What is a decent cooler for a HD3850?

[nadnerb]

The standard fan on my HD3850 is by far the loudest part of my PC and its really begining to bug me.
I have the PowerColor 512mb btw.
The existing fan is pretty good, it idles at about 35'c and rarely goes above 50'c but its just damn noisey!

Could someone suggest a new fan or even a fanless solution.
Cheers!

[staffsMike]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=627848

You can maybe use that fanless or do what SPCR do and strap a silent 120mm fan to it. Cool, and quiet.. bit big so you need some extra height clearance in the case.

[Mithrandir]

One of the best solutions I've read is the Thermalright, BUT the cost is ridiculous.

However, THIS Akasa is supposed to be a great performer and is relatively cheap.

[nadnerb]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=627848

You can maybe use that fanless or do what SPCR do and strap a silent 120mm fan to it. Cool, and quiet.. bit big so you need some extra height clearance in the case.

Cheers.
Sounds like a good idea and space wouldn't be a problem, I don't even have any PCI cards in my case at the moment.
I take it this would void the warranty though?

[nadnerb]

One of the best solutions I've read is the Thermalright, BUT the cost is ridiculous.

However, THIS Akasa is supposed to be a great performer and is relatively cheap.

Woah that first one is pricey, looks nice though!
I'll check out some reviews for the Akasa one, cheers.

[Pob255]

I'm guessing it's this one

Bad thing about thoes PowerColor coolers is the fan is stuck at max speed, no way short of a physical alteration to reduce the fan speed.

I'd seriously look at tha Akasa one it's suposed to be exellent esp for a card like the 3850. (not much change to a 8800gts 512mb, but the stock cooler on a 8800gts is very good to start with.)

[nadnerb]

I'm guessing it's this one

Yep thats the one.

Bad thing about thoes PowerColor coolers is the fan is stuck at max speed, no way short of a physical alteration to reduce the fan speed.

That would explain it!
I've tried changing the fan in ATI Tool and Riva but I couldn't really tell any difference, sound wise or temps.
It's so annoying because without this fan my PC would be almost silent.

[alexander]

I have that thermalright one and it is excellent. I run it completely passively on my 8800GT.

I'd suggest a VF-900Cu and undervolt the fan to 5 volts, then it is silent

[nadnerb]

I think I've just solved my problem for 58p haha!

http://scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=783848

It's supposed to be for 3pin case fans I guess, but I just plugged my 2pin GPU fan in and it works like a charm!
On the lowest setting I can't hear it above the already pretty quiet case fan, on full power it's as loud as before of course.

I just run a few tests with ATI Tool's artefact scanner and on the lowest fan setting it only reaches 57'c (vs 50'c on 100&#37
Considering I can't hear it now I'm pretty pleased with that, although I'll probably set it somewhere between, just before it starts getting loud.

Only problem now is that I think my case and CPU fans are too loud!

[Mithrandir]

Looks good nadnerb. That is very cheap as well. I think I'll add to my next Scan order. Thanks for the info.

[nadnerb]

Exactly, that's why I bought it.
I was buying a HDD and thought I may as well add that to the order as it doesn't matter if it didn't work.

[Pob255]

nice one and your lucky it fit, quite often the 2 pin connectors on graphics card coolers are too small to fit on 3 pin connectors so you have to cut and rewire them (it's not that hard to do but can be daughting)

personally I don't like rear controllers much as I like to adjust my fan speeds quite often, however for 58p that's a bargin

[muffin247]

if that doesnt work try the zalman vf900 or the new vf1000 they are renowned coolers and silent with the fanmate