Best GeForce 6800 GT Cooling Solution

[GenStryker]

Here's the deal - I'm planning to get a GeForce 6800 GT for my upcoming system. However, I don't know which one of the current 6800 GT options has the best cooling performance - MSI, Gainward, Chaintech, eVGA, BFG... as I plan to overclock it later on. Also, any suggestions on separate high-performance VGA cooler/heatsinks for the 6800 GT? Thanks in advance.

 

[PukePile]

As far as i know they all use the same reference cooler except the BFG and there cooler sucks.


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[Mr5oh]

Most of the 6800GTs use the same heatsink, BFG does use a different one, but it really isn't much better.

LeadTek is known for their heatsinks. I have always read they are great for overclocking, as they always have huge heatsinks. Personally I had a LeadTek TI4400, and a TI4600, both with massive heatsinks, dual fans, and I must say both cards impressed me. Both overclocked very well.

LeadTek 6800GT:

<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-122-195&depa=0" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-122-195&depa=0</A>

Check out the picture, and you will see what I am talking about.



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[Mr5oh]

If you don't get a LeadTek, there are aftermarket coolers:

<A HREF="http://www.frozencpu.com/cgi-bin/frozencpu/vid-43.html" target="_new">http://www.frozencpu.com/cgi-bin/frozencpu/vid-43.html</A>



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[rocket_sauce]

Sorry...new here...

Doesn't the BFG model have a water cooling block as an upgrade and also they overclock there's and garantee them. If you guys are right about the heatsink/fans sucking for them wouldn't the water cooled solution be the best??? Just asking...

 

[Mr5oh]

No the stock heatsinks aren't horrible. They work good, and will even allow you to mildly overclock the card. Watercooling and massive heatsinks are for the people trying to get that last 20 mhz out of the core.

Never heard of the BFG water block upgrade, but probably just haven't seen it. You can buy water blocks for any 6800, but they are still a little pricey at the moment.

Watercooling isn't necessary, and you could use the stock heatsink, especially if you aren't try for an extreme overclock. The manufacturers aren't going to ship a product with a junk heatsink. Some people just prefer "better" heatsinks.

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[GenStryker]

I've spoken to a lot of people about this, and it seems Gainward's GF6800 GT Golden Sample is pretty much what I'm looking for - Powerful cooling solution to make a GT run at Ultra speeds without worries, since thats what they guarantee - Thus I don't really care about fan noises since I use headphones, therefore having a fan spinning at 5000+ RPM ain't a big deal.

Any thoughts on this? Oh and do not consider water cooling as an option, I'll explain why later. Post your thoughts and/or suggestions...

 

[Mr5oh]

Powerful cooling solution to make a GT run at Ultra speeds without worries, <b>since thats what they guarantee</b>

Who guarantees? I'm sure Gainward doesn't say it will run Ultra speeds are they return it?

Anyways, Gainward does have a better heatsink than most.

Never owned a Gainward, so can't say anything about them.

Have owned two LeadTeks so far, and can say nothing but positive things about their heatsinks.

Personally I'm still in favor of the LeadTek card, its heatsink is larger. The gainward is tall because of the fans, the LeadTek is just huge, even though it only has one fan, vs. two that the Gainward has. You need surface area to dispate heat, and the LeadTek has much more surface area exposed to air than the Gainward.

Also the Gainward has to use the adapter to plug in a regular monitor, though this isn't any sort of big deal, I personally don't care for this. I never can seem to get the adapter screwed on there tight enough, to hold the monitor plug solid, it always seems to hang down a little, though not a big deal, it bothers me.

However, you may want to go with the Gainward, sounds like you have talked to enough people who know for a fact that it will do what you want, and that is what is important.

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[GenStryker]

Well, in fact they guarantee the "Golden Sample" version can be overclocked much higher if compared to its standard version - I also spoke to many people and read as much reviews showing this GS version to reach Ultra's clocks with stock cooling and insignificant temperature changes.

 

[Mr5oh]

Ultra's clocks with stock cooling and insignificant temperature changes.

Imagine my suprise when I overclocked the crap out of my 6800 and my temps dropped! I couldn't figure out what had happened? Turned out my fan had sped up to cool it better.

I can understand them saying the Golden Sample version will overclocked higher, I was thinking they were guaranteeing that it would hit Ultra speeds, and with overclocking there are no guarantees.

Anyways sounds like the Gainward is the way to go. I normally am the only LeadTek active advocate around here, most people say good things about the Gainward cards, not sure why no one else has popped in.


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[El_Jefe_77]

Gainward has my vote, then watercool it when its a viable cash option.

"Watercooling isn't necessary, and you could use the stock heatsink, especially if you aren't try for an extreme overclock. The manufacturers aren't going to ship a product with a junk heatsink. Some people just prefer "better" heatsinks" wrote someone on here.

PNY ships out nvidia cards with completely crappy heatsinks. the two 5900 something series cards my friend bought all fried in a 2-3 days from badly placed heatsinks from the company. the company gave him a check back for each one he bought instantly. thats a bad sign.

he has an ati 9800 AIWonder now fun card.

basically, gainward looks fine, His looks cool too, i just dont like that name, you cant really explain to people who's card you have, besides sounding like its from your boyfriend.