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XFX 6850 - plastic shroud removal

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Picked up two 6850's for a crossfire system on my dad's machine. His motherboard (asus) has the pci-e slots so close together the cards are basically touching. This means they are overheating (or at the very least, near their limit) based on GPU-Z while running 3dmark11 to test it. I am thinking that removing the plastic on the topmost card would allow air to flow in and cool things better. GPU-Z indicates sensors show temps hit 80*C during 3dmark11.

Is it possible to remove the plastic shroud on the uppermost card so the card will get better airflow? Has anyone ever removed the plastic shrouds? How do I do so without breaking anything?

Thanks! :toast:

 
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Can the shroud come off seperate from the heatsink?
 
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I think even though you remove the plastic shroud that it might not help that much as the heatsink also comes up and surrounds the fan also.
 
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Actully i think you can remove that shroud with no problem as i think its like this one in this pic (http://cdn.overclock.net/b/bc/bc4cff34_cooler2.jpeg) which looks pretty much the same as the VF900-Cu you might get better cooling with it off hard to say but i don't think it will hurt anything taking it off
 
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You can remove it like in the pic eisfx shown. plastic clips on to the heatsink.

I have done this with similar shroud and no issue less heat is trapped too.
 
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I woudnt the shroud is there for a reason. Just put a 120 fan directly on them
 
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Picked up two 6850's for a crossfire system on my dad's machine. His motherboard (asus) has the pci-e slots so close together the cards are basically touching. This means they are overheating (or at the very least, near their limit) based on GPU-Z while running 3dmark11 to test it. I am thinking that removing the plastic on the topmost card would allow air to flow in and cool things better. GPU-Z indicates sensors show temps hit 80*C during 3dmark11.

Is it possible to remove the plastic shroud on the uppermost card so the card will get better airflow? Has anyone ever removed the plastic shrouds? How do I do so without breaking anything?

Thanks! :toast:

http://i.imgur.com/4PU6h.jpg

what motherboard from asus? how is the case airflow?
 

Huddo93

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In my opinion, the next best thing is to get a slimmer aftermarket GPU cooler, I'm not very familiar with them but I'm sure if you asked the question people would respond with helpful models.
 

canotryss

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yeah,F900-Cu you might get better cooling with it off hard to say but i don't think it will hurt anything taking it off
 
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My dad got frustrated with it and decided to just sell one card. He said he almost got the shroud off but then was worried he'd break it and didnt want to go through the hassle I guess. Sadly that about halves his 3dmark11 score!
 

de.das.dude

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removing the shroud will decrease the efficiency of the heatsink. the shroud is there for a reason other than looking pretty.

it makes the air follow along the heatsink instead of escaping away.

what you can do is add a speedy fan on the side panel :)
 

FreedomEclipse

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what you can do is add a speedy fan on the side panel :)

I recommend Silverstone Air Penetrators for this job specially on the side panel. I've done the same and its dropped my load and idle temps quite dramatically as the air is directly channelled over the hot cards and through the space in between them
 

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^indeed, something of that sort would be great. another good idea would be to have an exhaust instead. it will help maintain a low pressurei nside, and this is most suited if you have two front intakes so that the gpu can suck in air from that :)
 
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Picked up two 6850's for a crossfire system on my dad's machine. His motherboard (asus) has the pci-e slots so close together the cards are basically touching. This means they are overheating (or at the very least, near their limit) based on GPU-Z while running 3dmark11 to test it. I am thinking that removing the plastic on the topmost card would allow air to flow in and cool things better. GPU-Z indicates sensors show temps hit 80*C during 3dmark11.http://i.imgur.com/4PU6h.jpg
I am surprised that no one mention this yet, 80C is not overheating for a 6870.
It is high but still within safe temps.
 
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I am surprised that no one mention this yet, 80C is not overheating for a 6870.
It is high but still within safe temps.
:eek:

im not surprised since its a 6850... (well my XFX HD6850 BE was between 69 and 75~ on high load stress test also 80` isnt that much hot even for a 6850):roll:
 
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