INTRODUCTION

Last 2 months, I swapped a Gigabyte HD5850 with Galaxy GTX285 with a local student and changed to a Treetop L-2000 L-shaped computer case in pursuit to make a compact and stylish computer. This two choices make heat and noise become major problem that need to be get rid off.


Red arrow for hot air, blue for outside's cooler air. The single 90cfm fan on top left helps to suck hot air out but also contributed pressure (impact) for GTX285 blower to push the (already) hot air out.

Nvidia GTX285 with stock cooler easily heats up inside my case up to 91 degrees Celcius at full load. Adding to that, the Treetop L-2000's interior design actually has some negative impact to the air flow and pressure that made GTX285 having trouble to cool the GPU efficiently and quietly.

Probably I am so in luck because recently somewhere in June, GELID Solutions announced a compatible VGA card GPU cooler for reference Nvidia GTX480/470/465/285/275/260+ and for some ATI5000 series. I think it reached the local stores in July and I managed to get one in one of the nice retail shop in Lowyat Plaza at RM180 price tag.

You will find more reviews about this cooler on GTX470/480 and ATI5800. I have been searching for this VGA cooler's installation review or forum for GTX285/275 model as my guide, but no avail.

So I guess I am doing the review myself I think this review will benefit those who owned Nvidia 9800GT, 9800GTX, GTS250, GTX260, 275, 280 and 285 which not yet covered. Almost everyone thinking about Fermi now.

So, here's the description from the official website:

Extra note: When I asked about warranty, the sales assistant claimed that the product has 1 year warranty.

So here are unboxing photos. Basically what I am looking for is its installation manual on how to install it on a GTX285 core, VRM and memory. For those who are aware about high VRM temperature on GTX480 during full load should worry about this. The manual is in colour and pretty straight forward.



I skipped some photos and concentrate on the cooler's base. So its pretty flat but it isn't mirror finish. Looks like you'll have to do it yourself. For this review, I will use as it is (no modification and no sandpaper required)

Let's begin disassembling of the Galaxy GTX285 1GB. I am well prepared with correct size and type screwdrivers so my advice do not force open your expensive GPU using incorrect tools.

The GT200b and NVIVO chip cleaned with Kleenex tissue while memory chips and VRM cleaned with my wife's STAEDTLER eraser


Image: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...view/disam2.jpg

Image: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...view/disam3.jpg
Image: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...view/disam4.jpg

After making sure all contact areas are grease-and-dirt free, the next thing to do is sticking memory heat sinks to the memory chips, NVIVO chip and VRM. I am using the old cooler's blueprint to locate where are the hotspots that need to be covered with heatsinks. The thermal pad used is 3M and it sticks well to the clean surface. Use them wisely because no extra stickers are provided.

Image: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...view/assem1.jpg
Image: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...view/assem2.jpg

Now its done ..... but hey ... I checked the manual again. How about the voltage regulators? Should they be covered too? I still got some unused heatsinks and thermal pads left. The voltage regulators must be quite hot during load but when I checked online, GTX285 VRM temperatures are not shown in GPU-Z, unlike GTX280. The reference cooler also never touches the voltage regulators.

So I decided to also cover the voltage regulator areas. I used the larger heatsinks and found out that they actually fits the size. However I need to cut the thermal tapes to smaller pieces according to the transistors surface size.

Image: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...view/assem5.jpg
Image: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...view/assem3.jpg

So, there it is. Still 3 smallest heat sinks still unused. I think that should do it. I spent almost an hour to stick the small heat sinks. I tell you it's damn boring to open the thermal pad stickers! But make no mistake. They must be placed properly or it'll drop. I can't imagine if that would happen



Unbelievable ... this is the first try

Now the most important part! The Main Cooler!

Image: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...eview/core1.jpg
Image: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...eview/core2.jpg

I just follow the manual according to the mounting size for GTX285 which is 53mm. After the screws are secured, I applied a drop of GELID GC-2 thermal paste to test the contact area. The result is really good! Seems like the cooler base touched evenly on the die surface. So I put another drop and put it all together.


Image: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...eview/core4.jpg



WARNING: Do not tighten the screws too much until it bend the PCB! It can damage the core as well


Image: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...eview/core8.jpg

I return the graphic card to its place in the case and I find out the board bend a bit because of the weight of the cooler

Push the power button ... Beep! it boots! So everything is going OK!

Let do some tests to see how much is the cooling power of Gelid Icy Vision

SETUP CONFIGURATION:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Q6600 @ 3GHz (9x333MHz)
Motherboard: MSI P43-C51 bios 5.3
Memory: 1x2GB Kingston ValueRAM DDR3-1333 6-6-6-18
HDD: 4x Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200.11
ODD: TEAC IDE DVD-RW
MONITOR: Samsung B2430H FullHD LCD 1920x1080
CHASSIS: Treetop L-2000 ATX/mATX casing
PSU: Gigabyte OdinGT 800watt 80%
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
DRIVER: Forceware 258.96



Test conditions and extra notes:

AMBIENT TEMP: 30 degree Celsius
Reference cooler fan is set 100% speed at all time
Gelid Icy vision fan is set 100% speed at all time

Fan speeds are controlled by MSI Afterburner
Temperature are obtained by using HWMonitor 1.16 64-bit.
Ambient temperature is detected by sensor connected to Gigabyte OdinGT 800watt PSU.

For idle reading: Minimum/lowest temperature is taken
For load reading: Maximum/highest temperature is taken



TEST RESULTS (OPEN CASE):



Reference cooler screenshot:
Idle: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...ew/ref-idle.jpg
Load: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...ew/ref-load.jpg

Gelid ICY VISION screen shot:
Idle: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...ew/icy-idle.jpg
Load: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...ew/icy-load.jpg

Based on the result of the quick bench, I managed to cool about 9 degree Celsius at idle and during load I managed to cool down up to 14 degree Celsius.

At 100% speed I can hear humming sound of Gelid S-shaped fan, and at night it barely audible at 3 feet distance. Reference cooler would be screaming at 100% speed.

What about test in closed case?
To answer this I shut the case and let the temperature stabilize and obtain the reading again. Here's the result: http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m156/je...load-closed.jpg

Before I installed Gelid Icy Vision, at full load the GPU temperature is up to 92 degree Celsius in closed case!

Pretty nice 78 degree Celsius compared to 92 degree Celsius isn't it? BUT no one doing Furmark for the rest of the day, so at normal heavy games (such as my favourite MotoGP 08), the temperature usually maxed at 72 degrees and no higher than that.

CONCLUSION

Gelid Icy Vision managed cool my hot VGA card down to reasonable temperature and stay silent at full fan speed. That's the main objectives to secure my investment; make my GPU live longer. Now I can play games for a longer time with the casing closed without worrying damaging the GPU and also avoided dust entering my case (when the case is open).

To improve cooling, I might need to create better airflow in my case by using suitable fans in strategic areas. I am also looking for better thermal grease (Want to try GELID GC-Extreme) and perhaps need to polish the copper base as well to improve cooling efficiency.

I think buying this cooler is a smart buy too because I can use it if I change to GTX465/470/480 series one day

Pro:
- Powerful and silent fans, also can be used with custom fan
- Free Gelid GC-2 thermal paste
- Supports a lot of graphic card as long as its reference
- Reasonably priced
- Looks simple, not fancy²
- 5 years warranty (from Gelid)

Cons:
- Vga card with this cooler will accommodate 3 slots
- Installing RAM heatsink not for the impatients
- Manual doesn't say anything about installing heat sinks on voltage regulators

Not so useful for me:
- UV sensitive fan




Any question or suggestion can PM or e-mail me.

I am sorry if have any typing error or there are mistakes during making the review. I just made this article with my own way, not copying from elsewhere and based on my own basic experience.

All the best out there!

-Jeopardise-





DISCLAIMERS:

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