BFG GTX 280 OCX 1GB Video Card Review

The GTX 280 Heatsink

The underside of the GTX 280 heatsink is reminiscent of the older G80 style units with a large copper base plate and an aluminum heat spreader which makes direct contact with the ram modules, VRMs and NVIO chip. In true Nvidia fashion, there is a copious amount of thermal compound between the IHS and the copper base which is actually quite sticky as well.

Unlike other Nvidia coolers we have seen in the past, the copper contact plate on this one is polished to a shine and even though it shows some minor tooling marks it is of very good quality.


Once the shroud is removed it is apparent that the G200 core needs some serious cooling. The copper base is attached to three large 8mm heatpipes which run up to the aluminum fins in order to quickly disperse the heat generated by the core. The end of one of the heatpipes is also attached to the black metal runner that runs the length of the card to disperse yet more heat. It is actually quite amazing to see the amount of engineering that has gone into this heatsink.


The fan used on this card is an 80mm unit Protechnic Magic unit which we could not find the official ratings for. As has already been mentioned, it is directed downwards towards the base of the cooler in order to clear the capacitors and move more air across the bottom of the aluminum fins.