9800XT mod it for air?

[oc-rookie]

Should I do the mods for my 9800XT? I don't plan on doing phase change or water cooling. Just air. Is it worth it?

[charlie]

no.
Just remove the HS/F apparatus and apply a better TIM, like Ceramique and bend the retention spring clip a bit to make sure sure the contact is good with some extra pressure. If one was really into it, they'd replace the oem HS/F with a good P3/AMD HS/F and put ramchips on the DDR. A good XT will go 470/425 inside a case stock!

C

[oc-rookie]

I've benched it at 493/411. Artifacts galore but oh well. So no aftermarket pre-made cooler? Noise is of no issue to me....... I'd just like to hand me down this card to my brother when I get a new one, that's why no phase or water.

Thanks

[Arkangyl]

you could always get a Zalman Heatpipe aparatus and put a fan on it, hell, considereing people get good results with a littly 10cfm fan I'm sure a decent 80mm will get great results whilst keep eardrums alive...

[oc-rookie]

How are those Zalman's? I'll put a tornado on anything if it'll help......

[charlie]

Well, if you want extreme air, just buy an Alpha PAL6035 HS/F and tap two holes in the copper base corresponding to the ATI pattern, use #4 screws and you're good to go!

C

[oc-rookie]

Cool, the Jedi as has spoken.........

TIM for the core....... AS3/5 or the ceramique? Overdrive reports 42-44 idle right now. I'd like to bench it at 500 and maybe a bit more on the memory.

Thanks

Edit* 6035 or 8045? Did you say 6035 for a particular reason? I'd like to use an 80-92 without an adaptor.