After Market Cooler for HD4850

[Widjaja]

I have the reference model HD4850 and this summer it has hit 108degC without any OC.
The card has always idled at 83deg C average and hit just under 100degC on average under load.

Despite still going strong the continual heat during gaming ends up making the whole room unbearable.

So basically I've had a guts full and I'm looking for a decent aftermarket cooler.

I am able to get these coolers:-
Xigmatek Battelaxe
AC Twin Turbo
AC S1 rev2
Thermal Take Duo Orb

I just want the card cooler, maybe in the 70degC bracket.

 

[DonInKansas]

I had a S1 rev2 on my 4850 and it was awesome. Never broke 65C under load, did even better when I strapped a 120mm fan on it.

 

[sweeper]

Have you tried to remove the stock cooler and check to see if there is a good fit onto the GPU? It's possible it may not be seated properly thus causing the heat problem. I'd pull it off and re-install it with some good thermal paste and see how it runs.

 

[DonInKansas]

The single slot 4850s are notorious for heat issues on stock cooling, so there's not much to be done with them besides replacing the cooler.

 

[Maban]

Blowing a fan on the back of the card helps a lot.

 

[Widjaja]

The single slot 4850s are notorious for heat issues on stock cooling, so there's not much to be done with them besides replacing the cooler.

Yeah I know this as well....
The card has always been like this but runs perfectly.
But the issue is now with discomfort in the room due to the excessive heat.

Blowing a fan on the back of the card helps a lot.

I would have given it a shot but the CPU cooler gets in the way.
I have enough case fans but it's the source of the heat which is the issue.

@Don
Did you use the the S1 rev2 silent to get about mid 60deg temps maybe 70-mid 70's
I don't know if it's possible with my case setup.

I'd say my case has positive air pressure rather than negative.

 

[DonInKansas]

Google any review on the cooler and you'll find impressive statistics regardless of case setup. If you're worried and have the space to do it, find a 120mm fan and a couple zipties and set it to blow on the card for even more cooling action. Anything's better than that fail stock cooler.

 

[TVman]

accelero s1 rev2 with a 120 mm fan is the cheapest solution,i did the same thing what you are trying to do!!! tho i didnt do it for the temps ,one of the fan blades came off and it started to make a horroble noise soo yea s1+120mm fan

 

[Widjaja]

I have not seen any reviews of the S1 Rev2 on a HD4850, just the HD4870 whenever I have googled.

I always found it a bit weird that AMD used what appears to be the HD3850 stock cooler on something which runs hotter.

 

[pantherx12]

T-rad 2

Don't even consider anything else XD


Running it actively at the moment but if you got a high airflow sidepanel fan its more then capable of running a 4850 passive with better then stock cooler temps, that's overclocked aswell

 

[Widjaja]

Odd.....the arctic cooling Twin turbo should be more expensive than the passive S1 Rev2
Even the Twin Turbo Pro with the 92mm fans is cheaper....

 

[p_o_s_pc]

the battle axe isn't a bad cooler. Used it on my 4850 didn't do bad but don't recommend it.The S1 rev 2 with a 120mm fan is the best

 

[pantherx12]

Whoops just re-read first post, can't get a t-rad then? in that case I reccomend the twin turbo, I've owned one of those as well, it ran about 10c hotter then my t-rad but its very quiet and still much better then stock.

 

[Widjaja]

Yeah the battle axe did get my attention due to it's looks and the core contact heat pipes.
But then again, all i need is a cooler gpu to stop me from getting cranky due to the heat.

I'll have to shop about but the winner appears to be the AC twin turbo at the moment as it doesn't appear to be bulky and will do the job.
I did notice the noise of the stock cooler recently.

 

[Widjaja]

AC Twin Turbo vs stock Update and first verdict.

I have installed the AC Twin Turbo

First the Negatives:-
1:-The sticky adhesive on the RAM sinks is CRAP!!
Right now I am concerned about whether the sinks will stay on as they were still able to shift pretty easily.

2:-This cooler needs a little modding to one of the RAM sinks and I mean a little modding.
The first fin needs to be bent a little away from the copper pipe to fit.
No big hassle but would be preferable if modding was not necessary.

3:-There is no cooling for the vregs, instead the fins are hovered over them but then maybe the vregs are not that strong on heat.

4:-I don't know if this was to do with anything but the fan settings in ATi Tray Tools was set to kick off at 60degC which my HD4850 could do without trying on a stock cooler.
Since then I have set it to kick off at 40degC with 31% fan speed.

Secondly the Positives:-

1:-Right now my Sapphire is hovering at 50degC
Much better than before.

Going to see what it gives off under rthdrbl for a bit and tell you the max load.

 

[JaYp146]

the battle axe isn't a bad cooler. Used it on my 4850 didn't do bad but don't recommend it.The S1 rev 2 with a 120mm fan is the best

The BattleAxe is an absolutely amazing heatsink ... but is near impossible to find these days. Not sure why Xigmatek didn't sell more.

 

[AsRock]

The BattleAxe is an absolutely amazing heatsink ... but is near impossible to find these days. Not sure why Xigmatek didn't sell more.

Little pricey but it's aimed to fit future cards too.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...i-Mount_Retention_System_Hot_Item.html?tl=g40

 

[Widjaja]

Update 2

On standard settings where the fans do not budge playing Race Driver GRID, doesn't even get past idle temps that I used to get.

BTW this is with a hot summer.

Stock Cooler Idle Temps after Gaming:-
83-84degC

AC Twin Turbo Idle Temps after Gaming GPU BIOS auto temps:-
70degC

Stock Cooler Max Temps recorded during Gaming:-
98-110degC

AC Twin Turbo Max Temps recorded during Gaming GPU BIOS auto temps:-
78degC

Now heres the impressive part.
AC Twin Turbo Idle Temps fan Max 1500rpm:-
40+degC
AC Twin Turbo Full Load Temps fan Max 1500rpm:-
50-51degC

Absolutely Impressive cooler.

No need for fans and it still runs cooler than stock cooler at idle.

Just remember.
A slight tweak is necessary for one of the RAM sinks to fit and and the adhesive is crap.

Another thing I have noticed to the fans under GPU BIOS auto temp settings do not kick in until 70degC and only one fan will kick in then.

Will post if something interesting comes up or fails

 

[pantherx12]

Aye they're great coolers, especially for how much they cost : ]

 

[AsRock]

Aye they're great coolers, especially for how much they cost : ]

Well over the last 2 years custom coolers cost me over $100 so this would be a saving IF the fits the next gen cards or even the a gen or 2 later it still save some cash ..

 

[Reefer86]

dont connect the twin turbo via the card use the molex connector and give it the full 12v it wants for better cooling. TBH i would set the twin turbo also at 100% manually as it runs very quiet!.

 

[niko084]

The single slot 4850s are notorious for heat issues on stock cooling, so there's not much to be done with them besides replacing the cooler.

You know I say this is every thread about 4850's and heat...

My 4850 never crosses 70c @ 745/1050 @ 60% fan speed *which isn't very loud* considering it's only that high when I'm gaming.

Stock the card would get up to and around 105-110c which these cards will run for years at.

I wouldn't consider it a heat "issue" by any and all means.

Not to say a good after market cooler is a bad idea, I'm highly considering picking up a AC myself for it.

 

[Widjaja]

@Reefer86
It appears the Sapphire HD4850's BIOS settings (first released BIOS) are set to deliver a certain voltage to the car catered for the stock cooler which is not enough for the twin turbo's fans to kick in after temperatures beyond what the stock would.
Still the cooling over the stock is much better.
The twin Turbo is quieter and cooler than the stock fan at any speed.

@niko084
Yes my HD4850 is a trooper even max load (stock cooler) on auto fans settings still a champ.
If you do replace the cooler, checkout the PCB and you should see how the heat has stained it.
It also appears my stock cooler has discolouration from the heat.

Oh yeah don't think the cooler will be of any use to someone who wants CF.
It takes up 3 slots.

I have the fans manually set to 60% and right now it's at 40degC idle instead of 83-84degC idle.
Over 40degC difference.