Aftermarket cooling for HD5870 Ref. Design

[Delavan]

Yes it's a V2 but i think they use they same component's, just different placement compared to stock?

No, they used a slightly different design, especially for the power stages. The thing is: VRM temperatures can't be compared between reference and V2. Not that it's a big deal, just for the sake of comparing apples to apples.

[CroSsFiRe2009]

There's a 5870 specific heatsink out for it now from AC. However, it's also possible to order parts from the online store. It might not be a bad idea to see how much it is to order just the vrm heatsink from the 5870 from AC itself. The only issue would be the shipping cost.

[Delavan]

Crossfire2009,

Thanks for your post, but too bad you didn't read the whole topic. On page 2, I mentioned that I actually DID buy the Accelero Extreme 5870 from AC and it came with non-serviceable thermal tape on the memory sinks. On top of that, apparently, VRM cooling using the AC's dedicated VRM heatsink is lacking compared to the stock cooler (in FURMARK...regular gaming doesn't stress the VRMs as much).

I got a RMA number to ship back the Accelero to the etailer. I tried to buy thermal tape locally, to no avail.
I'm NOT going out to buy a full roll of tape, fork $30 for that, price that would be added to the Accelero's price...

[CroSsFiRe2009]

Ah oops, totally missed that part about it. Thought you bought the Twin Turbo. Thermal tape seems hard to come by in most computer shops. I know NCIX has the 3M stuff for a $1.50 a square but since you were looking for local guess it wasnt an option. What are your plans now for cooling it?

[Delavan]

Well, I NEED some of that Tape, NCIX is looking into it. Getting some tape for free would be an acceptable way to get out of that RMA situation.
On top of that, I bought nylon nuts & bolts (needless to say they're small), to re-install the factory back plate on the card, to prevent it from sagging. Nylon being non-conductive, It's ok.
I won't OC the card, so the VRM issue MIGHT be a non-issue. I won't run FURMARK either.

It would be nice to find a stock cooler, take it apart, take the plate off it, and sandwich the PCB between the stock cooler plate( good at cooling VRMs) and the backplate...it could be challenging to do, and even more challenging to find a second-hand stock cooler for cheap. Maybe it's not worth it.
I should of bought a Vapor-X and call it quits...

Something like that:

Google Image Result for http://www.overclock.net/attachments/ati-cooling/144924d1267935970-aftermarket-cooling-solutions-ati-hd-5850-dsc00449.jpg

Oh, I don't know I might just sell the darn cooler, it's still in the package...I guess this Fall/Winter (with lower room temps) might just do it for now and drop the temps a few extra degrees...and I'll pass the card on to my little one next year and get what 's new.

But I swear the god, with CAT10.5 I had lower temps!