Aftermarket cooling for GTX 580

[DRxEVOx]

I have a EVGA GTX 580 1.5GB video card and i am looking to do a little overclocking on it, but i am afraid that the stock cooler might not be good enough. I was wondering if some of you could tell me about my options on getting it overclocked and which coolers would be good to invest in.

[Slizzo]

Originally Posted by DRxEVOx

I have a EVGA GTX 580 1.5GB video card and i am looking to do a little overclocking on it, but i am afraid that the stock cooler might not be good enough. I was wondering if some of you could tell me about my options on getting it overclocked and which coolers would be good to invest in.

Stock cooler is a vapor chamber cooler and actually does quite well. Only way you can really improve on it is to move to a water cooling solution.

I believe Arctic Cooling might have an aftermarket cooler for it, but you need to look at gains per dollar spent. Will probably be a little quieter, but that's at the expense of it dumping all that hot air into your case rather than routing it out the back like the stock cooler.

[Spartacus]

You can overclock it substantially with the stock cooler, but, you'll have to turn up the fan a good bit which will sound like a jet engine. If you don't mind the noise, the stock cooler is sufficient for a 10%+ OC

[DRxEVOx]

How much would I gain if I add another gtx 580?

[retslag1]

what do you mean? I put watercooling on mine, and it loads 100% at stock at 40 degrees C. I would suggest the same for you if you want to push it to the max

[DRxEVOx]

Originally Posted by retslag1

what do you mean? I put watercooling on mine, and it loads 100% at stock at 40 degrees C. I would suggest the same for you if you want to push it to the max

What im saying is that should i invest into another 580?

[hostage67]

A second Nvidia GPU will typically give you roughly 90% performance. If it is going to be worthwhile for you depends on several factors...

1. What resolution are you currently running at. A single monitor might benefit some if you are trying to run a 120hz setup, but if you are only at 60hz at say 1920x1080 resolution, then you are probably already at or near the 60hz refresh rate with the 580.

2. How much memory are you currently using. The 580's have 1.5gb's of VRam. If you are running a single monitor this is probably ok, but if you are running a multi-monitor setup this probably isn't really enough, especially at max settings. The problem with this is adding a second card won't help if this is an issue for you as each card needs to contain all of the information, so even with 4 cards your effective memory is still only 1.5 even though technically you have 6gb's of memory between all 4 cards. The only way to increase memory would be by buying a new card that includes more. 680 currently has 2gb which is only a minor improvement, the 7970 has 3gb's which isn't too bad, though there are some 680's expected soon that will include 4gb's of memory, which is the highest seen to date.

3. What is your budget. Running multiple gpu's may not be financially viable right now, especially if your PSU isn't up to snuff and you have to buy a new PSU as well in order to meet power requirements.


Anyways, just a few things to think about. If you are happy with your current setup, I would probably wait for the 685 later this year before upgrading.

[DRxEVOx]

Originally Posted by hostage67

A second Nvidia GPU will typically give you roughly 90% performance. If it is going to be worthwhile for you depends on several factors...

1. What resolution are you currently running at. A single monitor might benefit some if you are trying to run a 120hz setup, but if you are only at 60hz at say 1920x1080 resolution, then you are probably already at or near the 60hz refresh rate with the 580.

2. How much memory are you currently using. The 580's have 1.5gb's of VRam. If you are running a single monitor this is probably ok, but if you are running a multi-monitor setup this probably isn't really enough, especially at max settings. The problem with this is adding a second card won't help if this is an issue for you as each card needs to contain all of the information, so even with 4 cards your effective memory is still only 1.5 even though technically you have 6gb's of memory between all 4 cards. The only way to increase memory would be by buying a new card that includes more. 680 currently has 2gb which is only a minor improvement, the 7970 has 3gb's which isn't too bad, though there are some 680's expected soon that will include 4gb's of memory, which is the highest seen to date.

3. What is your budget. Running multiple gpu's may not be financially viable right now, especially if your PSU isn't up to snuff and you have to buy a new PSU as well in order to meet power requirements.


Anyways, just a few things to think about. If you are happy with your current setup, I would probably wait for the 685 later this year before upgrading.

Ok thank you for your time and knowledge. I guess i will wait cause the GTX 580 is still a very powerful graphics card even by todays standards.

[hostage67]

ya, if I had a 580, I probably wouldn't be upgrading this round.