The current generation of video cards from ATI and especially nVidia have been some of the hottest in recent history. Recent GPUs like the GTX200, GTX400, and HD5800 graphics processors heat up between 80 to 95C while used in regular gaming. In their defense, the GPUs wouldn’t be such a hot topic if the reference coolers were better designed. This has lead to a big demand for better VGA cooling solutions. Zalman, who has established themselves as the connoisseurs of cool, has recently launched the VF3000A, VF3000F, and VF3000N VGA coolers. With a small tool kit and one of these coolers, your video card can go from nuclear to icy cold in no time.
Features and Specifications
First, let’s clarify which coolers are for which video cards. Starting with the bright red VF3000A (A for ATI), this cooler is compatible with the hottest of the single HD5800 series video cards which includes the HD5830, HD 5850, and HD 5870.
The black VF3000N (N for NVidia) is compatible with GX 260, 275, 280, and 285 video cards. There are still quite a few out there and many are sporting the square, 80C topping lack luster reference coolers. Fortunately, this VGA fits nicely with any of these GPUs.
Finally, the newest addition to the lineup, the green VF3000F (F for Fermi) makes its debut aimed at cooling off the NVidia GTX400 series video cards. This VGA cooler is compatible with GTX465, GTX470, and GTX480. And, with all the rumors flying around about a revised GTX 475 and 485 GPUs arriving sometime in Q4, we have discovered the VF3000F should also be compatible as the card design remains relatively unchanged.
All three VGA coolers offer common features which includes two capable 92mm LED cooling fans with similar 1300 to 3000 rpm and noise ratings. However, the VF3000F spins in at a higher 1500rpm minimum. The coolers are rated up to 32/33dBA of noise. Compared to the reference coolers on both ATI and NVidia video cards, it’s still much quieter. Factor in heat pipes and we have the potential for much lower temps.
The Zalman VF3000 series coolers range in price from $46.75US – $49.99US for the VF3000A and VF3000N coolers. The newest VF3000F will set you back $74.99US and should be available at the usual suspects when the time comes.
Video Unboxing and Product Walkthrough
As a special value added feature to our review, we’ll be taking you through a full video unboxing and walkthrough of the VF3000 series GPUs including some installation notes
As you can see, the VF3000 series coolers are very high quality through and through.
Test System Setup
In order to properly test the barrage of coolers, we’ve assembled a system using the following components:
- Processor: Intel Core i7-980XE Gulftown LGA1366
- Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD5
- Memory: Kingston HyperX 6GB 2250MHz DDR3 Triple Channel
- GPU Cooler 1: VF3000A VGA Cooler – GIGABYTE HD5870 1GB
- GPU Cooler 2: VF3000N VGA Cooler – ZOTAC Geforce GTX280 1GB AMP Edition
- GPU Cooler 3: VF3000F VGA Cooler – ZOTAC Geforce GTX480 1536MB Reference
- GPU Cooler 4: GELID Icy Vision VGA Cooler – Tested on all three video cards
- Storage: Kingston V+ 128GB SSDNow SSD Drive
- Power Supply: Antec TPQ-1000 Watt
We wanted to give you a little extra in terms of a cooling comparison. Since the GELID Icy Vision Rev 1.0 carries our coveted recommendation, we thought it prudent to compare against all three of the VF3000 series VGA coolers. In fact, the Icy Vision is compatible with all three test video cards while the Zalman coolers vary based on a little change in the copper base placement. However, Zalman’s appear more centered in relation to the PCB, while the Icy Vision can seem a little off axis due to it’s multi-GPU compatibility.
Our GIGABYTE HD5870 1GB video card boasts a twin fan heat pipe aftermarket VGA cooler. Thus, our temperatures were much lower than the standard HD5870 reference card coolers. It also just adds a little extra perspective on how valuable aftermarket coolers can be to the video card partners.
Test Notes
Although Furmark isn’t a realistic, real world benchmark it is reliable and consistent for testing GPU coolers. It will also monitor temperatures while we measure noise levels with a meter. If a VGA cooler can manage the GPU’s extreme temperatures under Furmark’s abuse, it will easily manage regular 3D applications.
Since all of the test cards have been out for some time, I used the latest nVidia and ATI drivers in order to avoid any cooling fan anomalies that were poking around with previous versions. For the GTX280 and GTX480, NVidia’s 258.96 drivers were used. For the HD5870, ATI’s Catalyst 10.9 drivers were used.
Cautionary Installation Notes
If you refer back to our video, you’ll again see some of the precautions needed before installing any aftermarket VGA cooler (or any heat sink for that matter). Exercise plenty of patience during the process by triple checking for screws and you will have no problems with any of the coolers.
On most all NVidia and ATI dual slot reference coolers, you’ll find two small screws holding the card’s shroud to the PCI bracket that need removed which are commonly missed.
Installing the VF3000F requires the most caution of the three due to the GTX400 cards’ many hidden screws that secure the reference shroud and PCI bracket frame. Before removing the large black inter-heat sink, two small screws hidden underneath the spacer-sponge had to be removed. Not removing these will result in card damage.
The reason we are impressing upon you in both our video and in this section the important of a proper disassembly is because of the horror stories we’ve been made aware of on some retail review sites. The damage is done during disassembly and not assembly of the VF3000s onto the GPU. Be very careful and inspect your respective card carefully because a cracked PCB is no fun.
Before and After
Everyone wants to see what a VGA cooler looks like when installed. So, here is the VF3000A installed on the GIGABYTE HD5870 1GB video card. If it were black PCB, it would look better. However, most anything else is better looking than the default green PCB.
Our ZOTAC GTX280 1GB video card sports black PCB. The cooler still adds some level of contrast thanks to the copper heat pipes. It’s the blue LED fans that give the card its personality when active.
And finally, it’s the green VF3000F cooler that actually stands out of the three. We know it’s green because in honor of NVidia and the Fermi architecture. But, some users may or may not find this contrast to be the oddest if trying to follow a theme. None the less, it still looks far, far nicer than the reference cooler.
Zalman VF3000 Series Thermal Performance
Each test was performed without any secondary case fan(s) blowing directly on the VGA coolers. If your computer case has extra cooling in this respect, you can expect somewhat lower temps in a more real world scenario.
Note: The reference and Icy Vision coolers don’t have variable fan controllers thus low and high temps were the same.
What we see here is that there is very similar performance between the VF3000 and Icy Vision VGA coolers mostly at high speed. The trade off here is that the Icy Vision is always at full speed no matter what it’s doing as it does not include a fan controller or a PWM variable speed fan. However, it does do exceptionally well considering it is priced considerably cheaper. While the VF3000 coolers do well even at the lowest fan speed, I found temps to be very close at just above half speed. Now, Let’s confront the noise issue.
Zalman VF3000 Series Noise Performance
Using the included fan controller, it was easier to monitor the VF3000 series’ noise at low and high speed. With these measurements, you can guess where the happy medium is in terms of noise. The Icy Vision doesn’t include a fan controller or a PWM fan, so you’re stuck with a constant full speed.
The VF3000 coolers are very pleasant at their lowest speed. Noise levels were actually lower than spec between 16 to 17dB. I found the magic spot is at about medium which hums along at a very tolerable 23dB. Factor in some decent air flow from a case fan or two and you can slow down the fans even more to drop noise and manage temps. As for the Icy Vision, it hummed in at a constant 27dB due to its lack of PWM and fan controller so if you need a quiet solution, the Zalman VF3000’s are the ones to go for. They also look much nicer than the more unfinished looking Icy Vision.
Can the Zalman VF3000 Series Get the Job Done?
nVIDIA and AMD’s flagship video cards are among the hottest cards ever produced. Zalman’s entire VF3000 series VGA coolers significantly decreased GPU temperatures in our testing while giving the user an option to control fan noise via an included fan controller. Toss the cards in to a decent air cooled computer case with one of these coolers and you can improve upon cooling performance even further. In fact, they aggressively drop temperatures while decreasing noise at the same time.
All of the VF3000s are easy to install and after tabulating our results, factoring in the price tags, and rating the high quality of each VF3000 series cooler, we’ve been able to come up with the following conclusions.
Final Thoughts on the Zalman VF3000F VGA Cooler
Cooling off the GTX480 is a real challenge. If the cooler wasn’t extremely capable, OEM partners would not be choosing this exact solution for their overclocked nVidia cards. That in itself is a testament to this cooler’s ability to tame extremely hot GPUs. Not only is it one of the most attractive shades of metallic green ever produced, it’s also extremely easy to install. Adding features like the fan controller and high quality polished copper base to further combat heat is just icing on the cake.
Even though it’s priced higher at a premium $74.99 US, I feel it’s worth every extra dollar despite the performance put down by the less expensive GELID Icy Vision.
Final Thoughts on the Zalman VF3000N VGA Cooler
There are plenty of stock GTX 280 video cards around that get plenty hot especially in warmer climates. The VF3000N also offers an aluminum shroud and polished copper base that are among the nicest I’ve seen in quite some time. The black on silver with blue LEDs adds a really nice effect. The only thing about this and any other after market VGA cooler is that you have to put in a little time to properly install it on your video card. There are plenty of parts for every hot component and a little patience will reward you with a cooler workhorse video card.
The best part is that the VF3000N will reward you for your efforts without severely penalizing your wallet at under $50 US.
Final Thoughts on the Zalman VF3000A VGA Cooler
Zalman likes to cover the entire video card market. In ATI fashion, the VF3000A gives you a very attractive red aluminum shroud and heat sinks paired with yet another polished copper base for maximum cooling potential. I would have loved to see this cooler come with red LEDs. However, the blue LED cooling fans work well when coupled with the fan controller. This cooler was also one of the easiest to install thanks to the slightly easier to work with ATI PCB design.
Overall, it’s definitely worth more than its going street price of under $50 US.
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Zalman VF3000 Series VGA Coolers Rounded-Up for nVIDIA and ATI GPUs – Photo Gallery
