So I got sick of my stock GPU cooling...

[xSpargo]

Hey everyone, after almost a year I've got sick of how bad the cooling seemed on my current HD6870 I got from the lab manager at my previous work since my older GTX275 had much better temps and used more power, so I bought an aftermarket cooler on eBay this week to try and solve the problem.

When I tried fitting the cooler on, the fan pinout wasn't the same as my stock coolers so I could not use it on that plug. My next idea was sticking my old Antec H20 620 on it but that could have been problematic in areas, it would have required to be held on purely by zip ties since I don't have any machining facilities any more at the moment to make something to hold the waterblock on the GPU. So Finally I thought; slap it on without the shroud, add some little heatsinks I have lying around for ICs on the RAM and VRM, and strap on a pair of 120mm fans. It doesn't look very good but it works surprisingly well.


TLDR: I did some ghetto looking modding on my HD6870.

Temps are good though.
Idle temps used to be 59C and now they're down to 38C. (21C drop)
Load temps using Furmark were 83C and now are only 63C. (20C drop)

I think I might end up getting a new GPU for a change though after Christmas, maybe a GTX 970 or 980.

I don't even know what to do with this card any more to be honest.

 

[Dicehunter]

I think I might end up getting a new GPU for a change though after Christmas, maybe a GTX 970 or 980.

I don't even know what to do with this card any more to be honest.

Personally I would get a 980, It would be a HUGE jump in performance from a 6870 and will probably use about the same power as your current GPU and the temps will be about the same

The older card you could always keep as a backup.

 

[xSpargo]

Yeah, a 980 would be a big jump, was thinking of getting an Asus Strix one for £499 at OcUK.

 

[Dicehunter]

Yeah, a 980 would be a big jump, was thinking of getting an Asus Strix one for £499 at OcUK.

Good choice, Fans only spin up at 60'c so it will be silent for the most part

 

[xSpargo]

Good choice, Fans only spin up at 60'c so it will be silent for the most part

Hmm, would prefer the GPU to be cooler than 60C to be honest. My old GTX 275 idled at around 35C and full load around 55C, had a triple fan cooler on it but it was a hungry beast!

 

[Dicehunter]

Hmm, would prefer the GPU to be cooler than 60C to be honest. My old GTX 275 idled at around 35C and full load around 55C, had a triple fan cooler on it but it was a hungry beast!

It will be cooler at idle than 62'c what I mean is that with Maxwell being so efficient the fan only needs to start spinning once it reaches 65'c which at idle it will never reach, Only at load *Strix exclusive feature*

At idle the Strix stays around 30'c-50'c *This is HUGELY dependent on the temperature of your room and airflow of your case* and load goes from from 60-80'c depending on the scenario but can go higher with increased volts/clocks.

 

[xSpargo]

30-50 sounds alright, the GPU has direct airflow from a Silverstone AP fan I have as an intake at the front. Would be tempted to overclock since I normally do on everything I get haha, nothing remains untouched yet.