MSI
MSI has an excellent concept, bringing the only cooling solution that attaches the ramsinks to the main body of the heatsink. This should allow the fan to cool the block of metal that stretches across the ram as well. Our test also showed this to be one of the quietest cards that we tested.When we began testing, we noticed that we had a problem. Even though MSI went with a mostly round design, there was apparently enough leverage between the two spring pins to rip the thermal tape loose from the RAM. Even at stock clocks, it did get way too hot and so, we needed to use makeshift clamps on the ram to hold the heatsink in place on the GPU.
It is unfortunate to see a card with such potential overcome by HSF mounting issues. We would love the opportunity to retest this card with a properly mounted cooling solution, and update our cooling numbers. This could have been an unnoticed manufacturing defect, but the setup lends itself to easily pulling up off the RAM if the end user were to press down too hard on the opposite side. In fact, it seemed as if the spring pins held the heatsink off the GPU rather than down onto it. This would have been useful to add pressure to the GPU if the thermal tape had held on the RAM, but again, we received a part in non-working order, so we aren't sure what it should have looked like.
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1q3er5 - Thursday, December 16, 2004 - link
errr weird how the albatron despite its so called HSF mounting problem scored so high on all the tests albeit a bit loud and didn't get an award !Also looks like LEADTEK changed the design of the board of the bit
http://www.leadtek.com/3d_graphic/winfast_a6600_gt...
They added a heatsink on the RAM and you may also notice that the shroud now extends right over the other chips on the card.
miketus - Thursday, December 16, 2004 - link
Hi, has anyboby experience with Albatron 6600GT for AGPgeogecko - Monday, December 13, 2004 - link
Personally, I'd be willing to spend the extra $15-20 to get a decent HSF on these cards. Of course, the first one I buy will go in an HTPC, which will all be passively cooled, so the HSF in this case doesn't matter, because I'll just be removing it.However, for my PC, I sure would like a decent quality HSF. It would stink to have a $200 card burn up in your PC because of a $10 HSF setup.
WT - Monday, December 13, 2004 - link
Interesting that GigaByte used a passive HSF on their 6800 card (with great results), but went with a craptastic fan on the 6600GT. I have an MSI 5900 and didn't want to settle for the cheesy MSI 5900XT cards HSF setup, so we are seeing the same thing occur with the 6600GTs .... cut costs by using a cheaper HSF.Excellent article .. I found it answered every question I had left on the GT cards, further convincing me to buy the 6800 series.
DerekWilson - Sunday, December 12, 2004 - link
#49 -- it was a problem with our sample ... the actual issue was not a design flaw, but if the design (of most 6600 GT cards) was different, it might have been possible for our sample to have avoid breakage.That's kind of a complicated way of saying that you should be alright as long as you are careful with the card when you install it.
After it's installed, the way to tell if you have a problem is to run a 3D game/application in windowed mode. Open display properies and click on the system tab. Hit the advanced button and select the NVIDIA tab. select the temperature option and if you see temperatures of 90 degrees C and higher, you probably have a problem.
if your temp is lower than that you're fine.
Vico26 - Sunday, December 12, 2004 - link
Derek,was the 6600 GT MSI a broken piece, or is there a problem with the HS design? Plz let me know, as I bought the MSI card on the same day as you published the article. Now, I am shocked, and I would like to find a solution - new cooling system? Am I able to install it (I m not a sort of professional)?
Anyway many thanks, I should have waited a day...
DerekWilson - Sunday, December 12, 2004 - link
http://www.gfe.com.hk/news/buy.aspNyati13 - Sunday, December 12, 2004 - link
What I'd like to know is where are the Galaxy 6600GTs available? I've looked at some e-tailers that I know of, and searched pricewatch and e-bay, and there aren't any Galaxy cards for sale.geogecko - Sunday, December 12, 2004 - link
Well, I actually meant to say something in that last post.Anyway, short and sweet. That's the way I like these articles. Who wants to spend more than about 15-30 minutes to find out which card is best for them.
I do think that the HDTV thing could have been looked at, but other than that, it's a great article.
geogecko - Sunday, December 12, 2004 - link