GPU deshroud thread

[Mussels]

Due to some mistakes in my recent post, I got it removed and now want to bring a corrected version back online:

Hi all! I also want to showcase my deshrouded XFX Radeon 6950XT MERC. I got the inspiration from theborv, I basically copied his work on a 6900XT MERC. This is an awesome alternative to watercooling imo, since you don't break any warranty void stickers, the mod is easy to do and it really does reduce noise AND temps at the same time. The stock card was unbearable in terms of loudness for me personally, thus I always used the silent preset (-10% power target) in the AMD settings. Now it is dead quiet at the stock profile, and also bearable with OC settings.

Since there are not so many pictures of this process for the XFX MERC models, I decided to document this process in order to encourage more people to silence their XFX 6800-6950XT MERC cards. First, you need to unscrew the six screws between the fans. These were really tight on my card, so you should use a screwdriver that really fits into the tiny screw head and also apply some downward pressure while untightening the screws. Luckily, the LEDs on the card are wired to the fans, so you only need to worry about the single 4pin header while taking of the shroud. Also, the fans are screwed to the shroud, so the whole assemly comes of in one piece, making mods/repairs on this card very easy.

View attachment 302585View attachment 302586

I next plugged an adapter into the card's fan header, so that I can hook the 120mm fans directly to the card. Alternatively, hooking the fans to the motherboard and using FanControl would also work fine. With the shroud removed, there is much less restriction on the side, where you normally have the illuminated XFX and Radeon logos.

View attachment 302587View attachment 302588

I bought a kit that allows to fixate 120mm fans to a PCIe slot. Since the kit was only designed for two fans, I used both metal brackets on one side to hold all three fans together, and used zipties on the other side. The fans are the Arctic P12 PWM PST.

View attachment 302589

This assembly can be installed in the slot right below the graphics card, leaving only a small gap between the fans and finstack. A strap prevents the fans to hang ~1.5cm below the finstack at the right edge. Finally, I secured the cabling mess at the side and was done with the mod.

View attachment 302590

Now I happily use my card with the stock preset, the default fan curve also works surprisingly well with these fans.

definitely fix that sag before the PCB bends, but overall it'll do great

I'd work on sealing the ends too, guiding the airflow definitely helps in regard to cooling the rest of the card, not just the heatsink

 

[LumpDD]

So, I saw this post recently when I began improving my PC acoustics.

I've never minded the noise that much before, but after upgrading my fans to Noctua Redux, My Asus Dual RX 6700 XT became the noisiest part inside my rig.

Searching around brought me here, after testing with some CM SickleFlow Fans, I really liked the result, but it just wasn't as silent. Anything over 1k RPM would make noticeable noise on those fans.

So I found those NF A12x25r's, and their rubber pads seemed like they'd sit really well against the Heatsink to avoid vibration noises, and it did! I now have around 10C better termals with minimal noise (aside from the Coil Whine that is now really noticeable). I was also able to somehow keep the backplate attached in this "Redneck made", according to Linus, Noctua cooled card.

 

[Mussels]

the redux are the loudest noctuas
notice how the 1700RPM redux is louder than the 2000RPM AF12?

They're higher pressure to fight obstructions like radiator fins, that that totally changes their noise profile for the worse

comparing the 1200RPM models its an insanely large difference of 12.1dB(A) vs 18.1dB(A)


vibration absolutely sucks, secure mounting and/or rubber pads are amazing for noise reduction

 

[LumpDD]

the redux are the loudest noctuas

vibration absolutely sucks, secure mounting and/or rubber pads are amazing for noise reduction

So, I guess I did the right thing when I got the anti-vibration pads from Noctua to use on those Redux fans. Mind you, it was still a lot cheaper than either getting the A series fans. Maybe that's why I managed to keep things silent.

I don't know how I managed to take a picture that doesn't show a single one of those, but all fans have the rubber pads from Noctua

 

[AsRock]

Due to some mistakes in my recent post, I got it removed and now want to bring a corrected version back online:

Hi all! I also want to showcase my deshrouded XFX Radeon 6950XT MERC. I got the inspiration from theborv, I basically copied his work on a 6900XT MERC. This is an awesome alternative to watercooling imo, since you don't break any warranty void stickers, the mod is easy to do and it really does reduce noise AND temps at the same time. The stock card was unbearable in terms of loudness for me personally, thus I always used the silent preset (-10% power target) in the AMD settings. Now it is dead quiet at the stock profile, and also bearable with OC settings.

Since there are not so many pictures of this process for the XFX MERC models, I decided to document this process in order to encourage more people to silence their XFX 6800-6950XT MERC cards. First, you need to unscrew the six screws between the fans. These were really tight on my card, so you should use a screwdriver that really fits into the tiny screw head and also apply some downward pressure while untightening the screws. Luckily, the LEDs on the card are wired to the fans, so you only need to worry about the single 4pin header while taking of the shroud. Also, the fans are screwed to the shroud, so the whole assemly comes of in one piece, making mods/repairs on this card very easy.

View attachment 302585View attachment 302586

I next plugged an adapter into the card's fan header, so that I can hook the 120mm fans directly to the card. Alternatively, hooking the fans to the motherboard and using FanControl would also work fine. With the shroud removed, there is much less restriction on the side, where you normally have the illuminated XFX and Radeon logos.

View attachment 302587View attachment 302588

I bought a kit that allows to fixate 120mm fans to a PCIe slot. Since the kit was only designed for two fans, I used both metal brackets on one side to hold all three fans together, and used zipties on the other side. The fans are the Arctic P12 PWM PST.

View attachment 302589

This assembly can be installed in the slot right below the graphics card, leaving only a small gap between the fans and finstack. A strap prevents the fans to hang ~1.5cm below the finstack at the right edge. Finally, I secured the cabling mess at the side and was done with the mod.

View attachment 302590

Now I happily use my card with the stock preset, the default fan curve also works surprisingly well with these fans.

V Nice, sadly big sag going on even more so with that valcro added to the end of the card. Maybe it's the picture but kinda looks like the PCB is bent at the screw too.

Temped to do it my self now haha, And depending were your from XFX USA allow you to take the card apart as long as you ask first.

Fishing wire to hold the card up might work or even 2 posts, one that holds the fan bracket and another on top of the fan bracket touching the heatsink.

Some old ones i did many moons ago

 

[cloinmaster]

After all this time I finally got myself to order a support stand that now eliminates the card's sag and also holds the fans in position.

 

[Mussels]

Power cables from above can then be tied down behind the back of the case and pull up on the GPU passively, as well.

This was loose at time of taking photo, but you get the idea

 

[Veseleil]

I forgot to mention that I've updated the 6900XT with Phanteks T30 fans.

 

[droopyRO]

Do you have worse temperature than with the stock fans ?

 

[Veseleil]

Do you have worse temperature than with the stock fans ?

Not sure what you mean really. Those T30s combined with an Arctic TP-3 pads, Conductonaut on die, allow me to set this monster to boost over 2.8GHz while staying under 65C die, and 85C hotspot. The results aren't comparable with the P12s from before, as the MX-6 did a terrible job on die, and I didn't like the pressure on some of the pads, so I added extra 0.5mm fresh layer on most of them. The stock shroud and fans aren't comparable neither (the factory pads and paste were junk), and I'm not testing it in the near future, not even with P12s. T30s are the right tools for the job.

 

[droopyRO]

I will rephrase, are your temps better or worse than what the card was from factory. In my experience you always have worse temps but better acoustics when mounting 2x120mm fans on the stock radiator and not messing around with voiding the warranty and replacing the TIM or memory pads. Thanks.

 

[lexluthermiester]

In my experience you always have worse temps

I've never had that experience. Installing custom fans has always resulted in better cooling and thus low temps.

and not messing around with voiding the warranty

As the vast majority of cards being modded like this are long past their factory warranty, this is of no consequence. Not really a big deal..

 

[Veseleil]

I will rephrase, are your temps better or worse than what the card was from factory. In my experience you always have worse temps but better acoustics when mounting 2x120mm fans on the stock radiator and not messing around with voiding the warranty and replacing the TIM or memory pads. Thanks.

Temps were much better already with the P12 fans, but consider new pads and paste as well. Stock fans are only good for a stock boost limits IMO (2475MHz). I don't like seeing GPU temps above 70C, and hotspot over 90C. 3rd fan is a must, there's only wasted around 4cm of a fan surface. So without it, you'd lose 8cm of heatsink cooling surface potential, and on the best airflow spot (beyond the PCB). Also, the card is slightly warped, being in the mining rig positioned vertically, so that could also add to the bad contact on some of the RAM chips.

 

[DR4G00N]

Swapped fans on my 3060M, pair of Cougar CF-V12H's. Temperatures are pretty similar since it doesn't get hot in the first place but it's a fair bit quieter only having the fans ~900RPM vs the stock @ ~1400RPM.

Tops out ~61C @ ~26C ambient.