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UPDATED VGA HEATSINK RESULTS
After the overhaul, re-testing of some recent heatsinks was in order. The X1950XTX stock cooler, Zalman
VF900-CU, and Zalman VF1000 LED were put to the test. The ambient temperature
during testing was 21°C, while the ambient noise level was 17 dBA.
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VGA Test Bed: X1950XTX with Stock Cooler Results
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System State
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GPU Fan Speed
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SPL @1m
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GPU
Temp
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GPU Ambient
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CPU
Temp
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System Power
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Idle
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12%
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21 dBA
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60°C
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49°C
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25°C
|
106W
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CPUBurn
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12%
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21 dBA
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72°C
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55°C
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43°C
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193W
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CPUBurn + ATI Tool
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43%
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28 dBA
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90°C
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64°C
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43°C
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275W
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The stock cooler was tested at 43% speed, much lower than what the fan normally
spins at. It was just low enough to adequately cool the card without puncturing
our ear drums. At 28 dBA, it is still far from quiet unless the speakers are
turned up.
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VGA Test Bed: X1950XTX with VF900-CU Test Results
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System State
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GPU Fan Speed
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SPL @1m
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GPU Temp
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GPU Ambient
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CPU Temp
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System Power
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Idle
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5V
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20 dBA
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42°C
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36°C
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23°C
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104W
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CPUBurn
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5V
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20 dBA
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47°C
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40°C
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43°C
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188W
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ATI Tool + CPUBurn
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5V
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20 dBA
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94°C*
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61°C
|
43°C
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268W
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ATI Tool + CPUBurn
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7V
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22 dBA
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93°C
|
60°C
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43°C
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270W
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ATI Tool + CPUBurn
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9V
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24 dBA
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92°C
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58°C
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43°C
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270W
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ATI Tool + CPUBurn
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12V
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28 dBA
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89°C
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56°C
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43°C
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269W
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| * ATI Tool detected delta artifacts, which indicates heatsink failure |
The results of the VF900-CU were similar to those obtained from the old
test platform. It was seriously challenged by the X1950XTX; it
simply was not designed to cope with such a hot card At 5V, ATI Tool detected
delta artifacts. Raising the fan speed did help stabilize the card, but the
temperature did not really improve substantially until the 12V level. The Zalman VF900-CU should be used on cooler cards such as nVidia Geforce 7, 8500 and 8600 series and perhaps the ATI 3850.
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VGA Test Bed: X1950XTX with VF1000 Results
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|
State
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Fan Speed
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SPL @1m
|
GPU Temp
|
GPU Ambient
|
CPU Temp
|
System Power
|
|
Idle
|
5V
|
20 dBA
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41°C
|
37°C
|
23°C
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103W
|
|
CPUBurn
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5V
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20 dBA
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46°C
|
40°C
|
43°C
|
186W
|
|
ATI Tool + CPUBurn
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5V
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20 dBA
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76°C
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56°C
|
43°C
|
265W
|
|
ATI Tool + CPUBurn
|
7V
|
22 dBA
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74°C
|
55°C
|
43°C
|
266W
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ATI Tool + CPUBurn
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9V
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24 dBA
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72°C
|
54°C
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43°C
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265W
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ATI Tool + CPUBurn
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12V
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29 dBA
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70°C
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53°C
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43°C
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265W
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As in the earlier test bed, the VF1000 trounced the VF900 by almost 20°C at all fan speeds with practically
identical noise levels. 5V is enough for the X1950XTX and it will be
inaudible in most systems.
PARTING WORDS
That's our updated VGA test platform. We believe the improved
stability and noise level of the new test bed will help us more accurately analyze
the thermal and acoustic performance of VGA cards and coolers. So far, we only have a couple coolers tested, but in time, there will be many more results
for comparison. In the near future, look for a review of the much-lauded Arctic
Cooling Accelero S1.
***
SPCR Articles of Related Interest:
Zalman Zalman VF1000 LED
Graphics Card Cooler
VGA Cooler Roundup: A
Thermalright, two Zalmans, and an Arctic Cooling
* * *
Discuss this article in the forums.
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