Stock GPU Cooler, can you change them?

[sburrell93]

Hi all, currently running this graphics card in my pc:

http://uk.msi.com/product/vga/R7850-2GD5-OC.html

Can't fault it's performance since I bought it earlier this year, but my only problem with it is the stock fan is pretty loud at anything above 50% speed, which it easily reaches when gaming. It's not a massive issue but I was wondering if it's possible to change the cooler/fan on it, and if so is it a difficult job?

 

[Addicted]

Absolutely 0 point on that GPU, ensure your case has adequate cooling/airflow

 

[sburrell93]

What do you mean? Seems like a good enough GPU to me. Can run most of my games on high settings, although it gets a little hot lol. Think my case is cooled quite well, my motherboard and CPU temps never get too high

 

[Timmsy]

Absolutely 0 point on that GPU, ensure your case has adequate cooling/airflow

I slightly disagree!

I got a 7850 when they first came out, changed to an EK water cooling block (found the block cheap plus already had the rest setup WC) overclocked it somewhat and its pretty good! runs a fair amount of games on high/very high settings without an issue at 1080p

Yes its pretty old and not a patch on a lot of stuff these days but still can be done if you really want to. probably better off putting the money towards a better card in the first place though

 

[sburrell93]

I slightly disagree!

I got a 7850 when they first came out, changed to an EK water cooling block (found the block cheap plus already had the rest setup WC) overclocked it somewhat and its pretty good! runs a fair amount of games on high/very high settings without an issue at 1080p

Yes its pretty cold and not a patch on a lot of stuff these days but still can be done if you really want to. probably better off putting the money towards a better card in the first place though

I never really built the PC specifically for gaming. Just wanted a decent spec PC that would still play games without much hassle, hence getting that card. Was the best bang for buck at the time. Got Bioshock Infinite for free with the card, and it ran that on highest graphics settings at about 50-60fps on 1080p, so it does the job.

Was changing the cooler difficult? Probably wouldn't want to go water cooling, but if I could find something a bit quieter than it is just now it would be handy

 

[Timmsy]

I never really built the PC specifically for gaming. Just wanted a decent spec PC that would still play games without much hassle, hence getting that card. Was the best bang for buck at the time. Got Bioshock Infinite for free with the card, and it ran that on highest graphics settings at about 50-60fps on 1080p, so it does the job.

Was changing the cooler difficult? Probably wouldn't want to go water cooling, but if I could find something a bit quieter than it is just now it would be handy

Nope not difficult at all 4 or 5 screws some new thermal paste (artic silver 5) and thermal pads for the ram new cooler on screw it up and away you go.

You'll need to find a cooler that fits but first off you'll need to know if the PCB is an ATI/AMD reference design (will be easier to source a cooler if it is) IIRC the 7870 coolers fit.

 

[sburrell93]

Nope not difficult at all 4 or 5 screws some new thermal paste (artic silver 5) and thermal pads for the ram new cooler on screw it up and away you go.

You'll need to find a cooler that fits but first off you'll need to know if the PCB is an ATI/AMD reference design (will be easier to source a cooler if it is) IIRC the 7870 coolers fit.

That sounds easy enough! yeah, hard part is finding the right cooler now. What do you mean by reference design? Like AMD/ATI vs. Nvidia? It's an AMD card if that's what you mean

 

[Timmsy]

That sounds easy enough! yeah, hard part is finding the right cooler now. What do you mean by reference design? Like AMD/ATI vs. Nvidia? It's an AMD card if that's what you mean

Some manufacturers like XFX, EVGA, ASUS, MSI etc may from time to time take the reference AMD design, change it to suit their own coolers/configuration etc. Normally means the screw placement is in a different location and other random changes.

 

[sburrell93]

Some manufacturers like XFX, EVGA, ASUS, MSI etc may from time to time take the reference AMD design, change it to suit their own coolers/configuration etc. Normally means the screw placement is in a different location and other random changes.

Ah okay, will need to have a check. Noticed MSI do cards with twin fans so finding one of those for my GPU might be the easiest option. Cheers for the help mate

 

[Addicted]

For the cost of the block it's not worth watercooling it.

Personally I wouldn't watercool anything below the 2nd-tier cards, which in this case is an R9 280/X, because of the cost of the block.

If you have no other watercooling, then it will not be a cheap ordeal (you're talking the cost of more than a top-end card), and will be far cheaper to just buy a newer card that is both faster and has a better cooler.

 

[sburrell93]

For the cost of the block it's not worth watercooling it.

Personally I wouldn't watercool anything below the 2nd-tier cards, which in this case is an R9 280/X, because of the cost of the block.

If you have no other watercooling, then it will not be a cheap ordeal (you're talking the cost of more than a top-end card), and will be far cheaper to just buy a newer card that is both faster and has a better cooler.

Post #5. I don't plan on watercooling it, all I'm looking for is a quieter fan since the current one sounds like a plane taking off when it gets going.

 

[BigDaveRotary]

Buy headphones and ignore it