changing the fan cooler on my video card

I want to change the fan on my model ATI FireGL X2 AGP Pro graphics card,
and I want know if it's possible to take off the existing fan cooler and
sticking another cooler fan on it? I thinking about buying the Zalman
VF900-Cu VGA Cooler, or the VF700-Cu VGA Cooler made by Zalman.
If anyone knows what that ATI FireGL X2 is like, it seems a bit hard or
impossible to take off the cooler? I'm not sure, I never looked at it in that
way to study to take off the cooler.
I'm about to soon.
I asked this question in a hardware group especially for this question and
didn't get a response. I get better replies here, by much more.
Thanks, attilathehun1

attilathehun1 wrote:
> I want to change the fan on my model ATI FireGL X2 AGP Pro graphics card,
> and I want know if it's possible to take off the existing fan cooler and
> sticking another cooler fan on it? I thinking about buying the Zalman
> VF900-Cu VGA Cooler, or the VF700-Cu VGA Cooler made by Zalman.
> If anyone knows what that ATI FireGL X2 is like, it seems a bit hard or
> impossible to take off the cooler? I'm not sure, I never looked at it in that
> way to study to take off the cooler.
> I'm about to soon.
> I asked this question in a hardware group especially for this question and
> didn't get a response. I get better replies here, by much more.
> Thanks, attilathehun1

The reason you're not going to get an answer, is not many people use
cards like that, and make changes to them. FireGL cards are usually
expensive when new, and nobody does surgery on expensive cards.

This is an example picture of the card (please compare this to your real
card, and see if it is similar in design). Now, the first issue is, is the
fan over top of the GPU, or mounted off to the side. I had to
find a 9800 XT AGP card, to compare to it.

http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?item=59042

It looks similar to the 9800 XT, with exceptions like the different connectors
on the faceplate.

http://www.games-fusion.net/images/r.../9800xt(4).jpg

This is a 9800 XT, and you can see here, the GPU is actually in the
normal place. The fan on the FireGL was placed off to the side.
(There are also 9800 XT cards with dual fans, so there are
a number of possible variations.) Note the two mounting
holes nearest to the GPU.

http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/re...scan-front.jpg
http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/re...-scan-back.jpg

Now, the trick is, to find a cooler that mounts on the two
diagonal holes on either side of the GPU.

On the VF900 page, it shows "9xxx" cards supported via the
arms in the pictured labeled "1" and "1". That means the
VF900 would be held on by two screws, versus the four screws
that hold the cooler on for the other kinds of video cards.
You can compare the relative position of the arms labeled
"1" and "1", to the detailed picture of the 9800 XT from
ixbt.com .

http://www.zalman.co.kr/ENG/product/...ad.asp?idx=144

If is possible the VF700 might fit as well. The second link
is the compatibility chart, and the 9800 XT is in the list.

http://www.zalman.co.kr/ENG/product/...ad.asp?idx=139
http://www.zalman.co.kr/product/cool...elist_eng.html

There can always be surprises with things like this, like getting
the product home, and discovering some mechanical part gets in
the way. In which case, you could always Ebay the new cooler to
get rid of it.

Paul

Yeah, that's it. I went to ati.com and then it took me to an AMD website.
From there I put into the search box FireGL X2 Pro AGP and then chose ATI
instead of AMD, those were the two options. It's it. So, what do you think,
can I take off the noise making fan and install the Zalman VF900-Cu VGA
Cooler?
Thanks, attilathehun1

"Paul" wrote:

> attilathehun1 wrote:
> > I want to change the fan on my model ATI FireGL X2 AGP Pro graphics card,
> > and I want know if it's possible to take off the existing fan cooler and
> > sticking another cooler fan on it? I thinking about buying the Zalman
> > VF900-Cu VGA Cooler, or the VF700-Cu VGA Cooler made by Zalman.
> > If anyone knows what that ATI FireGL X2 is like, it seems a bit hard or
> > impossible to take off the cooler? I'm not sure, I never looked at it in that
> > way to study to take off the cooler.
> > I'm about to soon.
> > I asked this question in a hardware group especially for this question and
> > didn't get a response. I get better replies here, by much more.
> > Thanks, attilathehun1
>
> The reason you're not going to get an answer, is not many people use
> cards like that, and make changes to them. FireGL cards are usually
> expensive when new, and nobody does surgery on expensive cards.
>
> This is an example picture of the card (please compare this to your real
> card, and see if it is similar in design). Now, the first issue is, is the
> fan over top of the GPU, or mounted off to the side. I had to
> find a 9800 XT AGP card, to compare to it.
>
> http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?item=59042
>
> It looks similar to the 9800 XT, with exceptions like the different connectors
> on the faceplate.
>
> http://www.games-fusion.net/images/r.../9800xt(4).jpg
>
> This is a 9800 XT, and you can see here, the GPU is actually in the
> normal place. The fan on the FireGL was placed off to the side.
> (There are also 9800 XT cards with dual fans, so there are
> a number of possible variations.) Note the two mounting
> holes nearest to the GPU.
>
> http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/re...scan-front.jpg
> http://www.ixbt.com/video2/images/re...-scan-back.jpg
>
> Now, the trick is, to find a cooler that mounts on the two
> diagonal holes on either side of the GPU.
>
> On the VF900 page, it shows "9xxx" cards supported via the
> arms in the pictured labeled "1" and "1". That means the
> VF900 would be held on by two screws, versus the four screws
> that hold the cooler on for the other kinds of video cards.
> You can compare the relative position of the arms labeled
> "1" and "1", to the detailed picture of the 9800 XT from
> ixbt.com .
>
> http://www.zalman.co.kr/ENG/product/...ad.asp?idx=144
>
> If is possible the VF700 might fit as well. The second link
> is the compatibility chart, and the 9800 XT is in the list.
>
> http://www.zalman.co.kr/ENG/product/...ad.asp?idx=139
> http://www.zalman.co.kr/product/cool...elist_eng.html
>
> There can always be surprises with things like this, like getting
> the product home, and discovering some mechanical part gets in
> the way. In which case, you could always Ebay the new cooler to
> get rid of it.
>
> Paul
>

attilathehun1 wrote:
> Yeah, that's it. I went to ati.com and then it took me to an AMD website.
> From there I put into the search box FireGL X2 Pro AGP and then chose ATI
> instead of AMD, those were the two options. It's it. So, what do you think,
> can I take off the noise making fan and install the Zalman VF900-Cu VGA
> Cooler?
> Thanks, attilathehun1

Fitting the main cooler probably isn't that bad. The part that will make
you crazy, is fitting the RAM sinks. And I don't wanna be around when
you do that, because you'll likely end up swearing a lot :-)

I tried to find a web page, where someone fitted a VF900 to a 9800XT,
and so far I haven't found one. Lots of false hits in the search engine.
So I cannot recommend it, unless I can find a picture that shows how
it went.

Paul

Ok, I took the card out and yeah it looks like this whole fan assembly comes
off with some screws and a bar across the back of the card that just slips
into a position and then it releases. I'm just thinking to use the same
setup, but brand new from the same card. There are four small screws under
the fan that will take a small screwdriver that I have, and then there are 2
big spring loaded screws that are probably hooked into the backplate that I
was talking on the back of the card.
I think this is very possible to do.
In the mean time, I have that other card the 8 X AGP that I probably can
use on my Dell 8300 stock motherboard. If I can use it, I'm sure you will
know that. Maybe you can save me some looking up.
You know, I should learn where to go to find out what motherboard will take
what card. I know you gave me that website, I'll take a look there, but other
than having the motherboard manual, I should learn a website where I can go
where the motherboards are listed that take certain speeds.
Ok, oh the new video card I'm thinking about sticking into my Dell 8300 is
a 8x/4x card model ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128 mb DDR. Well, if this ATI FireGL
X2 AGP Pro is a 8x or a 4x then this card will work. I'm almost sure that
mobo is a 4 x, at least.
Ok, I'll wait for your response. I got to have this up by the time I go to
sleep, because I gotta get up by 6:15am and it's 1:15 am now.
I'll walk the dog and by the time I get back, hopefully you'll have the
answers.
Thanks, attilathehun1


"Paul" wrote:

> attilathehun1 wrote:
> > Yeah, that's it. I went to ati.com and then it took me to an AMD website.
> > From there I put into the search box FireGL X2 Pro AGP and then chose ATI
> > instead of AMD, those were the two options. It's it. So, what do you think,
> > can I take off the noise making fan and install the Zalman VF900-Cu VGA
> > Cooler?
> > Thanks, attilathehun1
>
> Fitting the main cooler probably isn't that bad. The part that will make
> you crazy, is fitting the RAM sinks. And I don't wanna be around when
> you do that, because you'll likely end up swearing a lot :-)
>
> I tried to find a web page, where someone fitted a VF900 to a 9800XT,
> and so far I haven't found one. Lots of false hits in the search engine.
> So I cannot recommend it, unless I can find a picture that shows how
> it went.
>
> Paul
>

attilathehun1 wrote:
> Ok, I took the card out and yeah it looks like this whole fan assembly comes
> off with some screws and a bar across the back of the card that just slips
> into a position and then it releases. I'm just thinking to use the same
> setup, but brand new from the same card. There are four small screws under
> the fan that will take a small screwdriver that I have, and then there are 2
> big spring loaded screws that are probably hooked into the backplate that I
> was talking on the back of the card.
> I think this is very possible to do.
> In the mean time, I have that other card the 8 X AGP that I probably can
> use on my Dell 8300 stock motherboard. If I can use it, I'm sure you will
> know that. Maybe you can save me some looking up.
> You know, I should learn where to go to find out what motherboard will take
> what card. I know you gave me that website, I'll take a look there, but other
> than having the motherboard manual, I should learn a website where I can go
> where the motherboards are listed that take certain speeds.
> Ok, oh the new video card I'm thinking about sticking into my Dell 8300 is
> a 8x/4x card model ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128 mb DDR. Well, if this ATI FireGL
> X2 AGP Pro is a 8x or a 4x then this card will work. I'm almost sure that
> mobo is a 4 x, at least.
> Ok, I'll wait for your response. I got to have this up by the time I go to
> sleep, because I gotta get up by 6:15am and it's 1:15 am now.
> I'll walk the dog and by the time I get back, hopefully you'll have the
> answers.
> Thanks, attilathehun1
>

They're all from the same era, so should have the same characteristics.
If a FireGL X2 (which is a 9800 XT) works, then a 9800Pro should also
work.

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/

Paul

Ok, I installed the new video card model name ATI Radeon 9800 Pro. I think
the old card ATI FireGL X2 AGP Pro was a bit better. Not because the old card
was a 256mb opposed to the new card 128mb, it's because the refresh rate I
could get on the old FireGL X2 was at least 72 that I wanted and I could get
a better screen resolution rate with it. You know when you can check that box
that says " Hide modes that this monitor can not display ", It won't come up
with the old screen resolution rate that I had on the old card. Now, it's not
much of a difference and for the money I'd probably go with this card, if I
was pressed for cash, and I am, like most of the others. LOC
Ok, I installed the card, but the Getting Started Guide booklet that came
with device said to install the AGP Drivers for non-Intel Chipset Based
Motherboards. Well, I'm reading here again, and it says, Several AGP
motherboard manufacturers use non-Intel AGP chipsets. Chipsets include those
made by Acer Laboratories (ALI), Silicon Intergrated Systems (SIS), and VIA
Technologies, Inc. Each non-Intel chipset requires the installation of a
custom Virtual GART (AGP) Driver. This driver is required by your new ATI
card to function correctly with your motherboard. It is very important that
the correct AGP driver be installed before installing an AGP video card in
your system.
That's why I read all the time that people say that ATI doesn't go well
with these cards, or this device doesn't work with this motherboard well. I
went to the website, Intel's website, http://support.intel.com and couldn't
find the correct or latest AGP drivers for my motherboard. Thank the stars
that it is an Intel chipset. I just probably don't have the latest AGP driver
for the mobo.
The card seems to be working properly. Well, I learned a bit more even
though. If you could tell me where to go on Intel's website to get the latest
drivers, or I mean what to put into the search box on my Dell 8300. Let me
give you some information about the chipset on the Dell 8300. Hang on, here
it is; In Device Manager under System Devices; Intel(R) 82875P Processor to
AGP Controller-2579. I tried putting that data in to get the lastest AGP
driver and what came up wasn't what I thought was correct. Luckily, like I
said previously, I have an Intel chipset, so the card works fine, so far.
I was away, and another lucky happening is that this message didn't get
deleted before I placed it. It's been an hour going on for this ongoing
message.
Getting back to the point on hand. Taking off the present fan cooler on the
ATI FireGL X2 AGP Pro. I'll do that now and post another reply.
Thanks, attilathehun1

"Paul" wrote:

> attilathehun1 wrote:
> > Ok, I took the card out and yeah it looks like this whole fan assembly comes
> > off with some screws and a bar across the back of the card that just slips
> > into a position and then it releases. I'm just thinking to use the same
> > setup, but brand new from the same card. There are four small screws under
> > the fan that will take a small screwdriver that I have, and then there are 2
> > big spring loaded screws that are probably hooked into the backplate that I
> > was talking on the back of the card.
> > I think this is very possible to do.
> > In the mean time, I have that other card the 8 X AGP that I probably can
> > use on my Dell 8300 stock motherboard. If I can use it, I'm sure you will
> > know that. Maybe you can save me some looking up.
> > You know, I should learn where to go to find out what motherboard will take
> > what card. I know you gave me that website, I'll take a look there, but other
> > than having the motherboard manual, I should learn a website where I can go
> > where the motherboards are listed that take certain speeds.
> > Ok, oh the new video card I'm thinking about sticking into my Dell 8300 is
> > a 8x/4x card model ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128 mb DDR. Well, if this ATI FireGL
> > X2 AGP Pro is a 8x or a 4x then this card will work. I'm almost sure that
> > mobo is a 4 x, at least.
> > Ok, I'll wait for your response. I got to have this up by the time I go to
> > sleep, because I gotta get up by 6:15am and it's 1:15 am now.
> > I'll walk the dog and by the time I get back, hopefully you'll have the
> > answers.
> > Thanks, attilathehun1
> >
>
> They're all from the same era, so should have the same characteristics.
> If a FireGL X2 (which is a 9800 XT) works, then a 9800Pro should also
> work.
>
> http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/
>
> Paul
>

Well, I got 3 of the 4 screws, the ones that are inside the spinning fans,
and the last 4th puny screw is almost all the way stripped. Yeah I know about
taking a straight head screwdriver and a hammer and hitting a new groove into
it. I'll let the mechanic at Tune-up Masters do that. He's taking out
stripped screws all day. Darn it, maybe I should, no let the mechanic do it.
Ok, I've come to a crossroad here and can't go any farther. Allright, if
you can get back to me about what to put into the search box at Intel's
website to get the latest AGP drivers that would be something to relieve this
aggravation of the stripped screw. It's up to you, you've been more than a
help so I can't complain.
Thanks, attilathehun1

"Paul" wrote:

> attilathehun1 wrote:
> > Ok, I took the card out and yeah it looks like this whole fan assembly comes
> > off with some screws and a bar across the back of the card that just slips
> > into a position and then it releases. I'm just thinking to use the same
> > setup, but brand new from the same card. There are four small screws under
> > the fan that will take a small screwdriver that I have, and then there are 2
> > big spring loaded screws that are probably hooked into the backplate that I
> > was talking on the back of the card.
> > I think this is very possible to do.
> > In the mean time, I have that other card the 8 X AGP that I probably can
> > use on my Dell 8300 stock motherboard. If I can use it, I'm sure you will
> > know that. Maybe you can save me some looking up.
> > You know, I should learn where to go to find out what motherboard will take
> > what card. I know you gave me that website, I'll take a look there, but other
> > than having the motherboard manual, I should learn a website where I can go
> > where the motherboards are listed that take certain speeds.
> > Ok, oh the new video card I'm thinking about sticking into my Dell 8300 is
> > a 8x/4x card model ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128 mb DDR. Well, if this ATI FireGL
> > X2 AGP Pro is a 8x or a 4x then this card will work. I'm almost sure that
> > mobo is a 4 x, at least.
> > Ok, I'll wait for your response. I got to have this up by the time I go to
> > sleep, because I gotta get up by 6:15am and it's 1:15 am now.
> > I'll walk the dog and by the time I get back, hopefully you'll have the
> > answers.
> > Thanks, attilathehun1
> >
>
> They're all from the same era, so should have the same characteristics.
> If a FireGL X2 (which is a 9800 XT) works, then a 9800Pro should also
> work.
>
> http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/
>
> Paul
>

attilathehun1 wrote:
> Well, I got 3 of the 4 screws, the ones that are inside the spinning fans,
> and the last 4th puny screw is almost all the way stripped. Yeah I know about
> taking a straight head screwdriver and a hammer and hitting a new groove into
> it. I'll let the mechanic at Tune-up Masters do that. He's taking out
> stripped screws all day. Darn it, maybe I should, no let the mechanic do it.
> Ok, I've come to a crossroad here and can't go any farther. Allright, if
> you can get back to me about what to put into the search box at Intel's
> website to get the latest AGP drivers that would be something to relieve this
> aggravation of the stripped screw. It's up to you, you've been more than a
> help so I can't complain.
> Thanks, attilathehun1
>

Are you sure a new driver is required ? You were using the FireGL board,
and getting a good frame rate. Which means you likely had a good AGP
driver for the chipset. You might not need to change it. The thing is,
when Intel releases later versions, the files for older chipset may not
get changed at all.

Your board appears to have the same chipset as mine - 875P.

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...0/sm/specs.htm

You could start here. For example, the 9.0.0.1008 file should work.
The trick is, 865.inf covers both 865 chipset and 875 chipset.

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...=1043&lang=eng

In my "installed" folder, I have an older one, and this is the comment
section from the 865.inf file. So more than one Northbridge is handled
by this file.

; ** Filename: 865.INF (82865 & 82875/E7210 & 82848 Chipset)
; ** Abstract: Windows* 2K, XP, 2003 INF Update File for
; ** 82865 & 82875/E7210 & 82848 Memory Controller Hub

Once you've installed chipset drivers, some version of DirectX, and
the ATI video card driver and control panel stuff (CCC), you can use
Powerstrip to check the results.

Powerstrip is shareware, which you can evaluate for a limited period.
I used it long ago, to check my texture setting.

http://www.entechtaiwan.com/util/ps.shtm

If you use the Options item from the Powerstrip task bar popup,
it shows whether "DMA", "DIME", or "disabled" is enabled. DMA or
DIME, are texture transfer mechanisms, and are indicative
that hardware acceleration is present.

http://tech.tom.com/img/assets/1100/021126news045.jpg

Alternately, you can use dxdiag from the DirectX install, to
check it. There are some test buttons.

Paul

I was going to post this reply earlier but I wanted it to come up on the
date of the 17th, so I could distinguish it from other replies.
Since we've come to a road block or an obstruction to progress maybe you
could answer this new question.
I'm on newegg.com online right now trying to buy some RAM sticks for this
new motherboard that I bought about a month ago. There were some bad reviews
about this mobo, it's a model Elitegroup GF6100-M754. One review was by a PC
tech that said 2 out of 3 customers returned it. Another one was by a dude
that said the DDR 400 RAM stick that was thrown in free, made by Kingston,
was not compatible with the mobo, but as soon as he replaced it with another
RAM stick it was fine. Another review was about a dude who said ATI video
cards don't work with this mobo/CPU combo. Now since I've learned about
downloading the correct drivers for the chipset, for example, on my Intel for
the ATI card. Probably these people that were having problems didn't have an
Intel chipset and used an ATI video card and didn't download any driver for
non-Intel chipset based motherboards.
The other problem with the included Kingston DDR 400 512 mb RAM stick is
because I noticed, on a 8" x 4" piece of paper that was inserted in the
package, an addendum that said, " Users please note that the memory
controller of this motherboard stably supports DDR memory DIMM frequencies of
333/266/200 rather than 400/333/266/200". You see the absence of the 400
there of what's supported. Right, you include a DDR 400 stick and the mobo
doesn't support it.
So, now I've come to the conclusion that maybe this wasn't a waste of money
and the reviews were by people that weren't educated to the facts. Thanks to
you, I've been upgraded to a 3 on the 1 to 5 scale of expertise. LOL
Look, back to the question at hand. I'm looking at these RAM sticks and DDR
333 with 184 pins is what I need for this mobo. Some stick say ECC-no and
others yes, most say Heat Spreader-no and 1 so far has said yes to heat
spreader. The one that says yes to heat spreader is a bit more expensive.
Then there are voltages that say 2.5 mostly but 1 says 2.6 volts. Ok, I have
3 here that I blued and copied and pasted onto Microsoft word. All have heat
spreaders, all are non-ecc. I just noticed that they are all Kingstons.
Anyways, I guess I'm going to buy 2 sticks and put 1 GB of DDR 333 RAM into
this mobo and get this living room PC working again.
Ok, it's getting late and I gotta walk the dog and get up early to play the
stock market. Lost $1100 yesterday morning only because my screaming to get
out had no effect on my brother when we were down only $330 dollars. When the
stock market opened at 6:30 am on the west coast my PC was just getting the
drivers loaded up for the new ATI card. I had to install the video card at
6:20 am because at 4 am I broke off the plastic piece that releases the video
card on my Dell 8300 mobo. I crazy glued it and 10 minutes later it was still
sticky. I used some generic crazy glue because I couldn't find the original
crazy glue.
Ok, lets get onto this walk.
Thanks, attilathehun1

"Paul" wrote:

> attilathehun1 wrote:
> > Well, I got 3 of the 4 screws, the ones that are inside the spinning fans,
> > and the last 4th puny screw is almost all the way stripped. Yeah I know about
> > taking a straight head screwdriver and a hammer and hitting a new groove into
> > it. I'll let the mechanic at Tune-up Masters do that. He's taking out
> > stripped screws all day. Darn it, maybe I should, no let the mechanic do it.
> > Ok, I've come to a crossroad here and can't go any farther. Allright, if
> > you can get back to me about what to put into the search box at Intel's
> > website to get the latest AGP drivers that would be something to relieve this
> > aggravation of the stripped screw. It's up to you, you've been more than a
> > help so I can't complain.
> > Thanks, attilathehun1
> >
>
> Are you sure a new driver is required ? You were using the FireGL board,
> and getting a good frame rate. Which means you likely had a good AGP
> driver for the chipset. You might not need to change it. The thing is,
> when Intel releases later versions, the files for older chipset may not
> get changed at all.
>
> Your board appears to have the same chipset as mine - 875P.
>
> http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...0/sm/specs.htm
>
> You could start here. For example, the 9.0.0.1008 file should work.
> The trick is, 865.inf covers both 865 chipset and 875 chipset.
>
> http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...=1043&lang=eng
>
> In my "installed" folder, I have an older one, and this is the comment
> section from the 865.inf file. So more than one Northbridge is handled
> by this file.
>
> ; ** Filename: 865.INF (82865 & 82875/E7210 & 82848 Chipset)
> ; ** Abstract: Windows* 2K, XP, 2003 INF Update File for
> ; ** 82865 & 82875/E7210 & 82848 Memory Controller Hub
>
> Once you've installed chipset drivers, some version of DirectX, and
> the ATI video card driver and control panel stuff (CCC), you can use
> Powerstrip to check the results.
>
> Powerstrip is shareware, which you can evaluate for a limited period.
> I used it long ago, to check my texture setting.
>
> http://www.entechtaiwan.com/util/ps.shtm
>
> If you use the Options item from the Powerstrip task bar popup,
> it shows whether "DMA", "DIME", or "disabled" is enabled. DMA or
> DIME, are texture transfer mechanisms, and are indicative
> that hardware acceleration is present.
>
> http://tech.tom.com/img/assets/1100/021126news045.jpg
>
> Alternately, you can use dxdiag from the DirectX install, to
> check it. There are some test buttons.
>
> Paul
>