Thermalright HR-03 GT: Heavyweight GPU Cooling
by Matt Campbell on March 3, 2008 2:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
8800 GT Stock Cooler Removal
Removal of NVIDIA's stock cooler can seem a bit daunting if you haven't done it before, but it's actually quite straightforward. First, let's look at what we're starting with:
There's nothing going on in the front, but flipping the card over reveals twelve screws on the back. The first step is to remove those screws. They're spring loaded, so they come out quite easily.
With the screws removed, the HSF on the front should come away quite easily, leaving you with something that looks like this.
Unplug the fan and you can set the cooler aside. All that remains is to remove any pads from the card and clean everything up with some alcohol. (Be sure to clean the surfaces thoroughly!) Now it's time for the HR-03 GT installation….
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rudolphna - Monday, March 3, 2008 - link
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...adam92682 - Monday, March 3, 2008 - link
can this be used for the 8800 gts as well?KikassAssassin - Monday, March 3, 2008 - link
Thermalright makes a few different versions of this cooler that are compatible with different cards. You can get a compatibility list from Thermalright's website:http://www.thermalright.com/new_a_page/product_pag...">http://www.thermalright.com/new_a_page/product_pag...
It looks like the HR-03 GT will work with the G92 GTS, but the G80 GTS would use the HR-03 Plus.
cubeless - Monday, March 3, 2008 - link
it's the first time i've had to change the hsf on a brand new card... over 25c difference with a zalman...at least the big, noisy hsf on my x1800 kept the gpu cool whilst sounding like a hovercraft...
the hsf on the 8800gt is a big, noisy, expensive looking piece of junk... it's got to be a conspiracy to sell aftermarket coolers...
Jodiuh - Monday, March 3, 2008 - link
2 of my GT's in SLI made very little noise under Crysis. The fans never spun up past default. Perhaps the room was hot, case airflow lacking, or a bum card/bios?crimson117 - Monday, March 3, 2008 - link
That's a good point. I mean, not a conspiracy, but perhaps that's a way nVidia kept the prices down on the 8800 GT - by providing a cheapo stock cooler design. Adding a higher quality one in bulk could add $20 or more to the MSRP.Zefram0911 - Monday, March 3, 2008 - link
No sound readings?crimson117 - Monday, March 3, 2008 - link
The sound reading for the fanless one is 0 DBA.The sound reading with the fan turned on is very close to the fan's own DBA reading, and depends on which fan you choose for yourself.
gonks - Monday, March 3, 2008 - link
Would a 120mm fan fit in this beast?nowayout99 - Monday, March 3, 2008 - link
It can if you use Thermalright's 120mm fan clips. (the package only includes the 92mm ones).