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Zalman VF2000 LED in Pretty Pixels

domy85 said:
Its not copper, dont get it! :)
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All copper isn't necessarily always better.

Copper has a greater conductivity with physical touch, which is why it's used in bases and watercooling blocks.

Aluminum has a greater conductivity with air. So honestly, a copper base, copper heatpipes, and aluminum fins make for a great cooler if it's done right. Not to mention that a full copper GPU cooler can really give your card the "bends" ;)
 
i see gigabyte brand on the test , i just remember my old gigabyte 8800gt with zalman cooler it was run very cool with extreme overclock and sometimes with high voltage and 100% load and temp under 70c
 
DanishDevil said:
All copper isn't necessarily always better.

Copper has a greater conductivity with physical touch, which is why it's used in bases and watercooling blocks.

Aluminum has a greater conductivity with air. So honestly, a copper base, copper heatpipes, and aluminum fins make for a great cooler if it's done right. Not to mention that a full copper GPU cooler can really give your card the "bends" ;)
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i want to see studies of that for myself dude,
 
It's like VF830 on steroids (2 heatpiped, 80mm fan http://prohardver.hu/dl/new/2008-03/34254_zalman_vf830_leadtek.jpg). But they went and put a normal fan on it. My 8800gt with VF830 had pwm fan plugged straight to the card. Was nice and silent on idle and powerful when needed on load.

If this was with PWM fan and an adapter to motherboard sized 4-pin it would be better.

Wonder why it has the outer mount holes plugged? It would allow maybe to use it on G200 series, might not be able to handle the heat though.

Looks really nice though, would love to have a box full of those black zalman ramsinks.
 
eidairaman1 said:
i want to see studies of that for myself dude,
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There are LOTS of debates online. I'd actually like to find out definitively for myself now.

Basically, the argument is, does thermal conductivity work both ways?

Some people say that because aluminum is less dense, it can radiate the heat back into the air faster than copper can, but copper can absorb heat faster. With this theory, a copper base and aluminum fins would be best.

Others say that thermal conductivity works both ways, absorbing and radiating.

Other supporting evidence includes temperature gradients, and that using copper (and thus absorbing and holding more heat) creates a higher temperature gradient to allow the heat to transfer to the air more rapidly.

I've been reading this threat at least... http://episteme.arstechnica.com/6/ubb.x?q=Y&a=tpc&s=50009562&f=77909585&m=8490955581

It really is quite an interesting argument. I want Mythbusters to have a go at it!
 
Copper can conduct heat better than it can radiate. Radiation also plays a role in heat dissipation. Aluminum and its chrome-like sheen helps. Also that copper oxidizes in air over a period and its conductivity deteriorates. Copper is a lot more expensive.
 
Then why aren't the best performing coolers consistent of a copper base, copper heat pipes, and aluminum fins? They would outperform their full-copper competitors, and be cheaper to make. I think it's actually a fairly complicated, and definitely not straight-forward argument.

I'm going to make a thread about it so we don't crap the VF2000.

LINK: http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=83361
 
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