Xigmatek aftermarket cooler

[Daveburt714]

NOTE: Title changed due to cooler decision (see post #9)

Has anyone tried the Xigmatek BiFrost cooler?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233058

I like the looks of it and also the fact that its core contact (HDT).

This was the only review I could find:
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.ph...1&limitstart=0

I'm assuming that since it fits the 48xx series cards it will probably fit the 6870 I have coming tommorow, i'll have to do some more research, but I don't think the hole spacing has changed...

Thanks,
Dave

[Daveburt714]

Well, since no one in the know answered I've done a little research for myself and things are looking pretty good...

The hole spacing on the 68xx series cards look like they're the same as the 48xx/58xx cards @ 53x53 mm.
http://www.overclock.net/ati-cooling...ng-thread.html

That would fit in quite well with the Xigmatek cooler I was asking about since it has 53/53 mounting holes...
http://www.xigmatek.com/console/uplo...065_MANUAL.pdf

If I can use the stock backplate for VRM/Mem cooling (as was done with the 5850/70 cards) on the 6870 it looks like this cooler may work, WooHoo...

I can pick one of these bad boys up locally @ my neighborhood MicroCenter and if I check things carefully before I actually do the install I can always return it if I'm wrong...

There are quite a few stock 6850's with aftermarket cooling, but all the 6870's I've seen so far are reference versions.

I get the feeling the 6870's may have alot more in them with good cooling, and I plan to find out!

Now all I need is a new version of Sapphire's TriXX software so I can adjust voltages on the 6870.

[Cory]

I bought one of these for my Asus EAH5870 v2 a couple months ago. I was pretty disappointed with the performance. Temps would reach around ~80C in Furmark with the fans running at max speed, so it really wasn't doing much better than the stock cooler, it was just a little quieter. I tried remounting, but had the same results.

I'm thinking it isn't suited well for ATI chips, or chips without an IHS in general, because only 3 of the heatpipes were in somewhat direct contact with the die. I'd imagine it would be great for something like an overclocked GTX 460, but since there's only 3 sets of mounting holes permanently drilled into the bifrost's base, it just doesn't seem possible

Your best bet probably is to go with either the Zalman vf3000, AC Twin Turbo Pro, or the new AC Accelero Xtreme Plus. You could probably fit the Accelero Xtreme 5870 as well, since it has the same mounting holes. I went with the AXP and it's great. But be warned, it is massive. It makes the card about equal to the length of a 5970. It just barely fits in my FT02.

[BeepBeep2]

Yeah due to lack of heatspreader I wouldn't try running this on AMD without a cold plate.

[Daveburt714]

Thanks for the advice folks!

I was actually a little conserned about that since the die size is so small on the 6870. You guys probably saved me alot of hassle..

[zerotol]

If the whole spacing is the same then on the 48XX, then the Accelero S1 rev 2 should atleast be compatible for core mounting. It might require some extra modding due to the components on the cards but it should be usable right?

[Cory]

If the whole spacing is the same then on the 48XX, then the Accelero S1 rev 2 should atleast be compatible for core mounting. It might require some extra modding due to the components on the cards but it should be usable right?

Yes, it should work. The only issue you will run into with the S1 is that one of the heatpipes will block one of the heatsinks for a memory ic. You'll have to do something about that heatsink to get it to fit.

[Tomasis]

How much Accelero S1 will improve over stock cooler of 6870? it looks affordable for me but i want to know if it is really worth for OC of my 6850

[Daveburt714]

Well Folks... Thanks to some good tips by fellow members and my own doubts I changed my cooler choice and went with the Zalman VF3000A (Thanks guys! ).

Everything went fine, and the results were pretty good!
Idle temps were lowered by ~15c (from 50c to 35c) and load temps dropped about ~20c (from 71c to 50c).

If you decide to go this route, just take your time and make sure you have a good contact patch with the tim before you do the final install.
Also, make sure you have enough room in your case. This cooler probably adds another 3/4-1" length to your card...

I used the stock backplate for Mem/Fet cooling and just stuck a few of the ramsinks in areas I thought might help keep other components cool.
Be sure to clean the backplate with alcohol before placing the sinks, the thermal tape didn't seem all that strong, but after cleaning they stuck like a champ!

Enough chatter, heres some pics:

Cooler Mounted:


Some Ramsink placement:


More Ramsink placement:


Added Length to Card:


Card Installed in Rig: (Yes you could still run CF with this cooler on the C4F)


Furmark run showing load temps:



Maybe when we get voltage control this will give me a little more headroom...
Reguardless, I'm off to play, haven't even tested higher OC's yet, just wanted to let folks know that this cooler works if ya take your time!

[BeepBeep2]

Well Folks... Thanks to some good tips by fellow members and my own doubts I changed my cooler choice and went with the Zalman VF3000A (Thanks guys! ).

Everything went fine, and the results were pretty good!
Idle temps were lowered by ~15c (from 50c to 35c) and load temps dropped about ~20c (from 71c to 50c).

If you decide to go this route, just take your time and make sure you have a good contact patch with the tim before you do the final install.
Also, make sure you have enough room in your case. This cooler probably adds another 3/4-1" length to your card...

I used the stock backplate for Mem/Fet cooling and just stuck a few of the ramsinks in areas I thought might help keep other components cool.
Be sure to clean the backplate with alcohol before placing the sinks, the thermal tape didn't seem all that strong, but after cleaning they stuck like a champ!

Enough chatter, heres some pics:

Cooler Mounted:


Some Ramsink placement:


More Ramsink placement:


Added Length to Card:


Card Installed in Rig: (Yes you could still run CF with this cooler on the C4F)


Furmark run showing load temps:



Maybe when we get voltage control this will give me a little more headroom...
Reguardless, I'm off to play, haven't even tested higher OC's yet, just wanted to let folks know that this cooler works if ya take your time!

I believe you already got voltage control with Sapphires new software.

[Daveburt714]

I believe you already got voltage control with Sapphires new software.

Really?!

If you can find a link it would make my whole weekend....

[tbone8ty]

those r some awesome temps, ati/amd needs to higher zalman to do there stock exhaust coolers

[Daveburt714]

those r some awesome temps, ati/amd needs to higher zalman to do there stock exhaust coolers

Thanks Bud... Yeah this cooler's MUCH better than stock.

Heres a quicky OC bench on the Zalman...
Something wierd is happening here, I really expected to get higher GPU clocks, but I wound up getting higher Mem clocks instead.

I only gianed 10 mhz on the core, but I gained 70 mhz on the Mem!
I can only assume it's because I have the extra sinks, and the fans blowing straight down on the chips...

My testing method is running Heaven 2.1 Bench and watching for anything wierd happening (glitches, tearing, or even worse the huge triangle thing ).
If I see any of those artifacts I call it quits and reset clocks, seems to work!

Heres a SS of my new CLEAN run:


I still can't help but think that voltage control will net me alot more on the core since I have temps under control, but only time will tell...

If nothing else though, it quieted my rig down and got alot more bandwidth...

[tbone8ty]

whats all this i hear about people bricking there card with this cooler? how is this possible?

[Tomasis]

things will get better once u raise volt

[Kain665]

Very cool, I'd like to see how it performs under 1.2-1.25v.

[CobraXP]

How do you bypass not plugging in the fan to the card? The Zalman is powered from the psu right?

[wez]

Really?!

If you can find a link it would make my whole weekend....

http://www.sapphiretech.com/ssc/TriXX/
Think you need to register your card to dl it

[Daveburt714]

whats all this i hear about people bricking there card with this cooler? how is this possible?

Yeah, I saw all those comments on NewEgg reviews too tbone.
I'll admit it made me tripple check things, but I really didn't see a problem.
I can only guess it was carelessness...

Then again, I didn't follow the instructions (or read them for that matter ).
Just used my standard precautions and common sense.

How do you bypass not plugging in the fan to the card? The Zalman is powered from the psu right?

I had that happen with an old card CobraXP (think it was a 9700Pro), where the card wouldn't even light if the fan wasn't detected...
Didn't have that problem with this one at all, it still seems to think that the stock fan is there (which is a good thing (in this case))...
The Zalman's fan is plugged into a Mobo header, and the card doesn't seem to mind.

http://www.sapphiretech.com/ssc/TriXX/
Think you need to register your card to dl it

Thanks wez!
MacClipper posted the link last night (and I had already registered)...
I was really hoping for better results with more voltage, it gave me a little more, but not as much as I was thought it would.

Oh well.... This card still kicks azz compared to my 4870, and if nothing else the Zalman quieted the leaf blower fan that came as stock and got me better Mem clocks...

[MikeMurphy]

Incredible improvement on the temps.

What are the results with the new volts?

[Daveburt714]

What are the results with the new volts?

Not as impressive as I'd hoped, but temps definetly aren't the problem.
Even @ 1.3v temps still never go over 63c in extended Furmark runs...

At 1.3v, I can run Heaven 2.1 @ 1020 GPU x 1200 Mem (glitch free),
but Furmark will crash the drivers after a few minutes at anything over 1000 GPU (even lowering Mem to stock, didn't help).
It did pass a 30 minute Furmark run @ 1000 w/ 1.3v's though, so I guess I'm close to the limit.

Once agian I didn't hit the chip lottery...
It's OK for benching, but extra V's for 35Mhz doesn't really seem worth it for normal use...

For everyday and gaming I'll just stick with 965/1190 and stock V's...

At least it's alot easier on the ears!

[BababooeyHTJ]

Very nice. I may have to pick up a VF3000 myself. It looks good and your results are impressive too. Did you notice any sagging with the new cooler?

With my last card after installing an HR-03 GTX I had to brace the back of the card.