here is my rig but i need some advice

sniperdude · Post by **sniperdude** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:35 pm

Q6600 @ 3GHZ
4GB OCZ
2WD blue
Gigabyte p35 ds3p
be quiet dark power pro 650watt PSU
Antec p182 case
noctua fans and a fan controller
hd4830 with a accelero s1 rev2

and bad cable management ( i have sorted this since the photo)

i have hit a problem my 4830 has had to be RMA to the retailer
they will refund to my account so i can pick another as they not longer sell the card

problem is i can go for a 4850 1GB use my accelero s1 on it
and carry on as before
OR
go for the 4870 but every-time i search i find everyone is having problems keeping the vrm cool

this is totally putting me off the 4870 but i am finding it very hard to believe someone hasn't come up with a proper solution other than ripping apart the stock coolers (voiding warranty)

so i would like to go for the 4870 but its looking like the 4850 1GB would be the better/ easy option unless someone knows differently ?

HammerSandwich · Post by **HammerSandwich** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:54 am

If the 4830 was fast enough for you, you should look for a 4770. It would run a bit cooler than the 48x0 cards & match the 4830's performance.

In other advice, I doubt you need so many fans & suspect that an HD enclosure might make an audible improvement.

kater · Post by **kater** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:03 pm

If you put some heatsinks on 4870 and direct at least some airflow on them, apart from the GPU, you shouldn't have any problems with overhating VRMs. There are even some special Zalman heatsinks for voltage regulation circuitry, or even some more special Thermalright heatsinks for this section (4870 and 4890 only). Either way, you'll most likely be on the safe side.

sniperdude · Post by **sniperdude** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:22 pm

think i will just go for the 4850 1 GB, reason being the 4830 was OK but if am getting a new card i want it to be a little better than the last

the card also needs to have a hdmi as well as 2 other outputs (same as my 4830) for my 2 monitors and TV.

the new card i am looking at comes fitted with a Accelero L2 Pro
haven't a clue if these are silent but if its silent idle i would keep it on.

you really think i have too many fans ?

only have 1 in 2 out and cpu and graphics

whisper · Post by **whisper** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:04 pm

The only way to tell if you have too many fans is to shut some of them off and see what happens to your temps. From my experience with the P183, I would recommend removing the top fan, and blocking the top hole in the case.