Replacing GPU fan

**Punkus** · May 04, 2006, 02:17 PM

I need a new fan (or heat dissipation device) for my ATI 9600 Pro card. I have done some research and it seems to me that the ZALMAN VF700-ALCU fan cooler might be the way to go. However, it costs around $28, not counting S&H if I order it online, and on top of that it is entirely possible it may not fit or attach to my card properly when I install it.

I should note that I've read it perhaps would be possible to go with only a heatsink and not worry about a fan and all the problems involved with moving parts. This option I am less sure of, and without more solid information I will stick with getting another fan.

I would appreciate any information anyone might have regarding replacing fans and GPU cooling in general. Thanks.

**HorseArcher** · May 04, 2006, 02:26 PM

Since your card isn't like the latest and greatest, plus it doesn't need a huge blowing fan like those, I think you could get away a lot cheaper:

these should do the job right for your card and they are compatible:

http://www.jab-tech.com/Evercool-VC-...r-pr-2291.html

http://www.jab-tech.com/Evercool-VC-RF-pr-3229.html

**westy159** · May 04, 2006, 03:12 PM

The fan on your card is faulty? If so you should be able to get a replacement from ATI (See if they will replace the whole card, sometimes they will give you a more up to date one for free :wink: )

**Punkus** · May 04, 2006, 05:19 PM

Thank you Archer, those links are very helpful indeed. I really don't see a need to spend $30 on a card fan; that's partly why I was hoping for some people to post a reply.

The only other question I would have about the Evercool fans you linked is this: do you have any experience buying from this Jab-tech site? I try to avoid buying online from companies I know nothing about, and if you have had any experience I'd appreciate hearing of it. Of course, I'd go to a store near here and get one if I could think of a place that carried gpu fans. Lots of places I know of have the big case fans and cooling systems, but few related to peripheral cards.

In the meantime I'll research this particular fan some more. Thanks again.

**Erik** · May 06, 2006, 01:46 PM

hello fellow 9600 pro owner.

Originally Posted by Punkus

Lots of places I know of have the big case fans and cooling systems, but few related to peripheral cards.

Maybe you can scavage one from a different part, like a slot cooler.
Just ask those shops if they have anything with a small fan.
Or maybe you can even get one secondhand somewhere.

We are just talking about a small fan here, it's not exactly rocketscience.

If you have enough room in your case maybe you can even stick a case fan under there.
Anything that generates a little airflow over you heatsink is enough, a 9600 pro doesn't require much cooling (but I wouldn't run the stock heatsink without any air circulation)

**Punkus** · May 07, 2006, 01:10 AM

Thanks everyone for the assistance. I really appreciate it.

That's all I wanted to say. :original:

**Gaius Baltar** · May 04, 2006, 05:22 PM

I have a Dell XPS Gen4 with a NVIDIA GeForce 6800 256MB card.

Generally runs around 60c, depending on the ambient temperature.

I have found that if I place a 4" fan behind the CPU and direct it at the bottom, it will decrease video card tempeature anywhere from 5c to 15c, again depending on the ambient temperature, fan speed, etc.

Works just as well or better than a card fan, and is much cheaper and easier to work with.

**HorseArcher** · May 04, 2006, 05:55 PM

do you have any experience buying from this Jab-tech site?

I don't, but I only heard good from them, coming from overclocking websites. If you have a doubt, just copy in the model name into your google and see who else sells it.

That's what I do. check newegg.com, I know they are one of the most reliable about computer stuff.

Originally Posted by Gaius Baltar

I have found that if I place a 4" fan behind the CPU and direct it at the bottom,

I'm trying to lower my overall temperature as well and i'm experimenting with different fan-setups.
Can you better elaborate how you place a fan behind your CPU?

**Gaius Baltar** · May 04, 2006, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by Archer

I don't, but I only heard good from them, coming from overclocking websites. If you have a doubt, just copy in the model name into your google and see who else sells it.

That's what I do. check newegg.com, I know they are one of the most reliable about computer stuff.

I'm trying to lower my overall temperature as well and i'm experimenting with different fan-setups.
Can you better elaborate how you place a fan behind your CPU?

I apologize. I did not mean this as a replacement for a GPU cooling fan. Only a cheap, and easy addition that will work wonders for the GPU temperature. Consists of a 4" floor fan.

**HorseArcher** · May 04, 2006, 08:08 PM

not bad, but i would pay attention to that dust gathering up on the back of your PC. It obstruct the air passages and makes your system run hot. Dust is a Curse for fans and basically the PC. I'm thinking about getting one of those new cases with air filters installed to keep the dust in control. Don't worry, i have to crack open my PC at least once a month for a big dust-clean up.

check this out:

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11319_7-6240575-8.html

**Gaius Baltar** · May 04, 2006, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Archer

not bad, but i would pay attention to that dust gathering up on the back of your PC. It obstruct the air passages and makes your system run hot. Dust is a Curse for fans and basically the PC. I'm thinking about getting one of those new cases with air filters installed to keep the dust in control. Don't worry, i have to crack open my PC at least once a month for a big dust-clean up.

I feel so dirty

I try and do a cleanup every now and then, but the dust accumulates like a magnet to the PC.

The fan also helps mask the PC sounds, works like a white noise source.

**Hadrian** · May 04, 2006, 11:35 PM

Cool photo Gaius! I did something very similar with my Dell8400. To help my Radeon X850XT, I ran a 6" floor fan,not straight at it, but parallel to the back of my rig, to help pull the vented hot air away and increase airflow back there. Worked pretty well because the X850's blower vents all the exhaust out the second slot!

If you still have the thin foam pad your mainboard sat on in the retail box,cut it up to fit your intakes cause it makes great filters, and its washable! My Antec P180 Case had an unfiltered intake vent in back,and I did this, and it works great...

**Timmius** · May 05, 2006, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by Punkus

I need a new fan (or heat dissipation device) for my ATI 9600 Pro card. I have done some research and it seems to me that the ZALMAN VF700-ALCU fan cooler might be the way to go. However, it costs around $28, not counting S&H if I order it online, and on top of that it is entirely possible it may not fit or attach to my card properly when I install it.

I should note that I've read it perhaps would be possible to go with only a heatsink and not worry about a fan and all the problems involved with moving parts. This option I am less sure of, and without more solid information I will stick with getting another fan.

I would appreciate any information anyone might have regarding replacing fans and GPU cooling in general. Thanks.

For installation issues, you can just check the website and their support list. They have excellent flash videos that illustrate how to install a new cooler.
As for buying a cheaper fan as said above. Keep in mind that you have a big chance of re-useing zalman GPU coolers. Probably even on models that are still to come. Besides that I'm pretty sure the zalman is a lot cooler and quieter.

**HorseArcher** · May 05, 2006, 12:08 PM

Zalman products are far by the best coolers ever. Not just they keep your machine cool, but their products are easy to clean (no weird passages that hard to reach) with a simple compressed air. Imagine how much easier to clean off this compare to this monster looking craziness. (not to mention and just how much simpler and cleaner the zalman looks and does the job the same way or even better)

Not to mention that if you want a quiet PC you go with Zalman. I have this for a very long time and it gives an extra boost to keep my PC cool inside, not to mention it's quiet as a dead church mouse. All the other fans makes my PC sounds like a vacuum cleaner. I'm thinking to go completely Zalman products in my next setup, since my PC is cool right now, but noisy due to the cheap fans.

**Hadrian** · May 05, 2006, 03:41 PM

Man Archer, I wish I could do those kind of software applications like you do with your THIS and THIS! If you get a chance, please explain how you do that...

**iKossu** · May 05, 2006, 03:56 PM

Well, I have never replaced a GPU fan but I've replaced CPU (Processor) fan. I suggest that you select a passive cooling system because they're silent. And since your card is Radeon 9600 Pro, there are passive cooling system easily powerful enough.