Ultima 90 install + temps

[watercooled]

I think it's a great cooler, and didn't have any problems with the bracket on my motherboard. I like the way you just keep turning the tension screws until they stop - I thought I'd have to stop halfway or something and have to get the tension equal on both sides. Not sure if that is true of all coolers, though - this is the first backplate cooler I've installed. I don't think orientation matters in this config, since the CPU rarely gets hot enough to raise the heat sensors. I've felt how hot the heatpipes near the bottom are and they're barely above room temperature. The same applies to the fins.

[LuckyNV]

Yep I noticed that, I had to keep the hexagonal head in place with one hand (well one finger of the hand holding the motherboard upright) while putting the screw in with the other hand.
It all goes together flush once it's all in place.

The one thing I hate about the ultima90 is the silly bar that goes across and the way it make the bracket stick out so much. Why thermalright didn't just supply the same X bracket as the ultra120 I'll never know.
I had to very carefully trim about 1mm off the end of the retaining bar to be able to fit it on my motherboard because both the mosfet and northbridge coolers are too close, if I had the X bracket from the ultra120 it wouldn't of been an issue.

Thermalright Ultima90, great cooler . . . Shame about the bracket.

I've fitted the Ultima90 for my bro over xmas period, I must say the only real pain is getting the motherboard bracket installed, but otherwise mounting the heatsink, ultima90/IFX14 bracket is superior to that of the TRUE.
However apparently the TRUE mounting has better pressure, but personally its quite a nuisance to fit.

I don't think orientation matters in this config, since the CPU rarely gets hot enough to raise the heat sensors. I've felt how hot the heatpipes near the bottom are and they're barely above room temperature. The same applies to the fins.

That again isn't a good indication, your observation applies to any CPU, on my TRUE the heatpipes and fins are very cool to the touch, this is the same for the HR-01 heatsink as well.

The only way you're going to know for sure is for you to run your own tests, load your CPU, load your CPU and GPU.
Then mount it so the airflow points to the rear, carry out the same tests, I'm 99.99% certain you'll see this mount orientation yields lower temps, I'm not the only one that has noticed this, a few others have also done the same.
Its going to be a hassle, but in the end its only upto 5-6C difference, but its just something you might want to test next time you're taking your mobo out for whatever reason

[Webby]

Right Watercooled it is easy to test how much diffrence having the GPU loaded will make.

Run your normal CPU stress test (which ever takes your fancy) and run FurMark at the same time in stability mode give it a while to get stabilised and see if your CPU temps are higher than the stress test alone.

Of course you could always buy a Thermalright HR-11 to cool the back of the GPU and move any heat away from the CPU

[watercooled]

But even the current temps are too low for the thermal sensor to measure. Cooling further isn't going to change what I see on software temp monitors. Loading the GPU might raise temps, so I'll give it a try.

Edit: Is that thermal paste/pad on that GPU backside cooler? Also, would moving heat to another part of the case make a difference? I have this card which runs cooler than the stock card, even with the OC and it has a dual slot cooler.

[Webby]

I think you misunderstand the HR-11 attaches to the back of the graphics card to cool the back of the GPU area then through heatpipes moves the heat away so the CPU should run cooler as the air it draws will be cooler.

[watercooled]

Yeah, I posted my previous post before I saw your post. Updated now, anyway

[Webby]

Yeah the cooler sits right up by the rear exhaust fan so the heat is basically removed from the case. I can't remember where I say the test/review but if I remember correctly the backside cooler knocked off 2-6ºC off GPU temps it all depends on what cooler you have on the otherside the better it is the less benefit you see from the HR-11. The main advantage though when it is working well is lower case temps as more heat is more efficiently removed from the case.

[watercooled]

When running Furmark, GPU temps rose to 66C. CPU rose to 32C max according to RealTemp. I forgot to log CoreTemp temps, but I assume they will have rose 5C higher (than RealTemp) to 37C. Case fans are running at mid speed. Room temp ~23C

[Pob255]

66c on a 4850 is practically a fridge for that gpu, the normal stock coolerr gets up to 80-85c under load.

[watercooled]

Yeah the cooler is great - lives up to the IceQ name, eh? It's OC'd too!

[watercooled]

Will installing this backside cooler void the graphics card warranty?

[Webby]

Possibly/probably as you will need to unscrew some screws or potentially completely remove the cooler to attach it. And as I was alluding to earlier I do not know how much benefit you would see from it anyway.

[watercooled]

Yeah, I probably won't get that. Like you said I wouldn't see much benefit. Does the fur ring in FurMark usually jitter occasionally?

[Webby]

It all depends on what settings you have it at oh and make sure you are running the renamed version ATI "fixed" the drivers so that it will not run full speed (apparently to stop people cooking their cards )

[watercooled]

Yeah, I renamed it to rename.exe and even at 1024x768 with no AA it jumps, despite the high average frame rates.

[watercooled]

Never mind, I restarted my PC and it seems to have stopped now. Maybe my AV or Vista was updating.