EVGA Upgrades GeForce GTX 470 Reference Design

[CyberCT]

I should have waited. I havn't played Dirt 2 in a few weeks, and BFBC2 in almost a month. I like this design better.

 

[Pickles24]

It's all for nothing, -30c on water. Now that's a mod.

 

[t77snapshot]

Well it's about time some one did this! I was always temped to cut the grills out of the pci plate, but didn't want to kill the cards warranty.

 

[lemode]

the backplate is the big improvement, not the vents.

yeah i like the backplate...can't justify getting rid of my 5850's though...not that i really want to.

 

[Mussels]

yeah i like the backplate...can't justify getting rid of my 5850's though...not that i really want to.

who would?

*strokes his new shiny 5870 lovingly*

 

[Cold Storm]

who would?

*strokes his new shiny 5870 lovingly*

I could?

* As I gaze into my case seeing the goodness of tri-fire. *

Nah, I had to do it.. lol.. I can't wait to see some tests between the normal and this.. Superclock+ will kill in benches but I wonder in temps.

 

[erixx]

Mussels: HUH? Isn't both "venting holes" and "backplate" the same?

(I am about to get my DREMMEL NOW!!!!!!!! and just start removing metal!!!!! COME ON LADYBOYS

 

[erixx]

I have just made a photo and not uploaded it... because after seeing my REAL-world computer back, I understand there is no need to make changes and this EVGA backplate is just marketing.

The reference backplate is about as much venting as you can get....

 

[cscgo]

I have just made a photo and not uploaded it... because after seeing my REAL-world computer back, I understand there is no need to make changes and this EVGA backplate is just marketing.

The reference backplate is about as much venting as you can get....

Yeah, I cutout the entire vented area of my new GTX470 to make it even more open than EVGA's design. Before and after benchmark tests showed zero temperature difference. Since the backplate actually reduces the airflow over the PCB (which acts as a heatsink itself) I have trouble understanding how this could improve cooling. Pretty disappointed that EVGA is touting this as a 7 degree C improvement. They're either unethical or incompetent....not sure which.

 

[phanbuey]

Yeah, I cutout the entire vented area of my new GTX470 to make it even more open than EVGA's design. Before and after benchmark tests showed zero temperature difference. Since the backplate actually reduces the airflow over the PCB (which acts as a heatsink itself) I have trouble understanding how this could improve cooling. Pretty disappointed that EVGA is touting this as a 7 degree C improvement. They're either unethical or incompetent....not sure which.

backplates usually increase sink mount pressure... because you dont risk bending the pcb... that and some better thermal paste and you have easy 7c.

they did this with the GTX295 and it did work a bit

 

[cscgo]

backplates usually increase sink mount pressure... because you dont risk bending the pcb... that and some better thermal paste and you have easy 7c.

they did this with the GTX295 and it did work a bit

The second GTX295 had two backplates, but I think that was more to cool the memory. I do agree that stiffening the PCB should increase the mounting pressure and decrease PCBwarpage.

The thermal paste part is not all that possible. nVidia uses Shin-Etsu 7762 thermal paste, which isn't horrible stuff. If you look at the one-dimensional heat transfer equation (bear with me....I'm an engineer) you'll see that with a big lidded die, improvements to thermal paste conductivity don't make a huge difference. Since the temperature loss is proportional to area, higher-conductivity grease has a much bigger bang for your buck with higher themal density. The 20% improvement in conductivity that you might get with some exotic and expensive grease won't give you more than 1C here. You can argue that by reducing the thickness of grease that you can get improved temps, which you can, but they are only on the order of 1C unless you originally a ridiculous grease thickness and almost no pressure on your heatsink.

I have to admit though that the backplate would look nice in my system though

 

[phanbuey]

The second GTX295 had two backplates, but I think that was more to cool the memory. I do agree that stiffening the PCB should increase the mounting pressure and decrease PCBwarpage.

The thermal paste part is not all that possible. nVidia uses Shin-Etsu 7762 thermal paste, which isn't horrible stuff. If you look at the one-dimensional heat transfer equation (bear with me....I'm an engineer) you'll see that with a big lidded die, improvements to thermal paste conductivity don't make a huge difference. Since the temperature loss is proportional to area, higher-conductivity grease has a much bigger bang for your buck with higher themal density. The 20% improvement in conductivity that you might get with some exotic and expensive grease won't give you more than 1C here. You can argue that by reducing the thickness of grease that you can get improved temps, which you can, but they are only on the order of 1C unless you originally a ridiculous grease thickness and almost no pressure on your heatsink.

I have to admit though that the backplate would look nice in my system though

huh... good to know. Although I still habitually replace my gfx card paste out of habit

 

[erixx]

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1355/1/

As (I) expected: an amazing 1 degree improvement!!!

 

[eidairaman1]

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1355/1/

As (I) expected: an amazing 1 degree improvement!!!

1 degree improv with additional sound output FTMFL

 

[largon]

Looks fancy but it's just the same old vanilla reference GTX470 with a backplate and new retention bracket. Someone should make a proper non-ref PCB for the card.