Game PC (silent) AMD X2 3800
Moderators: NeilBlanchard, Ralf Hutter, sthayashi, Lawrence Lee
Game PC (silent) AMD X2 3800
SeaSonic S12 500Watt
Antec P180
OCZ DDR PC3200 Platinum Enhanced Bandwith 2x1Gb
Western Digital Caviar 2500KS SATAII 16MB cache 250Gb
ASUS A8N SLI
AMD Athlon 3800+ 64Bit X2
Scythe SCNJ-1000 Ninja
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XFX Geforce 7800GTX
Zalman VF700 Cu
Zalman ZM NB47J
- or -
ASUS Geforce 7800GTX Top
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The last bit is the problem area. I already decided to go for ASUS SLI to be able to place a decent cooler on the graphics card (AC or Zalman)
- Is it possible to put a northbridge heatsink (Zalman) on this motherboard? Is it possible when there are 2 cards with VGA cooler? Is it possible for only Zalman or only AC? Other easy to get northbridge heatsinks which can go under the card?
- I read on http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle. ... icleid=719 that the difference between AC and other coolers in case temp = 4°C. With possibly 2 7800GTX cards later on, would it be best to go for AC which clears the hot air immediately?
- I also read that Zalman VF700 cools better then AC and is also more silent.
Thx
Antec P180
OCZ DDR PC3200 Platinum Enhanced Bandwith 2x1Gb
Western Digital Caviar 2500KS SATAII 16MB cache 250Gb
ASUS A8N SLI
AMD Athlon 3800+ 64Bit X2
Scythe SCNJ-1000 Ninja
::::::::::::::::::::::::::
XFX Geforce 7800GTX
Zalman VF700 Cu
Zalman ZM NB47J
- or -
ASUS Geforce 7800GTX Top
::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The last bit is the problem area. I already decided to go for ASUS SLI to be able to place a decent cooler on the graphics card (AC or Zalman)
- Is it possible to put a northbridge heatsink (Zalman) on this motherboard? Is it possible when there are 2 cards with VGA cooler? Is it possible for only Zalman or only AC? Other easy to get northbridge heatsinks which can go under the card?
- I read on http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle. ... icleid=719 that the difference between AC and other coolers in case temp = 4°C. With possibly 2 7800GTX cards later on, would it be best to go for AC which clears the hot air immediately?
- I also read that Zalman VF700 cools better then AC and is also more silent.
Thx
You can just purchase the A8N-sli premium which comes with a stock passive heatsink that doesn't interfere with the video cards at all. Also, the pci-express slots are positioned with enough space to put two video cards. You'd probably be able to put aftermarket coolers on both cards, but I think it would be a tight squeeze (thus interfering with airflow?).
I have an A8N-SLI Deluxe. Should be the same pretty much.
One thing you will find is that when using longer graphics cards like the 7800GTX and 6800Ultra that you will be very hard pressed to fit the card in there with the Zalman NB47J and an aftermarket cooler. There were some pics on this when the A8N-SLI Deluxe first came out, if you do a search on the forum you might be able to find some of them.
Long story short:
Be careful choosing your chipset cooler and VGA card's cooling. The NB47J can cause obstructions. AFAIK you can use 2 VF700's just fine for SLI configs as long as they don't obstruct the NB47J. The bottom card should be fine regardless, it's just a question of whether the top card's VF700 will hit the NB47 or not. I've seen it work with a 6800Ultra but it was VERY VERY tight.
One thing you will find is that when using longer graphics cards like the 7800GTX and 6800Ultra that you will be very hard pressed to fit the card in there with the Zalman NB47J and an aftermarket cooler. There were some pics on this when the A8N-SLI Deluxe first came out, if you do a search on the forum you might be able to find some of them.
Long story short:
Be careful choosing your chipset cooler and VGA card's cooling. The NB47J can cause obstructions. AFAIK you can use 2 VF700's just fine for SLI configs as long as they don't obstruct the NB47J. The bottom card should be fine regardless, it's just a question of whether the top card's VF700 will hit the NB47 or not. I've seen it work with a 6800Ultra but it was VERY VERY tight.
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- Posts: 278
- Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2003 6:05 am
- Location: Tennessee
I have an A8N-SLI (not premium or deluxe). I have a Zalman northbridge heatsink on it and the Zalman ZF-700 heatsink on my 6800GT. It all fits fine and works great! I run the ZF-700 at 4.25V and it still cools the video card and northbridge with periperal airflow.
I also have the Scythe Ninja heatsink and I can't say enough good things about it. (You can't beat fanless operation.)
My system now contains only three fans; the Zalman ZF-700 (at 4.25V), the power supply fan (Seasonic SS-430 temp controlled), and a Nexus 120mm fan for the exhaust (hooked up to the CPU fan header and controlled by Asus Q-fan, generally running 700-800 RPM.) This system is REALLY quiet. Right now, I have an Athlon 64 3200+, but I'm upgrading to an X2 3800+ next week.
I also have the Scythe Ninja heatsink and I can't say enough good things about it. (You can't beat fanless operation.)
My system now contains only three fans; the Zalman ZF-700 (at 4.25V), the power supply fan (Seasonic SS-430 temp controlled), and a Nexus 120mm fan for the exhaust (hooked up to the CPU fan header and controlled by Asus Q-fan, generally running 700-800 RPM.) This system is REALLY quiet. Right now, I have an Athlon 64 3200+, but I'm upgrading to an X2 3800+ next week.
Thanks, that's interesting.
Did you put you card into the upper slot, or the lower one?
Is the SS-430W able to power my system with 2 graphic cards?
I didn't undersatnd the positioning of your nexus fan: is it on the heatsink or is it on the case at the back near the heatsink.
pictures would be great
Did you put you card into the upper slot, or the lower one?
Is the SS-430W able to power my system with 2 graphic cards?
I didn't undersatnd the positioning of your nexus fan: is it on the heatsink or is it on the case at the back near the heatsink.
pictures would be great
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- Posts: 278
- Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2003 6:05 am
- Location: Tennessee
I've got my card in the upper slot. I think the SS-430 should be able to power two cards. My 120mm Nexus fan is in the exhaust fan position, a couple inches from the heatsink. There is NO fan directly on the Scythe Ninja heatsink.zikje wrote:Thanks, that's interesting.
Did you put you card into the upper slot, or the lower one?
Is the SS-430W able to power my system with 2 graphic cards?
I didn't undersatnd the positioning of your nexus fan: is it on the heatsink or is it on the case at the back near the heatsink.
pictures would be great
What are your temps (idle/load) with the Ninja and 1 casefan?cmcquistion wrote:I have an A8N-SLI (not premium or deluxe). I have a Zalman northbridge heatsink on it and the Zalman ZF-700 heatsink on my 6800GT. It all fits fine and works great! I run the ZF-700 at 4.25V and it still cools the video card and northbridge with periperal airflow.
I also have the Scythe Ninja heatsink and I can't say enough good things about it. (You can't beat fanless operation.)
My system now contains only three fans; the Zalman ZF-700 (at 4.25V), the power supply fan (Seasonic SS-430 temp controlled), and a Nexus 120mm fan for the exhaust (hooked up to the CPU fan header and controlled by Asus Q-fan, generally running 700-800 RPM.) This system is REALLY quiet. Right now, I have an Athlon 64 3200+, but I'm upgrading to an X2 3800+ next week.
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- Posts: 278
- Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2003 6:05 am
- Location: Tennessee
Right now, I'm running an X2 3800+ (dual 2 GHz) overclocked to 2.4 GHz (dual) (@1.3375 Vcore, stable) and my peak temps are about 60C. Idle temps are usually around 45C. When I had the 3200+, things were even cooler, but I ran it at stock speed and undervolted.zikje wrote:What are your temps (idle/load) with the Ninja and 1 casefan?cmcquistion wrote:I have an A8N-SLI (not premium or deluxe). I have a Zalman northbridge heatsink on it and the Zalman ZF-700 heatsink on my 6800GT. It all fits fine and works great! I run the ZF-700 at 4.25V and it still cools the video card and northbridge with periperal airflow.
I also have the Scythe Ninja heatsink and I can't say enough good things about it. (You can't beat fanless operation.)
My system now contains only three fans; the Zalman ZF-700 (at 4.25V), the power supply fan (Seasonic SS-430 temp controlled), and a Nexus 120mm fan for the exhaust (hooked up to the CPU fan header and controlled by Asus Q-fan, generally running 700-800 RPM.) This system is REALLY quiet. Right now, I have an Athlon 64 3200+, but I'm upgrading to an X2 3800+ next week.