7950GT AGP PSU/Aftermarket Cooling questions

[DamienC]

So I just RMA'ed my 7950GT for the second time. I'm not really pissed so long as XFX keeps doing it for free (woot) although it is kind of annoying seeing as how CoD4 just came out on Tuesday. :P

Anyway, this time around I want to make absolutely sure I do everything I can to not have an overheating/power issue again. Right now I have a crummy generic CompUSA 500w PSU that I know doesn't have enough wattage on the +12V rail.

Can anyone recommend a decent PSU in the $50-75 range?

Also, I'd really like to replace the stock fan. Two questions about this: 1. Does it void the XFX warranty? (Oh, I hope not...) and 2. If not, can anyone recommend a good replacement heatsink/fan? I've had good experiences with both Arctic Cooling and Zalman in the past but I'm a bit out of the loop because I haven't upgraded in so long. :P

Thanks.

[Miker]

At least 3 people on this forum have put on a new heatsink and had the card blow; never once, have I seen a 7950GT work after someone puts on new cooling. Get any SLI ready PSU, then use one of the SLI leads, with a 4pin Molex adapter to power the card. This card WILL blow if it doesn't have good enough power.

[werty316]

Where do you live in so we can figure out an online retailer for you?

As for replacing the stock fan, you have to live in either Canada or the US if you don't want to void your warranty.

[KainXS]

I also would like to know about a good cooler for this card, the problem is that the mounts are non standard and the PCIE to AGP bridge chip MUST also be cooled

can someone from XFX please tell us a good cooler, I'm getting my card back from RMA tommorow and don't want it to go out on me again;-)

PS. Im in the USA

[Miker]

XFX doesn't have a cooler they like. And trust me, I have seen like 5 people try to put on a new cooler and had it artifact right away. This card would rather have a PCI Slot Fan next to it then a new cooler.

[KainXS]

I have a thermaltake slot cooler but it does almost nothing as far as cooling the card goes

i wish XFX would let me trade my 7950 in for a 8600GTS or even better, a 8800GT because my card has been nothing but problems, this is 2 RMA's now on the same card for me and i have a PCI-EXPRESS board also but I'm using AGP only for the card

this absolutely sucks

[Miker]

I put a 2 slot coolers in my PC, one on each side of the card. Making sure I put a one card gap between the heatsink side of the graphic card. My Idle temps when from 50ish to 38-40

[KainXS]

so you put a slot cooler on the top and bottom riight

[Miker]

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o81/mikerider123/DSCN2435.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o81/mikerider123/DSCN2437.jpg

Put the fans on the side cover too.

[KainXS]

did you change the thermal paste with AS5 as well

very nice setup BTW

[Miker]

I put the card in and did nothing to it, left it stock.

[A-L-E-X]

The Corsair VX 450W is 75 dollars and it has a single 12V rail of 33A, but if I were you, I'd get the Corsair VX 550W power supply (I have it) it has a single 12V rail of 41A and I got it for only 90 dollars.

So I just RMA'ed my 7950GT for the second time. I'm not really pissed so long as XFX keeps doing it for free (woot) although it is kind of annoying seeing as how CoD4 just came out on Tuesday. :P

Anyway, this time around I want to make absolutely sure I do everything I can to not have an overheating/power issue again. Right now I have a crummy generic CompUSA 500w PSU that I know doesn't have enough wattage on the +12V rail.

Can anyone recommend a decent PSU in the $50-75 range?

Also, I'd really like to replace the stock fan. Two questions about this: 1. Does it void the XFX warranty? (Oh, I hope not...) and 2. If not, can anyone recommend a good replacement heatsink/fan? I've had good experiences with both Arctic Cooling and Zalman in the past but I'm a bit out of the loop because I haven't upgraded in so long. :P

Thanks.

[Miker]

Single Rail can put some noise on the line; it might mess up Graphic. You might want to put some big Caps in the Rail before it gets to the Card to "clean up" the power.

[A-L-E-X]

How would I go about putting some caps on the rail? If you mean the Caps inside the PSU, Corsair states that they use "the highest quality Japanese capacitors" rated at 105C, as opposed to the usual 80C. That was one of the reasons I bought a Corsair.



Single Rail can put some noise on the line; it might mess up Graphic. You might want to put some big Caps in the Rail before it gets to the Card to "clean up" the power.

[Miker]

NVM... I thought about it more and it wouldn't work right. The caps would keep relieving power after the PC is turned off and it might blow.