Zalman Heatpipe Troubles

runnerguy780

Alright, so I understand the whole heatpipe physics thing, but mine doesn't seem to work. I'm using the Zalman ZM80C-HP (w/fan) on my AIW Radeon 9800 and i'm still getting temps in excess of 55°C after a couple hours of gaming.

#1. Is this too hot for this card, cause with the stock cooler, it was running even hotter (65°C +)

#2. The heatpipe should be transfering heat to the other side, shouldn't it? Cause the other side of the heatsink is not even warm.

l33t

Check to see if the connections are tight enough, or too tight or too loose. Also make sure that you've applied proper amounts of AS5 to all the connections.

Icka' Prick

Did he say he was using AS5? If he did I am blind! Anyways I just bought a Zalman heatpipe and had a little trouble lining up the cooling blocks, they kept sliding due to the thermal grease but eventually got it on. Maby yours aren't on there right?

l33t

I don't think he did, but either way, he should.

runnerguy780

I'm using AC Ceramique, hey Icka, did you use the thermal compound that came with it?

Dai_Shan

well welcome to the forum!

Also no matter what happens....remember, at stock cooler(which is fine/good) you were running 10* warmer....so think of it this way....you added better cooling and you now have a temp 10* better thyen before. Not to shabby. And don't forget....thermal sensors are often wrong, so use change of temp as a reference.

Change of temp as a reference!? WTF am i talking about....

well...lets see.......startup your computer...quick check your VGA temps....if it is reading higher then your CPU/MOBO....it is most likely wrong by that difference...(since it most likely hasn't been stressed or heatedup...granted your cpu/mobo readings could be wrong....but thats another story)

so.... cpu temp 34* and vga is 45* (both idle temps)
most likely your vga card is temp is wrong by like 5-10* (on the high side) granted without knowing that your cpu temp reading is correct this is near speculation....but ....whatelse can you do.

But yea try reseating/reapplying etc... gL

edit: ceremique=some good stuff. will work out good for ya...(just use it very spare-ing-ly)

Icka' Prick

No, I used some AS5. I had extra lying around. I never use supplied thermal compound.

l33t

Is there adequate airflow in the case?

runnerguy780

I reapplied already once b4, it didn't help much but Ceramique has a burn in time of like 100 hrs i think... but i'm getting awsome heat transfer to the main heatsink, why isn't it going to the other side?

runnerguy780

Airflow, yah, i got 3 intake, 3 outtake, should i take the covers off the unused pci slots?

l33t

Naah that's not that important. You're in good shape. What's the case temperature?

runnerguy780

whew... well i already knew that was a problem, (36.5°C *blushing*)

Do your guys' computers heat up your rooms? Cause mine's like a freaking furnace.

Icka' Prick

Maybe you have a faulty heatpipe?

l33t

Mine heats up the room if the doors and windows are close, otherwise it's not that bad...I have a small dorm room though.

runnerguy780

Herm... well how would i know?

Icka' Prick

Yeah it heats up my room. 36.5°C is pretty damn hot. My case is at around 19.5C and that is not at idle. Well I do have all my fans running at max speed. Suprisingly my case tops out at around 26.6676db, I used a db meter to test this.

runnerguy780

mine's pretty loud, i'm not exactly sure, haven't invested in a db meter yet... i estimate about 45 db. How do you keep your case so cold?

Icka' Prick

Well the heatpipe should be cooler towards the GPU and get warmer from there out. That is the simple concept of a heatpipe. Heat up one side and the heat travels to the other side dissapating the heat from the core.

l33t

how do you have the 90 mm fan installed? towards the bottom or the top?

Icka' Prick

I have a aluminum chasis. 2 Intake fans in front (sucking in), 1 in back (blowing out), 1 on top (blowing out). I have a Cooler Master Praetorian and it has great airflow.