Opinions Needed - OC Gear =)

[phobes]

So I've done a bit of research on two products, the Zalman VF900 CU 2 and the Ultra ChillTec Thermal Electric CPU Cooler.

I thought it might be wise if, before buying these two products, I asked a few OC gurus there opinion on these two products, to make sure they're worth buying and are compatible with what I have.

My video card is listed in my specs, it's an EVGA e-Geforce 8800GTS KO ACS3 320MB. I'm wondering if the Zalman VF900 is first of all compatible, and second of all if it's any better at cooling the GPU/Memory than the stock gear. Here are two images of my card, and a link for quick reference.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130040

And here's the Zalman:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835118001

I'm currently using the Zalman 9700 to cool my 6420, but want to push my OC a bit further. From the reviews I've read, including the video review by 3D Game Man, the ChillTec Peltier cooler seems to live up to its claims. Link and Pics:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2353734&Sku=ULT33186

Does anyone else have experience with these two products? If so, any advice or warning would be great!

 

[JC316]

The VF 900 isn't compatible with the 8800 card. It's not that great anyway, it gave crap performance on my X1800XT.

TBH, I think that the Air cooler Pelt doesn't do worth a crap, you would be much better off getting a water cooling kit.

 

[JC316]

Heck at full load, 3.2GHZ he gets 49*c load. I have my CPU at 3.3GHZ with a cheap Thermaltake air cooler and I reach 50*C full load. My cooler cost 25 bucks shipped. Seriously, a good aircooler will do just as good, if not better than that TEC POS for much cheaper.

 

[phobes]

I get about 29 idle, 50ish full load with my Zalman 9700, but that's with a 32% OC. The idea behind the TEC is (I think), the harder you push your OC the colder the TEC gets, which gives you potential for a higher and more stable OC. The problem I'm having now is I can't raise my voltages up more that .5 past stock without my processor getting extremely hot, which could be the motherboard, but I doubt it.

Water cooling is out of the question; my box gets moved around far too often, would end up an expensive disaster

I don't suppose I need to OC my video card, as it's OC'd out of the box, and runs extremely hot as is. Probably best just to leave it alone

 

[JC316]

I get about 29 idle, 50ish full load with my Zalman 9700, but that's with a 32% OC. The idea behind the TEC is (I think), the harder you push your OC the colder the TEC gets, which gives you potential for a higher and more stable OC. The problem I'm having now is I can't raise my voltages up more that .5 past stock without my processor getting extremely hot, which could be the motherboard, but I doubt it.

Water cooling is out of the question; my box gets moved around far too often, would end up an expensive disaster

I don't suppose I need to OC my video card, as it's OC'd out of the box, and runs extremely hot as is. Probably best just to leave it alone

The TEC on that unit isn't going to do anything because the air cooler can't transfer the heat fast enough. All of the good TEC's are done with water cooling to keep the TEC cool. And you already get the same type of temps with the Zalman 9700. What they were showing was full load, so it's not going to get any cooler with that TEC unit.

 

[phobes]

Okay, I must have misunderstood the data given in the reviews

 

[JC316]

Okay, I must have misunderstood the data given in the reviews

Yeah, they are good at that. I almost bought on of those units until I read more reviews and got help from some TEC experts here.

 

[cdawall]

if you upgrade the cooler on you GPU go for this one

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=40433


and for your cpu i would do this one with dual 120mm fans

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835109140

 

[KennyT772]

The vf1000 looks promising but the hr-03 with the 8800 kit is your best bet. Just to warn you it is very very large.

 

[cdawall]

not to mention its a pain in the ass to install

 

[phobes]

if you upgrade the cooler on you GPU go for this one

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=40433


and for your cpu i would do this one with dual 120mm fans

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835109140

Thanks for the advice! Those two have some seriously good reviews, and both together cost less than what I was looking at before!

What is the recommended 120mm fan for that Ultra-120 Extreme?

 

[The "GEEK"]

Yes I am using the Ultra Chilltec Peltier cooler. Seems to keep my CPU very cool averages around 10-13 degrees. The one thing I was NOT prepared for was the SIZE of the Peltier. WOW it is huge, so becareful during installing of course you install with the board out-of-case but I ran into trouble when I put the board with the Chilltec attached back into the case. I had NO room at the back of the board, very tight fit. I was trying for hours to get my liitle LED in the behind the peltier for the LCD poster for the Maximus Formula SE.So I would advise you attach this LCD poster LED first, even though it may be a pain to get the board,peltier and LCD unit into the case. Doing so after really results in multiple slicing of the hands on the fins of the Chilltec. Other than that (size & space issue) I think it performs quite well. I think the CPU temp of usually 11 degree steady is a good temp.