Thermalright HR-03 GT: Heavyweight GPU Cooling
by Matt Campbell on March 3, 2008 2:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Performance
We tested the HR-03GT in an EVGA 780i-based gaming machine with extremely good airflow. Therefore, results here are effectively a best-case scenario. Temperatures are typically measured through NVIDIA Monitor; however, as it was being finicky, temps were also verified in RivaTuner and spot checks were performed with an infrared thermometer. We measured idle temperatures at the Windows desktop. Crysis was used to place a full load on the GPU, as we've seen in the past that this title really stresses video card(s). We've also included fanless results, for those brave souls that are willing to try it with adequate case ventilation, and compared it to the Sparkle 8800GT fanless card.
Several of these results are quite surprising. First, a result of 38C under full load is fantastic, and surpasses even Thermalright's claims on their webpage (45C under load). A spot check of the RAM sinks on the card had them maxing at about 43-44C. The other startling results are the fanless temperature readings. Under full load, the HR-03 GT fanless is 15C cooler than the stock NVIDIA cooler!
Results compared to the Sparkle fanless solution are also impressive. The Thermalright uses a much larger heatsink than the Sparkle, but it obviously pays off. The fanless HR-03 is a whooping 36C cooler at idle than the Sparkle and 40C cooler than the Sparkle under load. This makes the Thermalright a potentially useful fanless solution.
Again, please note our test system had excellent ventilation and represents a best-case scenario, but even so this is quite impressive. Without a fan mounted on the HR-03 GT, RAM sink temperatures climbed to about 57C maximum.
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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).