Adequate cooling for a Radeon

[kpnet]

I know the 256MB Radeon 9800 Pro runs HOT so if I decide to buy the card in a few months (when the price is cheaper) do you think a PCI cooling fan in a slot next to it would be more than enough to cool it without having to tamper the card?

I'll more than likely buy the 128MB version instead but would like to know this.

[skeeter]

I would put a blowhole in the side of the case and blow air directly on the videocard. That would be almost a sure thing.

[Jarhead]

As long as your case has good air circulation and you're not overclocking the heck out of it, I wouldn't worry about it. The factory cooling on the newer 9700/9800 series is actually quite good.

[Peter M]

Those PCI slot coolers have all been proven to be pretty useless. Improve airflow within the case. Clean up the ribbon cables, add an intake fan at the front bottom, and an exhaust fan below the PSU.

[poopeyhed2]

Let me tell you first hand, DON'T change the cooling appartus on your video card. I got caught up in the hype of overclocking my Radeon 9600 Pro, and I broke mine. Graphic corruption all over the place, no more 3d. Could only do 2d. I don't know what happened, but I removed stock HSF, added some ramsinks, finished installed the heatpipe, now my video card does not work anymore. I advise you NOT to screw around with it, as it's a very delicate piece of equipment and it is very costly. Even though the Radeon 9600 may not sound so expensive, but for me, it was, and still is. Now I have a broken video card in my AGP slot, that can only do 2d.

Edit: I did this last night, so I'm still pist off... I only had the video card fo 2 weeks.

[tony_j15]

On the other hand, lots of people have changed their heatsink, added ramsinks, and had nice 3dM score increases after OC'ing higher than they could with stock HS.

[Optimus Prime]

The cooler that comes with the 9800 is quite good actually, it won't run that hot.
[
Your PC should have fans set out in this configuration:

2 80mm's at front blowing air in
2 80mm's at back blowing air out

1 80mm at side blowing air in (optional)

OR

1 80mm at top blowing air out (optional)

Your 9800 should be fine.

[poopeyhed2]

Well I got it fixed so I'm happy There was a short with the pcb and the copper screws holding the GPU heatsinks. I'm still a little shaky on changing it. This is the first and last experience till I get a better job.

tony_j15 - when you work for 2 weeks just to save up for that video card, put in extra money for the cooling accessories and find it's screwed up like that, you'd be pretty pist that $200 is down the drain. I don't suppose you have the experience, and let me tell you, it's not fun. As my friend says "It's totally the opposite of cool, it's warm."