem:373 These are adjusted using Rage3D's Tweak. The core/mem Ranges will differ not only among User's, but with Games as well. Different Games have Different Thresholds. Ambient Temps Are a Huge Factor to Limiting Overclocking. For UT2K4@ 1184x864 AAx4 AAX8 I Overclock to: Core: 432 Mem: 375 The Frames per Second are Noticeably Different vs. Stock Core and Mem(412/365). T.RoW
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Post by TRow on Jun 14, 2004 8:18:37 GMT -5
Another Way to Better Cool your VideoCard: Remove The Cooler (3 Screws, 1 Retension Clip) *This Takes about 20 seconds, if you done it a couple times) Clean off the Old Gunk Thermal Paste: Use 90% Alcohol, Q Tips, Non-Lint Towel. Apply ArticSilver Ceramique, AS5, AS3(Pick One) *Directly Apply to Core,and Memory Chips....Apply to Cooler Base where you Cleaned Off Old Gunk/Thermal Pads. **INSTALLATION:ALWAYS Confirm the Copper Plate and the Core and Mem Chips are seated, Easily Done with Flash light, and Good Vision. Its an Easy, EASY way to drop your Temps about 3-5c....And Maximize your Overclock withOUT Artifacts. *I Know these are generalizations, because this isn't that hard, and could be done by an experienced User in less than 10minutes. ======================================= Results: No Artifacts Now Vs. Spotted Concentration of "Artifacts" on Left Margin Area of Screen During Mother Nature Test. All the Testing Conditions were the Same. *PS I got bored Saturday Night and did this little mod.  T.RoW |
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Post by jpsurratt2005 on Jun 27, 2004 3:55:47 GMT -5
I think the VGA Silencer XT edition is out or will be out shortly. I have the VGA Silencer on my 9600xt and my load temps went from 47C to 34C. Awesome cooler, even better price.
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Post by TRow on Jun 27, 2004 4:26:42 GMT -5
Welcome to the boards,
I noticed the stock cooling plate had a raised area for better contact with the VGA. Did you have any probs with the seating the cooler on the shim while mainting contact with the Core?
It does look like a cheap and effective way to cool these heat mongers. Anyone "Lap" there heatplates? I read somewhere the A.C. Silencer comes rough with a lot of grooves on the heatplate.
If you can post some pics of your pc/card, that would be much appreciated. Let us know, Thanks and Welcome to the Ultimate XPS Forums.
T.RoW
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Post by TRow on Jul 16, 2004 11:02:24 GMT -5
I purchased this at PCToyland.com this morning,and compared prices/shipping and the STILL were cheaper. AC Rev3 AS-5  OCZ BGA Ramsinks 8 Count...  X800XT in stock is a F#%!n joke, Im bored too ;D T.RoW |
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Post by TRow on Jul 21, 2004 19:39:20 GMT -5
This should be here on Friday, but I might (try to) wait to mod the card til Monday when Im off...well see. Doom3 is less than 2 weeks away, and this card will be ready. I doubt Ill document the mod because of the low level difficulty, and install sites already in existance.
This will hopefully get me in the 440+/380+ clocks Im looking for. Crank Farcry w/ moderate AA and AF, runs like a Dream at these speeds. All this in preparation for in stock x800xt's.
T.RoW
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Post by TRow on Jul 23, 2004 20:35:03 GMT -5
 No artifacts, Load Temp: 65c, Idle Temp: 59c This is the first successful run, with the core showing more room to overclock. These products are a must have, and they lowered the case temp a couple degrees load. T.RoW |
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Post by dano104 on Jul 24, 2004 13:01:23 GMT -5
Sweet, I would love to add after market cooling to my gpu!
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Post by avsforsberg21 on Jul 26, 2004 15:28:20 GMT -5
Trow what do you use to overclock? I use the Overdrive feature in ATI Control Panel. Do you use an additional program? It looks like it from screenshot but unsure.
How is the weight on the card? A buddy of mine said after a period of time the weight could damage the card as in his case after about 3 months.
I am trying to gather as much information on all of them before making the purchase. I want to maximize the 9800XT especially now that the X800XT PLATINUM is out. If I only waiting a little longer before purchasing my XPS!!! Woulda Coulda Shoulda!
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Post by dano104 on Jul 26, 2004 17:39:23 GMT -5
Post some picts of your new rod T.Row! I'm excited to see the new look.
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Post by TRow on Jul 26, 2004 20:54:48 GMT -5
Trow what do you use to overclock? I use the Overdrive feature in ATI Control Panel. Do you use an additional program? It looks like it from screenshot but unsure. How is the weight on the card? A buddy of mine said after a period of time the weight could damage the card as in his case after about 3 months. I am trying to gather as much information on all of them before making the purchase. I want to maximize the 9800XT especially now that the X800XT PLATINUM is out. If I only waiting a little longer before purchasing my XPS!!! Woulda Coulda Shoulda! To overclock I use Rage3d Tweak 3.9, Ive been very satisfied with this program and have yet to try ATi Tool, Omega, or other's because of this reason. Be sure to research the Rage3d Forums for more in depth information about safe overclocking, artifact testing, etc... www.rage3d.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=22======================================= Weight Issue: You got a good point, though I haven't seen much debate on this issue on Rage3d forums. Some things I noticed.... The Stock ATi 9800XT Heatplate/Heatsink Combo is heavy as well, rough comparison to the Silencer. The BGA Ramsinks are real HEAVY, I would recommend getting Aluminum versions if weight is a concern, because the Copper version is Dense. With that said, I doubt a VGA Silencer alone will bend,bow, etc the VGA card. Coupled with the Ramsinks you might be borderline, but as long as your careful when moving/transporting your case, I don't believe there would be any issues. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Overclocking using Rage3d is pretty simplistic, and doesn't require a lot of tweaking to get started. The VGA Silencer is a must have: FarCry VGA: 436/375 Settings: Very High ALL AA: Medium AF: x4 Resolution: 1024x768 FarCry Patch 1.2 No Artifacts...Ever *Best Playable Framerates Ive EVER seen, the detail will Freak you out. Seriously, Fluid, Fluid movement and detail. T.RoW *Pics Coming SOON! ! ! ;D |
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Post by avsforsberg21 on Jul 26, 2004 21:37:28 GMT -5
Trow,
Did you have any problems with the AC Rev3 install since their guide says it doesn't support the 9800XT card?
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Post by TRow on Jul 27, 2004 6:29:43 GMT -5
Trow, Did you have any problems with the AC Rev3 install since their guide says it doesn't support the 9800XT card? Not at all, the install almost went too smooth. Getting the Heatplate off is probably the hardest part because of the Thermal Tape used. I did a test install to make sure the heatsink surface made good contact with the Core. Very Easy Install, though the directions are useless. Also, the Fan Plug on the stock cooler is a Beast to get off, I almost yanked the WHOLE connector off, and had to push the connector housing back down on the pins. So don't freak if the connector looks like its going to come off, be patient. T.RoW |
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Post by avsforsberg21 on Jul 30, 2004 18:41:12 GMT -5
Where do the ramsinks go on the card? Are they easy to install? Any pictures you can share regarding this latest phase?
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Post by TRow on Aug 1, 2004 7:13:23 GMT -5
Where do the ramsinks go on the card? Are they easy to install? Any pictures you can share regarding this latest phase? The Ramsinks are attached to the memory chips on the card, 8 of them. I used the Thermal Tape that came with them. This is my latest overclock/benchmark score:  The Card was clocked at 450/382, and showed artifacts on the left lower corner of the Screen. Yes I broke 7K but, I won't have any use for these clocks. To Compare to my results, Click the link below: service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=2866881 T.RoW |
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Post by avsforsberg21 on Aug 1, 2004 13:28:21 GMT -5
Wow! The 7000 barrier is broken. Nice Job. Sounds like you are tuned up for D3 & HL2.
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Post by TRow on Aug 3, 2004 7:24:02 GMT -5
Wow! The 7000 barrier is broken. Nice Job. Sounds like you are tuned up for D3 & HL2. I will have the comparison for Doom3 on Stock vs. Overclock this afternoon. And I can't wait, though I read a article on Anandtech today, and the contents of which looked...well you be the judge. www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2146T.RoW Edit: This waiting suxxors! |
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Post by TRow on Aug 6, 2004 20:01:57 GMT -5
In my many experiments and tweakage Ive discovered a couple of things. One, Doom3 is not very overclocking friendly. Two, Cat 3.9 drivers are better for overclocking vs. the Cat 3.7, as in less artifacting at Higher clocks(at least for D3) Ive recently been toying with the idea of Cutting a Window Intake for the VGA/NB/CPU, to Increase Cold Airflow over the Mem modules. Before bustin' out the Dremel, I simply Repositioned the 80mm HDD Fan closer to the Heat Sources. Meaning, I secured the Fan at the Open End of the HDD Cage Directly Below where the IDE Cable attaches to the HDD. This seemed to minimize artifacting in 3Dmark03 and Doom3. To better Illustrate: The 80mm Fan you see in the HDD Cage Mounted to the Case, is Now Positioned Directly Beneath where the IDE Cables/ Molex Power Connector Attach the the HDD. Basically, Flush Mounted Closest to the Video Card, basically moving it closer to VGA/NB/and CPU.  Note: I did see a small 1 degree rise in Load temps for Mem/Chipset most likely caused by warmer than normal ambients. I was able to successfully run 3Dmark03 with no artifacts at 441/375 but PS 2.0 testing showed many artifacts on the small Rhino, and none on the Elephant. Running this same test with 3.7's at similar clocks I had no artifacts on PS 2.0 test. So this could be software side. All in all, definately a cooler config. I would recommend this config if you plan to overclock for extended periods. T.RoW |
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