View Full Version : 5870 Air Cooling Question
Is it possible to keep the full heatsink plate, but use aftermarket air using the Square back plate mounting?
I'm sure there are a ton of components that are covered by the full plate :(
Brutuz
09-25-2009, 11:51 AM
I think you'd be able to use bolts or something to keep it on, with the proper insulation of course.
texasreefer
09-26-2009, 05:14 AM
Everyone is talking about aftermarket aircooling or waterblocks for the 5850/70s....did they do nothing to tame down the noise? With all the new hipe and new design are we still sure that they are noisy like the 4870s?
Chickenfeed
09-26-2009, 05:22 AM
Noise isn't that only reason to go aftermarket in fairness.
I've heard mixed opinions on the noise so far but hopefully I'll know first hand within the week. If it is quieter than my X2 on average, I'll be happy. Noise is a very subjective thing and I suppose it depends largely on your environment and usage habits ( eg are you someone who is often working on your computer in a quiet environment or are you always playing games / playing music through a surround setup or headphones )
texasreefer
09-26-2009, 05:55 AM
Noise is the only reason I am watercooling. I have used every series of ATi cards including 1950xxs and exluding 2900s and 5800s. Yeah some of the ATI cards run a little hot, but they are specified for temps up to 100C so in the past i would just ignore the temps at load. When the 4870s came out it was opposite, the temps were low, but the cards were loud.
As for my X2s, once they hit 70C they would blast at 100%. I couldn't even run 3dmark once and not have them fire up. I tried all the catalyst mods, and running the blower at different speeds, but in the end watercooled. NOw they load at 55-60C and are virtually quiet.
A good sound comparison from 5870 to 4870 would be a damn good posting!
Chickenfeed
09-26-2009, 06:46 PM
Many of the launch bios for 4870x2s had terrible fan profiles and like you mentioned would ramp up to 100%. Mine never had that issue. I still find it louder than I would like but never was able to get a water block for it as it was having issues and I was trying to get it replaced for months.
Of all the current ATI cards, the 4870 512 is the most quiet without a doubt. Haven't heard about how the 5850 is yet but I expect it to be similarly quiet.
I expect we shall see some aftermarket coolers soon enough. My only issue with the majority of aftermarket air is the bleed all the heat into the chassis as they never make them with an exhaust.
As far as the back plate goes I see no reason why you'd need to remove it. It helps with the memory on the back side of the PCB and although with adequate airflow it would be okay without, It would certainly be nice to leave it on. I know with the launch GTX2xx cards as well as the 4870x2 that most water blocks installed without removing the back plates so I doubt the 5800s are any different but don't quote me on that.
iandh
09-26-2009, 07:09 PM
This is the coolest running high end card I've ever owned by far... right now idling at 42C. Haven't seen it pass 60C at load.
Granted, running at stock, but I see this card having fairly decent headroom even on the stock cooler.
Mr. K6
09-26-2009, 11:57 PM
Yah, the 5870 is a very quiet, cool running card. Using the auto fan control, mine idles at 36C at 21% fan speed and loads at ~77C and 31% fan speed in most games and 86C and 40% fan speed in Furmark.
texasreefer
09-27-2009, 05:37 AM
What about performance? You guys should put 3dmark06 and vantage scores in your sig. I am very curious bc I am sitting pretty with 2 x 4870 X2s. With all new series that have come out there are goods and bads... as far as user feedback. e.g. the whole whinning issue
FragMagnet
09-28-2009, 05:32 AM
What about performance? You guys should put 3dmark06 and vantage scores in your sig. I am very curious bc I am sitting pretty with 2 x 4870 X2s. With all new series that have come out there are goods and bads... as far as user feedback. e.g. the whole whinning issue
I'm sure there are a lot better examples out there, using XP32, driver off disc, no tweaks, default everything, no reboots etc, at 4 Ghz cpu HT on,5870 at default (basicaly my summer set-up for email and web surfing !) 3dm06=24824
No whining issues
texasreefer
09-29-2009, 03:47 AM
I think 3dMark06 hits higher with HT off...nice score.
FragMagnet
09-29-2009, 04:46 AM
I think 3dMark06 hits higher with HT off...nice score. Thanks, I rebooted and ran it in win7RC x64 with 890/1290 out of curiousity, the rest is the same as above.
O-all 25309
SM2.0 10120
SM3.0 12000
CPU 6841
How much did the second card add to your score ? Sorry, no Vantage key, and the ssd might skew the tests
texasreefer
09-29-2009, 03:10 PM
With one card I hit ~25,000, so the second card added almost 5,000 points. Those xenon chips are pretty damn hardy.... alot of the times when I run 3dmark06 at 4.4 Ghz with HT on, the cpu test 2 will fail. Although there are no benefits on '06 it still kinda blows that the test fails. THe record for '06 and Vantage is on a Xenon chip OCed to 5.0 Ghz.
Edit - IF you crossfire with 2 x 5870s, you will be set for at least a couple years. You will probably break 30k easily.
rmorse27
10-04-2009, 01:14 PM
Miwo, check out that link and see how someone kept the heatsink on a 4890 with aftermarket fan.
http://www.hardmac.com/articles/265/page1
1. it is not possible to keep the heatsink plate without the cooler without damaging it. my card was different from review cards in that aspect, they are jointed, although even on review cards the hole was very small, not big enough for gpu-only block...
2. the card is "silent" but if u are used to watercooling its simply not silent enough... there is still wind inside the case xD a small blow whistle all the time :)
3. rmorse thats an 4890 :) not 5870 ;)
texasreefer
10-05-2009, 03:53 AM
Doesn't Swiftech make an even nicer Backplate by now?
rmorse27
10-05-2009, 05:12 AM
Oese, I know thats a 4890 card was just showing how someone did keep the heatsink with aftermarket cooler. The point I was making is that it can be done to some cards.
tbone8ty
10-06-2009, 10:02 AM
anybody cut out the grill on teh back plate yet? do some air temp testing?
Jamesrt2004
10-06-2009, 11:02 AM
Doesn't Swiftech make an even nicer Backplate by now?
will be out in 2/3 weeks iirc, not a backplate its just a big heatsink to allow you to use waterblock etc :p:
texasreefer
10-06-2009, 07:45 PM
Nice....
grimeleven
10-07-2009, 11:00 AM
Guys, this is what i was talking about in other threads http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=3775599&postcount=8
Try out the Rivatuner scheduler fix, it worked for many X2 users out there and also regular versions. Some even went out and did voltmods to their cards when this softmod got rid of the problem, pass the info even if it's old.
Got a AC cooler trifans in June and i am happy ever since, silent beast computer that do not get noisier when playing games.