GPU Air Cooler Royale

Introduction

The old argument of why would you need to replace the heatsink on your video card, is a long and perilous argument. There are still people out there that thinks that they should not have to purchase an aftermarket GPU cooler for their video card(s). Granted if you spend 300+ on a video card that the stock cooler should perform well enough for normal perfect conditions. But in this day and age, not everything is a perfect condition. Not to mention that these newer video cards run hotter and are having a larger work load placed upon them, so the old thought the stock heatsink should be enough just does not cut it.

You go out and purchase a 200+ on a CPU and immediately you purchase a 60+ on a heatsink that will ensure your CPU does not get hot. Well you should also consider the video card to be fitted with a aftermarket heatsink as well. Today we at Bjorn3d.com going to be looking at three different types of GPU heatsinks. One of these heatsinks is a stock aftermarket cooler, the Vapor X from Sapphire. We are also going to be looking at a new heatsink contender in the market of heatsinks, that company is GELID. Too finally going to look at another heatsink from a manufacturer that is well renowned as being one of the best, Zalman.

We at Bjorn3D.com going to pit all three of these heatsinks against one another in some of the most grueling ambient temperatures I can think of, 23°C is the ambient temperature of where I tested these heatsinks. Also going to be using a very well known chassis for cooling, the SilverStone Raven RV-02. And finally answer the question is it best to purchase a aftermarket GPU cooler along with your VGA purchase.