View Full Version : Arctic Cooling Silencer NV 5 Review
I searched as much of this thread as I could, but didn't see the issue that I have had.
I recieved an NV5, rev.2 just a few long days ago. Unfourtunatly, the design seems to have changed for the rev.2.
As of the time when I bought mine. They no longer have any copper plates on the bottom for contact with the memory. The bottom of the heatsink is now 100% flat. In order to connect with the memory on your 6800 series card, a series of 8 thick thermal pads (1.3mm or so) are there instead of the lowered copper sections.
The pads were too thick for my card (evga 6800 GT). The nv5 rested about 1 mm above the main chip. The solution in the manual is to tighten the back bracket more. However, I could not get enough tension on the card to make even close to suitable contact with the GPU.
I tried switching the pads that were included with the old weaved thermal pads from the stock unit. They were too thin, and could not make contact with the memory, when the copper base of the cooler was resting on the GPU.
As of right now, I consider this review wrong, as it cost me time, and money. I bought a product based on this review, and recieved a product that is much much different.
Why arctic cooling would ever decide that a flat copper base was the best way to go for this cooler, is beyond me. But that is how the nv5 rev.2 is currently shipping, at least from ncix.com.
I would love to see some changes made to this otherwise excellent review, to reflect the new changes to this revision of the cooler.I hate to hear about these kinds of problems like you've experienced. However, my review was of the Arctic Cooling Silencer NV 5 (Rev. 1) and not the Rev. 2. They are essentially two different products and since I've never had a Rev. 2 in my hands I disagree with your suggestion that this review is "wrong" and that it cost you time and money.
Your situation sounds like a perfect candidate for either an RMA or to voice your (very valid I might add) complaints to Arctic Cooling or Scythe USA. Again, I fully empathize with your problem but I also disagree with the blame you're placing on this review.
I will make attempts to get the facts from Arctic Cooling or Scythe USA regarding the variations between all of the NV 5 revisions.
jgerrits
06-10-05, 11:35 AM
Ahh, thank you for the reply. I got the impression your review was of the rev.2, because of a link through www.ncix.com
They linked to your review in the product details for the rev.2
Pardon my misunderstanding. Very well written review.
I just noticed, even the technical diagram that is shown of the card in your review, has a flat copper base to it. That is the unit I recieved as a .rev 2. Not the one that you have in all of your pictures.
That is from the Arctic Cooling website. If you click on that link you'll see that it links to (http://www.arctic-cooling.com/downloads/compatibility/height_restr_nv5.pdf) which is not of the Rev. 2 but rather is of the Rev. 1. You'll notice that in the paragraph above that link I included the link to the Rev. 2 as well (http://www.arctic-cooling.com/downloads/compatibility/height_restr_nv5_r2.pdf) which does not show the pads (which is the version you have, not the version I had). I provided many photos as well:
http://www.nvnews.net/reviews/arctic_cooler_nv5_silencer/images/card02.jpg
Ahh, thank you for the reply. I got the impression your review was of the rev.2, because of a link through www.ncix.com
They linked to your review in the product details for the rev.2
Pardon my misunderstanding. Very well written review.Oh ok. I do apologize for that then because initially I was under the impression that I had the Rev. 2 and the review was worded as such. However, I quickly realized that I did not have the Rev. 2 and changed the review accordingly. There must have been some sites that linked to it, though, before I was able to make the verbiage correction. If I recall correctly, we did send out a disclaimer email notifying our mailing list of this correction. I do sincerely apologize for any confusion/trouble this may have caused you.
I would encourage you to either contact the reseller you purchased this from and or Arctic Cooling/Scythe USA and see what your options might be.
jgerrits
06-10-05, 11:47 AM
Not your fault at all, and I'm sorry if the way I worded it came out a little on the nasty side. I'm just trying to do my best to let people know about the rev.2. And yes, the reseller did agree to take back the unit. Unfourtunatly, I had cut open, and discarded the outer packaging.
Not your fault at all, and I'm sorry if the way I worded it came out a little on the nasty side. I'm just trying to do my best to let people know about the rev.2. And yes, the reseller did agree to take back the unit. Unfourtunatly, I had cut open, and discarded the outer packaging.No problem at all, I can appreciate your situation. I should thank you for your positive remarks about the review as I do appreciate them. I also appreciate you taking the time to voice your concerns. I'm always happy to discuss any kind of lucid feedback from anyone here, both positive and negative. That was one of the more challenging and confusing reviews I've done. I give credit to Arctic Cooling for making attempts to remedy their initial issues but a great deal of confusion was introduced in the process which I suppose is difficult to prevent at times.
I will add a link at the top of the review to where your initial post begins here in this thread. I think that will prove very useful to others that read it. Thanks again for handling this the way you did and I wish you better luck next time. :)
I've updated the first page (http://www.nvnews.net/reviews/arctic_cooler_nv5_silencer/index.shtml) of this review (very top of the page) and also the last page in the "Change Log (http://www.nvnews.net/reviews/arctic_cooler_nv5_silencer/page5.shtml#changelog)" section.
Bad_dude
07-04-05, 05:17 AM
ok well i took the cooler off, heres the pics of the hs and graphics card
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/chris998/DSCF0058.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/chris998/DSCF0057.jpg
ive re applied thermal compound, its still not working as it should
From the pics you gave, it looks like you have the raised copper areas for your RAM chips. The Revision 2 does not have the raised copper areas for the RAM chips, but instead they put thermal pads on the areas. Are you sure you have revision 2?
Thanks.
Cepheus
11-08-05, 01:45 PM
Hey hey, cool I'm all registered up :D
Clay, AWESOME review. Yes yes, I also got confused with the rev 2 thing, but it made little difference in the end for me. I love the fact that you have the exact same video card as me too. It made for easy reading.
I have a question for you though. I too am having trouble with the voltage regulator heat synk. I work at Canada's national research council in materials, so luckily have a wealth of equipment at my disposal so had no problem trimming the sync etc, but what did you use to replace the retired heat pads? All I have at home is Arctic Silver 5. That should work, but I'd really like to know what you used. ...did you just re-use the pads?
Thanks man.
Hey hey, cool I'm all registered up :D
Clay, AWESOME review. Yes yes, I also got confused with the rev 2 thing, but it made little difference in the end for me. I love the fact that you have the exact same video card as me too. It made for easy reading.
I have a question for you though. I too am having trouble with the voltage regulator heat synk. I work at Canada's national research council in materials, so luckily have a wealth of equipment at my disposal so had no problem trimming the sync etc, but what did you use to replace the retired heat pads? All I have at home is Arctic Silver 5. That should work, but I'd really like to know what you used. ...did you just re-use the pads?
Thanks man.Thanks, glad you liked the review and found it useful. :)
I didn't bother with re-using the thermal pads for that voltage regulator heat sink. I just cleaned them off and then applied just a small amount of Ceramique to each regulator.
I was led here by Clay's excellent article, as I am considering buying a used AGP 6800 Ultra/GT in the very near future, and modding it with an NV5. I was initially trying to find out how the DHES would work with the backplate, but that was cleared up quite quickly :)
When I checked the Arctic Cooling product list, I noticed there is now a Rev.3 model http://arctic-cooling.com/vga2.php?idx=40
The only difference between it and Rev.2 I can find is the addition of compatibilty with PCI-e 7800s and the AGP Quadro FX3000 & FX 4000?
The height diagram and all the photos are that of the Rev.2 (check their file names and the box photo)
Is there any other changes anyone can find, or have they just renamed the Rev.2?
I can't find the old Rev.2 page, but there is a link to the NV5 (looks like Rev.1) in the "discontinued products" pages.
And as for those couple of people that said the air was blowing out from the fan into the case: no one suggested they check the black/red wires for the fan weren't back to front, therefore spinning the fan the wrong way?
The fan could spin the other way and suck air back through the DHES, albeit at reduced effiency (the fan blades are designed to cut into the air only one way unless they are symmetrical in cross section and alignment @ 45*)... Just a theory.
BTW, what do you think of these factory custom modded jobs? (forgive me if it's already been covered)
http://www.galaxytech.com/news/editor/UploadFile/200411417402282.gif
http://www.galaxytech.com/news/listst1.asp?s_id=13
And yes, I am posting on Xmas day, I drew the short straw in the work roster (xmassign)
I was led here by Clay's excellent article, as I am considering buying a used AGP 6800 Ultra/GT in the very near future, and modding it with an NV5. I was initially trying to find out how the DHES would work with the backplate, but that was cleared up quite quickly :)
When I checked the Arctic Cooling product list, I noticed there is now a Rev.3 model http://arctic-cooling.com/vga2.php?idx=40
The only difference between it and Rev.2 I can find is the addition of compatibilty with PCI-e 7800s and the AGP Quadro FX3000 & FX 4000?
The height diagram and all the photos are that of the Rev.2 (check their file names and the box photo)
Is there any other changes anyone can find, or have they just renamed the Rev.2?
I can't find the old Rev.2 page, but there is a link to the NV5 (looks like Rev.1) in the "discontinued products" pages.
And as for those couple of people that said the air was blowing out from the fan into the case: no one suggested they check the black/red wires for the fan weren't back to front, therefore spinning the fan the wrong way?
The fan could spin the other way and suck air back through the DHES, albeit at reduced effiency (the fan blades are designed to cut into the air only one way unless they are symmetrical in cross section and alignment @ 45*)... Just a theory.
BTW, what do you think of these factory custom modded jobs? (forgive me if it's already been covered)
http://www.galaxytech.com/news/editor/UploadFile/200411417402282.gif
http://www.galaxytech.com/news/listst1.asp?s_id=13
And yes, I am posting on Xmas day, I drew the short straw in the work roster (xmassign)
Hi Kebob and welcome to the nV News forums. (xmasmile)
I don't have any good answers for you at this time but I'll post back if I do in the future. Someone here will likely be able to answer your questions though. Thanks for the feedback on my review and I'm glad to hear that you found it helpful.
Well thanks for the tips, Clay, they will help when I recieve my used *cough* X800XT PE *cough* and put an Arctic Cooling mod on it :P
No doubt I will hang around these forums until it is time for me to upgrade to a 7800GTX.
On my theory about reversed fan, I asked around and the most common answer from those in the know was:
"No, reversing the polarity doesn't work, because the fan isn't a simple motor, it's a brushless motor with electronics controlling it, which can't work with the polarity reversed."
Since you cannot reverse the polarity on this type of fan you could flip the fan over if you wanted to try reversing the air flow by pulling air in across the sink. Of course, you would have to seperate the fan from its mountings and re-mount the fan which seems like a waste of time for potentially less efficiency.
I found the difference between the Rev.2 & Rev.3.
Arctic Cooling have altered the page to say that the Rev.2 is not compatible with 7800.
Compare the two pictures below of the Rev.1 vs the Rev.3 (Rev.2 picture unavailable).
You'll notice a piece of the copper heatsink removed to the right of the X-bracket of the Rev.3
Arctic Cooling Silencer NV5 Rev.1
http://arctic-cooling.com/pics/nv5_04l.jpg
Arctic Cooling Silencer NV5 Rev.3
http://arctic-cooling.com/pics/nv5_r2_04l.jpg
So good news to those with 7800's??
Hello
I've just bought a NV Silencer 5 rev.2 and got struck in the installation instructions step 3, which says (after about cleaning GPU-surface): "Afterwards a generous film of the provided paste should be applied onto the GPU"
My problem is that NO paste was provided in the package, so what should I do? I have a little Arctic Silver 5 at home, but can I be sure that it is compatible with the stuff on the cooler surface? Or is that step unneccessary as there is a generous layer of grey stuff on the cooler?
agentkay
01-10-06, 07:06 PM
Clean the core, and put AS5 on it. On the memory IŽd put some silicon-based paste.
Clean the core, and put AS5 on it. On the memory IŽd put some silicon-based paste.
QFT
Groundpounder
07-01-06, 06:28 PM
I have an NV 5 rev 1 (had it too long now to take it back to the store for an exchange) which I want to fit onto my eVGA 7800 GT graphics card. My version of the rev 1 has the small notch cut out on the right side of the copper plate, just like the one used in the review (earlier models seem to have had a straight right edge).
The stock fan that came with the card is now starting to howl too much, so I want to replace it with a dedicated cooler.
Is there any reason why I can't get my rev 1 model to fit this card (with a bit of careful filing perhaps)? Or would it be better to spend the extra $30 for the rev 3 version that definitely is compatible with the 7800GT?
I have an NV 5 rev 1 (had it too long now to take it back to the store for an exchange) which I want to fit onto my eVGA 7800 GT graphics card. My version of the rev 1 has the small notch cut out on the right side of the copper plate, just like the one used in the review (earlier models seem to have had a straight right edge).
The stock fan that came with the card is now starting to howl too much, so I want to replace it with a dedicated cooler.
Is there any reason why I can't get my rev 1 model to fit this card (with a bit of careful filing perhaps)? Or would it be better to spend the extra $30 for the rev 3 version that definitely is compatible with the 7800GT?
We can't really endorse or be held accountable for trying to mod a NV5 Rev 1 to fit onto a 7800GT. So, you're safe bet is of course to get the Rev 3.
However...if you're not afraid of some filing and tweaking then there's really no reason why you couldn't give it a shot. As long as you test for impressions on the GPU (ensure that you have good contact with the NV 5 heatsink)...then you'll be fine. It might not cool the RAM as well but that isn't critical like cooling the GPU.
I have this on my 6800GT now running 400/1100 for over a year now, maybe 1.5 years but anyway it is still running fine. Never had a problem even through the hot summer of AUS (45C-50C Temps in Sydney) card was able to run fine infact temps never went above 80C on the GPU. Very solid card/heatsink..too bad i cant say the same about the 7900gtx.
Also its pretty easy to put it in as well, this was the first card that i actually changed something big like this, at first i was a bit scared because this was a pretty expensive card back then but i just did it and it ran fine on the first go. Great heatsink. Best eva, it was amazing to see the load temps drop so much and that is even after the o/c.
If any heatsink can survive the hot aus summer its this heatsink -.-.
bobster
07-03-06, 11:26 AM
I have a question about installing the card, hopefully someone will know the answer. I have the version 3 and I'm trying to figure out if the thermal paste goes onto the black pads located on the cards. There is also a L shape metal piece which I believe is for the back of the card but I'm not sure what it is used for or how to attach it. The instructions were alltogether fuzzy and I'm not entirely sure if I installed it correctly as the temperature hasn't been lowered at all... on the plus side it hasn't risen either. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Check out the review first as it may have what you are looking for.
http://www.nvnews.net/reviews/arctic_cooler_nv5_silencer/index.shtml
Groundpounder
07-03-06, 11:34 PM
Thanks for the advice Clay. I think I'll go for the rev 3 and save myself a lot of hassle.
The cost saving in using my existing rev 1 is somewhat reduced when I factor in the $10 I'll need for all the extra thermal compound I'll use up while I file and fit as you did.
Incidentally, I figured out that the increased howl during idle from the EVGA 7800GT stock fan is simply due to the difference in ambient temperature in my office between summer and winter. Once I took the cover off my computer case, the howl subsided. (Still howls during games, of course, regardless of room temperature, which is why I need the Silencer 5.)
JoshCloud9
07-20-06, 08:45 PM
Hello,
I just got a NV5 Rev 2 (good deal $15 from SVC.com)
I had to litterally Dremel off about 3/8 inch from the end of the clear plastic exhaust tube (including the screws)! is this a normal experience?
I have a Lian-Li PC-60 case and there was no way the exhaust tube was going to fit through the slot, although I presume it is supposed to stay "within" the case and come up flush with the little slot cover thing.
It worked fine otherwise.
My MB is MSI K8N Neo4-F
Video card is a EVGA GEFORCE 6800 XT 256MB PCIe
(I got the silencer to quiet my new system not for overclocking etc.)
Anyone else have this issue?
Thx,
JC9
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