Reply to this thread
Forum question
Started by timz45 | | 5 answers
Hey all,
To start, my specific card is the PowerColor AX7970 3GBD5-2DHV3 Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16, seen here. I want to use the Arctic Accelero Xtreme IV 280(X), seen here. Arctic's old model made for the 7970 is discontinued, so I called them and asked and they said that this cooling unit is compatible with HD7970s with the standard PCB. I looked around, and I can't find anywhere if my specific HD7970 is the "standard" PCB, and whether this cooling unit will fit my card without a problem. I tried calling PowerColor directly, and the second I mentioned an aftermarket cooling unit, they refused to talk to me any further, saying they do not support aftermarket coolers whatsoever. Any chance anyone has any experience using these two items together, or at least any experience using the Arctic cooler? I don't want to get it only to run into major issues, because after taking a quick look at this installation instructions, it looks like it's going to be a doozy. PowerColor offered to replace the one on my card for $60, but I don't want to wait for months if I can pay a few dollars more and get it right away, and a better one at that.
Also, if anyone has ANY experience at all replacing the cooling units on GFX cards, any tips/pointers would be appreciated. This is ground I have not traveled before. Thanks!
Tim
To start, my specific card is the PowerColor AX7970 3GBD5-2DHV3 Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16, seen here. I want to use the Arctic Accelero Xtreme IV 280(X), seen here. Arctic's old model made for the 7970 is discontinued, so I called them and asked and they said that this cooling unit is compatible with HD7970s with the standard PCB. I looked around, and I can't find anywhere if my specific HD7970 is the "standard" PCB, and whether this cooling unit will fit my card without a problem. I tried calling PowerColor directly, and the second I mentioned an aftermarket cooling unit, they refused to talk to me any further, saying they do not support aftermarket coolers whatsoever. Any chance anyone has any experience using these two items together, or at least any experience using the Arctic cooler? I don't want to get it only to run into major issues, because after taking a quick look at this installation instructions, it looks like it's going to be a doozy. PowerColor offered to replace the one on my card for $60, but I don't want to wait for months if I can pay a few dollars more and get it right away, and a better one at that.
Also, if anyone has ANY experience at all replacing the cooling units on GFX cards, any tips/pointers would be appreciated. This is ground I have not traveled before. Thanks!
Tim
timz45
October 16, 2014 9:18:18 PM
tominsac said:
timz45 said:
tominsac said:
just have patience and prior to placing heat sinks clean the chips with pencil eraser. read the instructions and try to find videos on youtubeYou mean to clean these prior to placing the heatsinks? What will be on them? Thermal residue from the original heatsinks? And do you place the thermal pads directly on these chips? From looking at the instructions, it looks like you place the pads on the backside of the card, NOT directly on the chips.
Different than the Arctic that I had, sorry. I replaced coolers on my cards 1 was an arctic but it had sinks for mem and such, just read instructions a couple of times before you do it, I did it..so can you
Thanks man. I'm sure I'll be successful in the end, but sometimes the process makes me want to break everything around me. Patience is def. key!
tominsac
October 16, 2014 9:16:53 PM
timz45 said:
tominsac said:
just have patience and prior to placing heat sinks clean the chips with pencil eraser. read the instructions and try to find videos on youtubeYou mean to clean these prior to placing the heatsinks? What will be on them? Thermal residue from the original heatsinks? And do you place the thermal pads directly on these chips? From looking at the instructions, it looks like you place the pads on the backside of the card, NOT directly on the chips.
Different than the Arctic that I had, sorry. I replaced coolers on my cards 1 was an arctic but it had sinks for mem and such, just read instructions a couple of times before you do it, I did it..so can you
timz45
October 16, 2014 8:59:22 PM
tominsac said:
just have patience and prior to placing heat sinks clean the chips with pencil eraser. read the instructions and try to find videos on youtubeYou mean to clean these prior to placing the heatsinks? What will be on them? Thermal residue from the original heatsinks? And do you place the thermal pads directly on these chips? From looking at the instructions, it looks like you place the pads on the backside of the card, NOT directly on the chips.
tominsac
October 16, 2014 8:48:48 PM
ThatVietGuy
October 16, 2014 8:46:51 PM
I just put an Arctic Accelero Xtreme (first model) on a Sapphire R9 290 last night. It's a tedious job, but very doable.
Since the original Accelero was meant for an HD 7970 and I managed to put it on a new R9 290, I think it's safe to say that the cooler meant for the newer R9s will fit on the older HD 7970.
Since the original Accelero was meant for an HD 7970 and I managed to put it on a new R9 290, I think it's safe to say that the cooler meant for the newer R9s will fit on the older HD 7970.
See all answers