Cheapest way to cool a HOT and LOUD GPU?

[PokeCatz]

Currently I have the Diamond HD 7970, and since it's a reference cooler, temps are around 75 C during load, even after new thermal paste and it's still extremely loud. What would be the best way of cooling the GPU, without spending 100's of dollars on custom watercooling?

Some options I've seen around:

Arctic Accelero III or IV - Around $100 which is way more than I want to spend, and its extremely heavy and difficult to install. Also kind of rare because there's a specific version that works with the 7970:

NZXT GPU AIO Bracket: It's $30 just for the bracket which has literally one fan that blows on the VRM's. Then I would have to buy an AIO and I would have to buy a shim plate because of the 7970's recessed GPU die.

Full Custom Watercooling: That's like at least $200 and I've never done watercooling before.

Or the option I'm leaning towards:

Buying a dead 7970 that has a custom cooler but the reference PCB so that it will fit on my card.

-Thanks.

 

 

[Theguywhobea]

As far as OUT OF BOX THERMALS goes that's not too bad, you could loosen up the curve a little and let it get to like 83C and you'll probably be fine. Other than that try to get some better airflow going on in your case, that would probably be the cheapest solution.

[PokeCatz]

Just now, Theguywhobea said:

As far as OUT OF BOX THERMALS goes that's not too bad, you could loosen up the curve a little and let it get to like 83C and you'll probably be fine. Other than that try to get some better airflow going on in your case, that would probably be the cheapest solution.

But then the card is even louder

[Theguywhobea]

1 minute ago, PokeCatz said:

But then the card is even louder

If you let the fan spin slower at 75C, it will get a bit hotter, but the fan will be quitter at 75C. It might not have to ramp the fan all the way up as high any more.

[AnalogCanavity]

NZXT G10 or 12

[Windows7ge]

If you have the room I've seen people strap a CPU cooler to the GPU. Similar to the hyper 212. You'd still have to cool the VRM and the VRAM but it'd be probably $40 if you can find the parts. Also it'd use up all the space below the GPU so it's not ideal at all. I once watercooled a Diamond 7970 and it just didn't go well for me. I don't know if the block was improperly milled or if the PCB specs were slightly off but the die just wasn't making good enough contact with the block and overheated easily. Made me sad and cost me a few $100 to plum it up.

[Jurrunio]

Undervolt.

[Morgan Everett]

Move to Iceland.

[Fire Lantern]

Mate, I just got an second hand XFX 7870 and jesus christ does this run hot. I've tried adjusting the curve and running at 85% fan speed (jet engine esq level) but after 3 minutes I still hit 80 degrees in fur mark.

[Maurer]

 Prolimatec mk-26

 

Has the added benefit of allowing you to use your own fans. Just make sure it fits your case. $65-75 on Amazon.

 

 https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s?k=prolimateck+mk-+26

 

Edited March 7, 2018 by Maurer

[Kc7vwc]

5 hours ago, PokeCatz said:

Currently I have the Diamond HD 7970, and since it's a reference cooler, temps are around 75 C during load, even after new thermal paste and it's still extremely loud. What would be the best way of cooling the GPU, without spending 100's of dollars on custom watercooling?

Some options I've seen around:

Arctic Accelero III or IV - Around $100 which is way more than I want to spend, and its extremely heavy and difficult to install. Also kind of rare because there's a specific version that works with the 7970:

NZXT GPU AIO Bracket: It's $30 just for the bracket which has literally one fan that blows on the VRM's. Then I would have to buy an AIO and I would have to buy a shim plate because of the 7970's recessed GPU die.

Full Custom Watercooling: That's like at least $200 and I've never done watercooling before.

Or the option I'm leaning towards:

Buying a dead 7970 that has a custom cooler but the reference PCB so that it will fit on my card.

-Thanks.

 

 

I think it was Jay who had a video recently of a special fan that had an adjustable arm. It was party of a radiator but could be purchased separate. Just get a couple of those, mount them nearby, & blow into the card. They were about $30 each, but way better than water loops.

My R9 390 always runs 75°c + but just putting a 120mm fan right next to it drops that into the 60s. 

[asand1]

Arctic Accelero II is only $50. Personally I prefer the design over the later models as well.

[TwoKillaBytes]

a Kraken G12 and a Corsair H55 maybe? You have to check with compatibility though. And the plus side of using a Kraken is you can re-use it if you buy another GPU. Downside though is there's no VRM cooling and you have to buy some Aluminum heatsink and thermal pads off Amazon. I used it on my EVGA 980Ti Superclocked (Reference) before. Brought the temps when gaming from 80c (Reference Cooler) to around 55-60c (Kraken G12 + 140mm AIO) Non OC'D.

[Bananasplit_00]

buy a dead card with an aftermarket cooler(make sure its using the refrence PCB tho), you can mix and match serveral generations of AMD cards coolers too, like you can stick a cooler from an RX card on there im pretty sure(given that the die is in the same spot relative to the PCB and so on)