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Before anyone goes on reading and asks WHY ?....PROs and CONs summary: (based on what I have experienced so far)
PROs-----
- Cheap, overall (cost).
-
Cheap Fan replacements/upgrades using readily available case fans down the road.....- Memory Heatsinks included.
- Good Cooling capabilities (from what I have tested thus far).
- Fan speed has effect on cooling, as I have tried active, passive and alt fan speeds (ie. better cooling using better fans than the cheapies included, although included fans are still very good).
CONs-----
- Overall BIG coolers (if space is at a premium)
- 3pin fans included (wth 4pin molex extension), fan control on 3pin motherboard header or add-on controller only.
In summation, if I could acquire cheap PWM 4pin fans in corresponding sizes that I could cut the original connectors from the dead video cards fans to retrofit onto and plug the new fans directly onto the video cards themselves for speed management, this setup would be awesome.
Example...
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/90-80mm-x25mm-PWM-LGA775-Round-CPU-Fan-/150598747013?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2310628385#ht_2614wt_1396----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original post.....I ran into a few failing coolers and needed quick and easy replacements, so I decided to give a few of these a try.
Being a bit apprehensive due to the LOW prices, I was pleasantly surprised at the performance to say the least.
I have tried a couple models on HD5770's, HD5830 Extremes and HD6950's.These coolers are excellent replacements for cards that DO NOT REQUIRE MEMORY COOLING (most miners with lowered memory freq) or cards that HAVE AN ONBOARD VRM COOLER (6950).
The only downside I have found - THEY ARE BIG...These are excellent for MINING in an open rig where room is plenty, NOT FOR GAMING.*All included Fans = 4pin Molex + 3pin motherboard header-style combo, soft mounts.
(3pin/3wire native, so RPM control/monitoring is possible)Results and Recommendations:K91 (90mm fan included, no heatpipes) - under $10 USD inc shipping.http://www.ebay.ca/itm/PC-Computer-Video-Graphic-Card-cooler-VGA-K91-GT430-/250821916400?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6626b6f0#ht_7156wt_1396-------------------------------------
HD5770 - 58c 24/7 mining in 20c+ ambient, 1.2V, 960Mhz.
RECOMMENDED & CURRENTLY IN USE (even using Molex power, no fan control)
HD5830 - 80c+ Mining in 20c+ ambient - NOT RECOMMENDED.K90 (90mm fan included, 2 heatpipes) - approx $15 USD inc shipping.http://www.ebay.ca/itm/PC-Computer-Video-Graphic-Card-cooler-VGA-K90-HD5770-/260786200758?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb811a0b6#ht_7244wt_1396---------------------------------------------------------------
HD5830 - 61.5c 24/7 mining in 20c+ ambient, 1.163V, 975 Mhz.
RECOMMENDED & CURRENTLY IN USE (even using Molex power, no fan control)
HD6950 - 85c+ Mining in 20c+ ambient - NOT RECOMMENDED.K120 (4 heatpipes, no 120mm fan included) - approx $30 USD inc shipping.http://www.ebay.ca/itm/PC-Computer-Video-Graphic-Card-cooler-VGA-K120-GTX460-/260968488899?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc2ef1fc3#ht_9132wt_1396--------------------------------------------------------------------
HD6950 - On order and will report soon, BUT CONFIDENT once implemented ...comparing to shitty OEM XFX Single Fan 6950 Coolers (and results above).
Other models not tried (no need to, can assume performance based on the above).
- 80mm 2 Heatpipe w/Fan. $15 (k80)
- 80mm 4 Heatpipe w/Fan. $22 (k80D)
- 100mm 2 Heatpipe w/Fan. $15 (k101D)
- 100mm 4 Heatpipe w/Fan. $25 (k101F)
Take with a grain of salt as usual, YMMV.
Hope this helps some people in the same position.
Ebay Seller's Listings -
http://www.ebay.ca/sch/she-in/m.html?_nkw=vga+cooler