HD2600XT and HD2600PRO differences

[Lorenzo Sandini]

Hello,

I am using an HD2600XT in my HTPC, and the hottest component is without
any doubt the gfx card. I don't use it for gaming at all, and it's
passively cooled. It gets very hot to touch, keeping the inside of the
case warm as well. The system is very stable and is wife-compatible in
the living room.

I'll receive a HD2600PRO for another HTPC project, and I could well swap
the cards if there is no other difference than the clock speeds and
resulting temps. You might want to ask why I want lower temps if the
system works fine... well the PSU is semi-passive and its fan kicks in
when the air inside the case is too warm. I hope to keep it more silent
that way.

I found a comparison here :

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/radeon_hd_2600_performance_preview/

.... and I am not sure what version of the 2600XT I am using, since I
bought it used. Is there any utility to help me identify the card, other
than pulling it out of the case ?

Thank you !

Lorenzo

 

[Robert McMillan]

You should be able to underclock the HD2600XT, and as you are not gaming on
it the speed will be fine but it will run cooler with a lower clock speed.

 

[Lorenzo Sandini]

I don't think it will matter much. Video cards after the Radeon X1K series
all downclock and down-voltage themselves in 2D mode. In fact, the voltage
reduction provides the biggest temperature benefit.

I think Lorenzo simply has an unrealistic expectation of system cooling. A
passively-cooled video card doesn't mean fanless operation; it means a case
fan (which is typically larger and quieter than a video card fan) needs to
be in place to provide the airflow. Totally fanless cooling is very
difficult to achieve with "mainstream" PC components simply because natural
convection is less effective than forced convection by orders of magnitude.

Well,

I am really realistic on the contrary, and the current case is well
ventilated, with airflow running exaclty where is should. In fact it's a
nice stable combination of sufficient airflow and silence. CPU is 42C on
a passive Scythe Ninja mini cooler.

I have a Zalman HD160plus case, with both 8cm fans replaced by Noctua
fans, speed is regulated and they are pretty inaudible from the sofa
where I sit, the case being placed about 4m from it. These are actually
the only fans in the system

Pushing a bit the 2 x 8cm fans, the case air gets cooler and the Antec
phantom PSU remains passive. Slowing down the fans the case temp
increases, and the PSU fans kicks in from time to time, which I'd like
to avoid. Nothing unrealistic about that.

I guess I'll have to leave the fans at a bit higher rpm count, that's
all. An active cooler on the 2600XT, exhausting the heat directly out of
the case would be an alternative, but I doubt I'll find anything silent
enough.

Lorenzo