can I change the cooler/ fan on my graphics card?

[32andtwentyseven]

Can I change the cooler/ fan on my graphics card?

I have a GeForce 7950 GT and 2 free PCI-E slots on my mobo. I recently
replaced by near-silent PSU, and now the noise that bugs me is the
graphics card fan.

What is a good solution?

Thanks!

 

[Frank McCoy]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt 32andtwentyseven

Can I change the cooler/ fan on my graphics card?

I have a GeForce 7950 GT and 2 free PCI-E slots on my mobo. I recently
replaced by near-silent PSU, and now the noise that bugs me is the
graphics card fan.

What is a good solution?

Some fans are "standard".
Most are not.
In many cases, all you can do is get an RMA from the manufacturer and
have them replace the fan. Often that's not practical, even if the
board is still under warranty; because they won't replace the thing
*until* you send them the defective unit; leaving you without a
video-board for up to three weeks. Ouch!

Some places like COMPUSA have "universal replacement" fans for some
video boards; but you have to be careful ... they only fit *some*
boards.

I let my old ATI board remain in the machine when the fan started
growling. Eventually the board SHORTED OUT; taking the power-supply
with it ... and when I tried the board in another computer to be sure,
it blew out a trace on that motherboard! That sucker was REALLY
shorted!

Best start shopping for a reasonably priced replacement now.
(I got a new ATI board that does all the old one did, only faster,
cheaper, and without ANY fan on the board. Technology marches on.)

 

[don't look]

http://www.xpcgear.com/vgacooler.html

 

[Bob Knowlden]

There are third-party solutions:

http://www.thermalright.com/a_page/main_product_hr03_Rev_A.htm

http://www.zalmanusa.com/

http://www.arctic-cooling.com/vga2.php?idx=138

I have a Thermalright HR03 Plus on an 8800GTX card. It's huge, and covers
multiple slots, but it works well.


return address scrambled. Replace nkbob with bobkn.

 

[Dennis Schmitz]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt 32andtwentyseven

Some fans are "standard".
Most are not.
In many cases, all you can do is get an RMA from the manufacturer and
have them replace the fan. Often that's not practical, even if the
board is still under warranty; because they won't replace the thing
*until* you send them the defective unit; leaving you without a
video-board for up to three weeks. Ouch!

Some places like COMPUSA have "universal replacement" fans for some
video boards; but you have to be careful ... they only fit *some*
boards.

I let my old ATI board remain in the machine when the fan started
growling. Eventually the board SHORTED OUT; taking the power-supply
with it ... and when I tried the board in another computer to be sure,
it blew out a trace on that motherboard! That sucker was REALLY
shorted!

Best start shopping for a reasonably priced replacement now.
(I got a new ATI board that does all the old one did, only faster,
cheaper, and without ANY fan on the board. Technology marches on.)

--
_____
/ ' / T
,-/-, __ __. ____ /_
(_/ / (_(_/|_/ / <_/ <_

Hi Frank,

Which ATI card did you get?

Would you tell me a little bit about it? At least the name so I can look it
up.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[Frank McCoy]

Which ATI card did you get?

Same kind I always get:
"All In Wonder" card.
This one:
http://ati.amd.com/products/radeon9600/aiw2006/index.html
They have later versions and PCI Xpress versions.

Oh yeah: The 2006 version (above) did *not* have the FM radio that the
previous one had. But, since I never used that feature, I didn't miss
it.

Would you tell me a little bit about it? At least the name so I can look it
up.

http://ati.amd.com/products/multimedia.html
The "All In Wonder" series is just what it sounds like:
An all-in-one card:
Super fast graphics, Video tuner, huge memory, video editing, super fast
video decoding (MPG, etc.) and so forth; yet at a much lower cost than
separate boards.

ATI boards though *can* be a bit of a headache to install if you've had
earlier ATI boards in the system. Their software removal tool (like
that of Norton) kinda sucks.

But, once installed right, they're great!
Essentially they start with a super-fast GPU, lots of on-board memory,
and the usual gaming stuff, THEN they add on a TV-Tuner, video I/O, and
LOTS of video software for doing stuff like with what you have on DVD,
Television, or just junk loaded off the net.
All integrated nicely into one big package.

With it, I can watch TV on my computer at the same time as I do my
"normal" stuff, surf the Net, browse newsgroups, edit files, or
whatever. I can have it as a window, running as "live" wallpaper, or
taking up the whole screen like a "regular" TV. Nothing on the computer
slows down for the TV; as it's completely separate hardware on the
board. You can game using the video board at the same time you watch
TV; and neither one interferes with the other. If the particular board
supports two monitors (most do) you can run the TV on one monitor while
gaming on the other; all without either slowing the other one.

You can use the TV to record and save, just like TIVO, if you want;
though that *does* slow things down a bit because of the disk-save.

Even though I don't use the TV function all that much, it's *so* handy
when I do want to work and check out some TV program at the same time, I
feel lost without it.

Of course, you *can* buy their TV-Tuner card separately (and fairly
cheaply too) and get pretty much the same functionality with just about
any video-card.

I'm not sure which models have or do-not-have fans; except the 2006 AGP
model I got didn't have one, while the previous release did.

 

[Pet Parker]

Can I change the cooler/ fan on my graphics card?

I have a GeForce 7950 GT and 2 free PCI-E slots on my mobo. I recently
replaced by near-silent PSU, and now the noise that bugs me is the
graphics card fan.

What is a good solution?

Thanks!

remove the card and place it flat on a table.

peel the sticker off the fan.

using a sewing machine oil bottle (one that has a very fine needle
applicator) place a couple of drops of oil onto the centre bearing. DON'T
put too much.

leave for an hour for it the penetrate, replace the sticker. If it does not
stick again, use a small piece if cellotape or similar.

install card and run.

I did this to a fairly noisy fan and have had no noise since.

dj

 

[32andtwentyseven]

remove the card and place it flat on a table.

peel the sticker off the fan.

using a sewing machine oil bottle (one that has a very fine needle
applicator) place a couple of drops of oil onto the centre bearing. DON'T
put too much.

leave for an hour for it the penetrate, replace the sticker. If it does not
stick again, use a small piece if cellotape or similar.

install card and run.

I did this to a fairly noisy fan and have had no noise since.

The fan doesn't have a problem. It is still as good as new.. I just
want a quieter solution

 

[Pet Parker]

The fan doesn't have a problem. It is still as good as new.. I just
want a quieter solution

ahha, a fan speed reducer might help then.

I have front and rear fans controlled by one of these items.

 

[Dennis Schmitz]

Same kind I always get:
"All In Wonder" card.
This one:
http://ati.amd.com/products/radeon9600/aiw2006/index.html
They have later versions and PCI Xpress versions.

Oh yeah: The 2006 version (above) did *not* have the FM radio that the
previous one had. But, since I never used that feature, I didn't miss
it.

http://ati.amd.com/products/multimedia.html
The "All In Wonder" series is just what it sounds like:
An all-in-one card:
Super fast graphics, Video tuner, huge memory, video editing, super fast
video decoding (MPG, etc.) and so forth; yet at a much lower cost than
separate boards.

ATI boards though *can* be a bit of a headache to install if you've had
earlier ATI boards in the system. Their software removal tool (like
that of Norton) kinda sucks.

But, once installed right, they're great!
Essentially they start with a super-fast GPU, lots of on-board memory,
and the usual gaming stuff, THEN they add on a TV-Tuner, video I/O, and
LOTS of video software for doing stuff like with what you have on DVD,
Television, or just junk loaded off the net.
All integrated nicely into one big package.

With it, I can watch TV on my computer at the same time as I do my
"normal" stuff, surf the Net, browse newsgroups, edit files, or
whatever. I can have it as a window, running as "live" wallpaper, or
taking up the whole screen like a "regular" TV. Nothing on the computer
slows down for the TV; as it's completely separate hardware on the
board. You can game using the video board at the same time you watch
TV; and neither one interferes with the other. If the particular board
supports two monitors (most do) you can run the TV on one monitor while
gaming on the other; all without either slowing the other one.

You can use the TV to record and save, just like TIVO, if you want;
though that *does* slow things down a bit because of the disk-save.

Even though I don't use the TV function all that much, it's *so* handy
when I do want to work and check out some TV program at the same time, I
feel lost without it.

Of course, you *can* buy their TV-Tuner card separately (and fairly
cheaply too) and get pretty much the same functionality with just about
any video-card.

I'm not sure which models have or do-not-have fans; except the 2006 AGP
model I got didn't have one, while the previous release did.

--
_____
/ ' / T
,-/-, __ __. ____ /_
(_/ / (_(_/|_/ / <_/ <_

Thanks frank, nice info.

I currently have the ATI All I Wonder Pro 32 MB AGP card on a tired old P2
400 with 512 RAM. Watching TV as I type this. I like the features on this
card and nice to see the card you linked to. I intend to build a new
,machine in the not too distant future and that will most likely be the
video I use. Probably in the PCIx format.

Thanks again,
Dennis

 

[Frank McCoy]

Thanks frank, nice info.

I currently have the ATI All I Wonder Pro 32 MB AGP card on a tired old P2
400 with 512 RAM. Watching TV as I type this. I like the features on this
card and nice to see the card you linked to. I intend to build a new
,machine in the not too distant future and that will most likely be the
video I use. Probably in the PCIx format.

Just a hint:
If you do, get one with at least 256 meg of onboard memory.
512 meg is better.

Right now, there's little to select between the AGP versions and the
PCIx types, except which motherboard you plan to install it on.
Oh yeah ... and that 2006 version that I have, doesn't have or need a
fan. I think that's a GREAT plus myself. Not only that, but it has
more (twice as much) memory as the card it replaced; and runs games and
such almost twice as fast with the later GPU. That allows me to run my
LCD panel display at FULL 1680x1050 resolution when the kid comes over
to run games like World Of Warcraft. I personally don't play such
games. The learning-curve is a bit too steep (IMO anyway) to get to the
fun parts ... especially when the people wanting you to play with them
are at level-60 and up.

There are names for a level-two player in a game with level-fifty
players ... cannon-fodder, or dead-meat come to mind.

So, I don't play.
Besides, if I did, where would I find time for the newsgroups?

 

[Dennis Schmitz]

Just a hint:
If you do, get one with at least 256 meg of onboard memory.
512 meg is better.

Right now, there's little to select between the AGP versions and the
PCIx types, except which motherboard you plan to install it on.
Oh yeah ... and that 2006 version that I have, doesn't have or need a
fan. I think that's a GREAT plus myself. Not only that, but it has
more (twice as much) memory as the card it replaced; and runs games and
such almost twice as fast with the later GPU. That allows me to run my
LCD panel display at FULL 1680x1050 resolution when the kid comes over
to run games like World Of Warcraft. I personally don't play such
games. The learning-curve is a bit too steep (IMO anyway) to get to the
fun parts ... especially when the people wanting you to play with them
are at level-60 and up.

There are names for a level-two player in a game with level-fifty
players ... cannon-fodder, or dead-meat come to mind.

So, I don't play.
Besides, if I did, where would I find time for the newsgroups?

--
_____
/ ' / T
,-/-, __ __. ____ /_
(_/ / (_(_/|_/ / <_/ <_

I am not a gamer at all either, just want to be able to convert old videos
to DVD before all the VCR's give out.

I tend to multi-task a bit too much and want a new machine that can handle
the processing requirements. Probably somewhere in the 500W PSU area, 2GB or
higher CPU, at least GB RAM. Would love to stay with 98SE, but don't think
the hardware will support the OS. I hear and see in the groups a lot of
horror stories about XP, and don't even want Vista. I don't like the issues
I see in the groups about XP's problems with reinstalling.

I guess, basically, I want a machine as strong as I can get, that will last
a long time in to the future.

Thanks for listening,
Dennis

 

[Frank McCoy]

I am not a gamer at all either, just want to be able to convert old videos
to DVD before all the VCR's give out.

Well, an ATI "All In Wonder" card will definitely do that.
I could use a working Betamax drive, if I could find one.
I've got three around here ... all with head problems. ;-{

 

[John Doe]

I tend to multi-task a bit too much and want a new machine that can
handle the processing requirements.

Apparently you're mostly mistaking operating system problems for
hardware problems.

Probably somewhere in the 500W PSU area, 2GB or higher CPU, at least
GB RAM. Would love to stay with 98SE, but don't think the hardware
will support the OS.

Either you have no idea what's going on in your computer or you are
trolling. Personally, I think that's a very good troll, really very
good.

Of course, it's not the hardware supporting the OS that would be your
problem, it would be your Windows 98SE not being able to support the
hardware (and the application use of that hardware, like it is now).

I hear and see in the groups a lot of horror stories about XP,

But in fact, Windows XP is marvelous compared to Windows 98 SE.
Windows XP was a step up from the gutter.

and don't even want Vista. I don't like the issues I see in the
groups about XP's problems with reinstalling.

Seeing issues that aren't there.

I guess, basically, I want a machine as strong as I can get, that
will last a long time in to the future.

Hardware isn't your main problem. Pre-Windows XP operating systems
suffered from very poor memory management. That's why you're having
trouble with multitasking.

You can do whatever you like, but your conclusions about Microsoft
operating systems are baseless.

Thanks for listening,

.... as he opens up another can of worms.