AC S1 rev.2

rivet · Post by **rivet** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 3:45 pm

I am looking for a new quiet video card for light gaming. When I read thread here, a lot of people recommend buying a normal video card and replace the heatsink with aftermarket cooler like AC S1.

However, when I check online, I can't find AC S1. anywhere in Canada. NCIX forum said the product is discontinued? Where do your guys bought your AC S1. (rev. 2).

Thanks.

colm · Post by **colm** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:00 pm

I currently run that cooler. incredible.

I still find them from my neck of the woods...can you buy at newegg?

newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835186016

aerocool website:

http://www.aerocooler.com/shop.cart?act ... d=FANACAS1

amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Cooling-Ac ... B0014HSPEQ

I may get another one myself.

what is up with canada...

RV8C · Post by **RV8C** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:49 pm

Hi rivet,

If you don't mind paying for shipping & handling (out to Ontario), you can find the S1 Rev 2 here:

http://www.anitec.ca/product/10630/arct ... leros1rev2

Good luck with your search!

Cheers

rivet · Post by **rivet** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 12:13 pm

Thanks all for your reply. I found newegg.ca has it in stock. Also, how does the heatsink compared to AC S1 rev. 2 compared to AC L2 pro, the later one is cheaper with a fan, usually $20 (+shipping and tax if applicable).

kater · Post by **kater** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 2:59 am

Well, it's an entirely different design - one has 4 heatpipes and works well with v v little airflow, the other one is just a chunk of aluminum. Sure, L2 is not bad, especially for energy efficient <100 usd cards, and will handle them with v little noise, but stiill, these two are in different leagues.

What VGA do you have / will have?

I used my AC S1 fanless with 8800GT. Now, with 4770 I need a wee bit of direct airflow to its VRMs. Still tho, even in heavy daily use (F@H, approx. 90% load all time) all my temps at the GPU are < 45 C. That with 1 x 92mm @ 750 rpm over the PCI-E end of the card.

rivet · Post by **rivet** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 10:20 pm

I just got a used Diamond 4850 coming in the mail, looks like it is the original single slot design, so I expect it run hot and/or loud. Not sure if AC S1 is a good choice for the card. Also, is the installation easy? I have never replaced a video card heatsink before.

kater · Post by **kater** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 10:30 pm

Yes, AC S1 + 92/120mm @ 5-7V will take good care of it. You can try 2 x 92mm fans, but I'd say one should be enough. The fan should rather be placed so that the airflow spills over the back of the card - where the wild things are, errr, where voltage regulators are. See pic above. ATI's card seem to be infamous for their hot VRMs.

Did I mention them VRMs run hot? Oh.

Installation is a piece of cake. You won't have to cut or mod anything. Just follow the manual and use common sense. Be sure to first check if the card runs good with the stock cooler - run 3Dmark or Furmark for an hour or so, monitor temps (Riva Tuner is great for it). After you dismount the stock cooler use some clear alcohol (isopropyl) or spirit to clean the old thermal paste. AC S1 comes with preapplied paste of decent quality. Be sure to carefully apply heatsinks to memory chips and VRMs - the thermal glue sometimes lets go and the little buggers fall of. All in all, in terms of installation AC S1 is a no-brainer, you'll be fine.