Accelero Xtreme GTX 280 mini review and support

[kyle2020]

Im a bit pissed off tbh. My Xtreme arrived today however one of the 3 fans does not work, so now I have the joy of sending it back.

 

[xmas2]

Im a bit pissed off tbh. My Xtreme arrived today however one of the 3 fans does not work, so now I have the joy of sending it back.

I feel sorry for you

i just don't get it with Arctic Cooling Accelero... too much complains of failed fans... useless VRM heatsink (wich falls off very often), stupid back plate which falls off too and is hard to bent in right way to touch all ram chips
why not to test it a bit more and make something like BETA testing so people out of their company could say their opinion before product gets to stores...
for example i had a contract with one firm and they sent me their products for testing - that was great as afterwards i saw almost no complains at forums on their products... bust most of the firms do not even care of reading what user think of their products to focus on problems in future....

this Accelero only needs some little improvements to be the best solution for 280GTX

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

yep, that would be the best solution but the only way i can get that original heatsink is to pay 13$ for it which is a bit expensive for me right now

I need to dig up a metric ruler and I'll snap a few pics.

 

[OnBoard]

Im a bit pissed off tbh. My Xtreme arrived today however one of the 3 fans does not work, so now I have the joy of sending it back.

Oh Not a good start, hope new comes soon. Add more fans and you get a bigger chance of one dud.

Mine are still going strong. Was one of the first in the world owning one and they have been spinning 24/7 ever since. So if they are prone to fail, mine will be the first Doubt they are though, if they work from the start they'll work until dust/time kills them.

That is an interesting idea. My TR plate is also unused, but my drawing is terrible, perhaps I can try to illustrate/measure it somehow. I would think it may be difficult to properly show the vrm contact points though, best solution for xmas2 would be to have an actual TR plate. I will also see if I can come up with something.

I need to dig up a metric ruler and I'll snap a few pics.

I'm excited to see how this turns out. Always nice when there is something special in the making.

 

[maxinsd]

I just wanted to thank the guys for this post it really helped a FNG like me get over the hurdle. Otherwise i would have just returned the dam thing. Temps are not any better but it defintely does not make any noise

 

[kyle2020]

The fan that wasnt working was damaged in transit, I popped the fan shroud off and the underside of it is split right through the middle. Luckily though scan have been very helpful and it is being collected tomorrow for replacement. For now, Im back to the HR seeing as my stock cooler doesnt work properly.

 

[OnBoard]

I just wanted to thank the guys for this post it really helped a FNG like me get over the hurdle. Otherwise i would have just returned the dam thing. Temps are not any better but it defintely does not make any noise

You're welcome, good that you got it working

You have had some awesome temps before, if you didn't see any gain. Full load is where this thing shines.

The fan that wasnt working was damaged in transit, I popped the fan shroud off and the underside of it is split right through the middle. Luckily though scan have been very helpful and it is being collected tomorrow for replacement. For now, Im back to the HR seeing as my stock cooler doesnt work properly.

Poor fan. Wonder what they'll do with it once it gets replaced. New fan shroud and new thermal paste and it would be good to go. Hope you get replacement soon.

 

[killswitch]

Just finished reading this awesome thread, didn't skip a single post but I still doubt I get it right. So if I have 65nm GTX260, the VRM sink included with Accelero will suffice?

They work for 65nm GTX 280 and also for 65nm GTX 260, although 260 with its lover core voltage works ok with the supplied VRM sink too.

Wanted to buy this cooler just for getting lower VRM temps

 

[OnBoard]

Just finished reading this awesome thread, didn't skip a single post but I still doubt I get it right. So if I have 65nm GTX260, the VRM sink included with Accelero will suffice?

Wanted to buy this cooler just for getting lower VRM temps

You get thanks just for reading the whole thing, it's quite massive now

Doubt you get lower VRM temps with the Accelero sink, but works well for Kursah (he has 65nm GTX 260).

What temps are you hitting on VRM now? Mine goes to about 80C with couple hours FarCry2 maxed. That's with cooler under half speed (and some 25C ambient).

It's more of cooler card overall + lack of noise with this one. Stock cooler has a heatpipe going from VRM area to the heatsink on top of core. So only way to keep VRM temps lower with it to keep GPU temp down -> raise fan speed.

 

[killswitch]

No, thank you, you did a bloody good job

I wanted to re-apply MX-2 grease on GPU cause the original one was a bit dried-out, hence not giving optimal cooling results, but somehow I managed to damage some thermal pads on VRMs and didn't noticed it at first time. Thought everything's a OK until I tried Furmark, VRM temps went through the roof and maxed out around 138 centigrade. So I thought instead of ordering new thermal pads (they are quite expensive - like half of the price of Accelero and unavailable where I live), I'll buy Accelero, cause I started to hate the noise of the stock cooler anyway.

Sorry, I know it's a little off-topic but before I buy new cooler that is worth 1/4 the card, I wanted to be sure that my VRM temps won't be even worse. Guess I'll have to buy&try.

Still, thank you guys, all of you. And sorry for my english

 

[OnBoard]

No, thank you, you did a bloody good job

I wanted to re-apply MX-2 grease on GPU cause the original one was a bit dried-out, hence not giving optimal cooling results, but somehow I managed to damage some thermal pads on VRMs and didn't noticed it at first time. Thought everything's a OK until I tried Furmark, VRM temps went through the roof and maxed out around 138 centigrade. So I thought instead of ordering new thermal pads (they are quite expensive - like half of the price of Accelero and unavailable where I live), I'll buy Accelero, cause I started to hate the noise of the stock cooler anyway.

Sorry, I know it's a little off-topic but before I buy new cooler that is worth 1/4 the card, I wanted to be sure that my VRM temps won't be even worse. Guess I'll have to buy&try.

Still, thank you guys, all of you. And sorry for my english

The original thermal pads on the VRMs are quite tiny and half messed up already in the factory installation. Some have used the excess of memory pads to fix them (same stuff, works), but it's all a bit fix here, fail there.

That 138C should only happen on GTX 280, if you haven't volt modded your card, you won't get anywhere near that number. And if you aren't happy on the VRM temps you get, you can always chop the stock cooler (as shows in 1st page), now that it's not working optimum anyways

You'll enjoy the silence with Accelero. Price is a bit steep but it has everything ready for your card. I suggest that you use the original back plate, stays on better than the Accelero one with thermal tape, or just use memory sinks.

ps. your English is fine

 

[xmas2]

Can anyone tell me which HSI Heatsink works better? is it from Accelero or from Thermalright?
And which RAM heatsink cools better - Thermalright or those blue ones from Zalman?

also wanted to ask if someone compared VRM heatsinks from Accelero and from Thermalright?

Will update on custom copper heatsink next week

 

[killswitch]

...but it's all a bit fix here, fail there.

Exactly. I tried to reconstruct the pads, but it didn't work out very well... Also tried replacing the pads for two layers of Akasa thermal adhesive tape, but it wasn't anything better.

I guess I'll give the Accelero a try. Worst case scenario is buying Enzos if the supplied VRM sink wouldn't suffice. Sure I will post my results as soon as I'll have time to install it.

Will update on custom copper heatsink next week

Looking forward to it mate

 

[OnBoard]

Can anyone tell me which HSI Heatsink works better? is it from Accelero or from Thermalright?
And which RAM heatsink cools better - Thermalright or those blue ones from Zalman?

also wanted to ask if someone compared VRM heatsinks from Accelero and from Thermalright?

Will update on custom copper heatsink next week

Hmm, you got some weird questions

There's no HSI bridge in native PCI-E cards, but Thermalright HSI heatsink has more fin area, than others I've seen.

Thermalright doesn't sell ram sinks at all, but if you have some supplied with their VGA coolers, they would be better (bigger). Zalman has great surface area on it's ram sinks, but they are pretty light. Zalman does how ever have higher ones of the blue sinks too:
http://www.quietpc.com/ie-en-eur/products/vgacoolers/zm-rhs1

Those would beat the Thermalright stock sinks

Thermalright VRM heatsink also wins easily, as it has proper mount and is bigger.

 

[OnBoard]

Exactly. I tried to reconstruct the pads, but it didn't work out very well... Also tried replacing the pads for two layers of Akasa thermal adhesive tape, but it wasn't anything better.

I guess I'll give the Accelero a try. Worst case scenario is buying Enzos if the supplied VRM sink wouldn't suffice. Sure I will post my results as soon as I'll have time to install it.

Cool, one more to the Accelero family. More results is also nice. NVIDIA stock pads are kinda rare breed, they are like goopy silicon paste mixed with fiberglass strands. So they are more thermal paste than thermal tape.

 

[killswitch]

Found this while I was surfin' through the waters of teh interwebs, seems pretty interesting.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=cs&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.technic3d.com/Forum/lesertest/erfahrungsbericht-gtx-260-216-65nm-accelero-xtreme-t15212.0.html%253Bmsg193495&rurl=translate.google.com#msg193495 (scroll down to second post)
Only wish I had the tools + skill + material

 

[xmas2]

Found this while I was surfin' through the waters of teh interwebs, seems pretty interesting.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=cs&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.technic3d.com/Forum/lesertest/erfahrungsbericht-gtx-260-216-65nm-accelero-xtreme-t15212.0.html%253Bmsg193495&rurl=translate.google.com#msg193495 (scroll down to second post)
Only wish I had the tools + skill + material

No skill or tools are needed there - it's just a sheet of copper with ram heatsinks sticked on top... you just need a copper sheet and make 4 holes in it, copper ram heatsinks and thermalpad.... that's all...
I just don't see much reason for attaching such heatsink on the back of the card.... does it really heats so much from the back from those VRMs? i wish i cud make measurements to see that

 

[xmas2]

Hmm, you got some weird questions

There's no HSI bridge in native PCI-E cards, but Thermalright HSI heatsink has more fin area, than others I've seen.

Thermalright doesn't sell ram sinks at all, but if you have some supplied with their VGA coolers, they would be better (bigger). Zalman has great surface area on it's ram sinks, but they are pretty light. Zalman does how ever have higher ones of the blue sinks too:
http://www.quietpc.com/ie-en-eur/products/vgacoolers/zm-rhs1

Those would beat the Thermalright stock sinks

Thermalright VRM heatsink also wins easily, as it has proper mount and is bigger.

1. I just wanted to know if someone tested HSI heatsinks from our Accelero and that thermalright... i got both of those heatsinks so i just want to hoose which one will transfer heat better.
2. Also i recieved ram heatsinks from thermalright - right now i have those small ones from zalman and if thermalright works better then i will change those...
3. And has anyone seen somewhere or tested himself to see what difference is there between Accelero, Thermalright and that cut from original cooler? i mean exact numbers to see the real difference... i want to make a table with all those temperatures...

My copper heatsink will be ready next week i hope - just recieved confirmation that spareparts for our milling mashines were sent out to us

 

[killswitch]

I just don't see much reason for attaching such heatsink on the back of the card.... does it really heats so much from the back from those VRMs? i wish i cud make measurements to see that

No skill or tools are needed there - it's just a sheet of copper with ram heatsinks sticked on top... you just need a copper sheet and make 4 holes in it, copper ram heatsinks and thermalpad.... that's all...

Assuming I'll have the copper sheet in right size straight away, 4 holes still needs to be drilled and since I'm not Cyclops, I WOULD need a driller at least And trust me, even if I had everything needed, I would mess the whole thing up

My copper heatsink will be ready next week i hope - just recieved confirmation that spareparts for our milling mashines were sent out to us

Hooray

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

1. I just wanted to know if someone tested HSI heatsinks from our Accelero and that thermalright... i got both of those heatsinks so i just want to hoose which one will transfer heat better.
2. Also i recieved ram heatsinks from thermalright - right now i have those small ones from zalman and if thermalright works better then i will change those...
3. And has anyone seen somewhere or tested himself to see what difference is there between Accelero, Thermalright and that cut from original cooler? i mean exact numbers to see the real difference... i want to make a table with all those temperatures...

My copper heatsink will be ready next week i hope - just recieved confirmation that spareparts for our milling mashines were sent out to us

Let us know if your willing to make any to sell. I'm sure that I'll buy one.

 

[xmas2]

Hmm... i suppose i'll have to make a custom heatsink to the back of the card also... i wish a had that thermal camera to see how hot will it be with my custom heatsinks...

uff, i hope my video card won't fall in 2 pieces with all that extra weight from all the heatsinks...


PS! before thinking of selling i need to finish one and test it If everything goes well and the price won't be too high in the end then why not to make some for selling

 

[OnBoard]

Found this while I was surfin' through the waters of teh interwebs, seems pretty interesting.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=cs&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.technic3d.com/Forum/lesertest/erfahrungsbericht-gtx-260-216-65nm-accelero-xtreme-t15212.0.html%253Bmsg193495&rurl=translate.google.com#msg193495 (scroll down to second post)
Only wish I had the tools + skill + material

That's pretty extreme Pity half of the image links don't work, would have been nice to see the results he got. edit: Well they worked after all and idle was 45C, 4min load 102C, 8min load 112C. Doesn't seem like worth all that trouble as I don't hit more with my GTX 280 and he was using GTX 260.

Seems he is using ONLY that backside copper cooler: http://profile.imageshack.us/user/diog/images/detail/#156/pic9.jpg and my stock cooler chopping has started a trend http://profile.imageshack.us/user/diog/images/detail/#211/pic4o.jpg

edit2: hmm, stock screws fit Accelero too? http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5243/pic10v.jpg Didn't even come to mind to test that. Have to change them some day, they look better than Accelero ones.

1. I just wanted to know if someone tested HSI heatsinks from our Accelero and that thermalright... i got both of those heatsinks so i just want to hoose which one will transfer heat better.
2. Also i recieved ram heatsinks from thermalright - right now i have those small ones from zalman and if thermalright works better then i will change those...
3. And has anyone seen somewhere or tested himself to see what difference is there between Accelero, Thermalright and that cut from original cooler? i mean exact numbers to see the real difference... i want to make a table with all those temperatures...

My copper heatsink will be ready next week i hope - just recieved confirmation that spareparts for our milling mashines were sent out to us

1. You probably mean the NVIO sink and Thermalright version looks much better. You can mount that with thermal paste and it'll win.
2. I'm a fan of the Zalman ramsinks, as you can reuse them multiple times, but Thermalright might have thinner pads in them.
3. Ah yes. Doubt there is such a thing as you'd have to own both coolers and then cut stock cooler on top of that. kyle2020 will be the first I know next week to own both coolers.

And for spare parts

http://ht4u.net/images/reviews/2009/arctic_cooling_accelero_extreme_gtx280//wlb_last.png

Totally forgot about those thermal images. Wouldn't be that hard to just stick some thermal pads between backplate and VRM backsides, to help with VRM cooling. Or just stick some ramsinks there, if you don't use the backplate. Seems pretty clear on the area where the VRMs are.

Hmm... i suppose i'll have to make a custom heatsink to the back of the card also... i wish a had that thermal camera to see how hot will it be with my custom heatsinks...

uff, i hope my video card won't fall in 2 pieces with all that extra weight from all the heatsinks...

Your card will be a copper monster soon I'd suggest that you hang end of your card from something in your case. 1kg won't be far off with everything you have planned

Let us know if your willing to make any to sell. I'm sure that I'll buy one.

PS! before thinking of selling i need to finish one and test it If everything goes well and the price won't be too high in the end then why not to make some for selling

One for me too, I'm close by for some prototype testing

 

[OnBoard]

The fan that wasnt working was damaged in transit, I popped the fan shroud off and the underside of it is split right through the middle. Luckily though scan have been very helpful and it is being collected tomorrow for replacement.

Did you get the replacement?

My copper heatsink will be ready next week i hope - just recieved confirmation that spareparts for our milling mashines were sent out to us

Any news for us? Did spare parts arrive and is prototype made?

20,000 views

Will get a new case soon and new CPU sooner. Time to dust out Accelero at the same time and maybe shoot couple pics just for fun. Though I doubt there is much dust build up, with that big fin spacing.

On another note, was playing Call of Juarez - Bound in Blood with some 25C ambients and got nice graphics anomalies after about an hour of play. Forgot my Accelero to 40% and VRM was hitting 90C.

That game seems to push GPU a lot, spite the FPS hitting 80s maxed. 50% fan speed fixed some messed up graphics. Should make that fan profile, so that it's not always 40%. Highest core hit was 70C and it's not enough to spin up.

 

[xmas2]

Hello.
Still waiting for the parts. those idiots have sent the pack to the wrong country
i think i'll be able to do the heatsink using file and drill sooner than we get those parts here

 

[OnBoard]

Hello.
Still waiting for the parts. those idiots have sent the pack to the wrong country
i think i'll be able to do the heatsink using file and drill sooner than we get those parts here

for the file & drill part Sorry to hear the package got side tracked, hope they redirect it soon.