Cooler Replacement for MSI GTX 580
 

I have a [URL="http://www.msi.com/product/vga/N580GTX-Twin-Frozr-II-OC.html"]MSI N580GTX Twin Frozr II/OC GTX 580[/URL]. One of the fans is stopping and starting, so I know I need to get it replaced ASAP.

Is it reference design or custom? Any suggestions/links for a good replacement are appreciated - thanks.

[URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186048[/URL] maybe?

Never heard about [URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835426026"]these guys[/URL] - but who knows, the plate looks good.

[QUOTE=flashjh;296088]I have a [URL="http://www.msi.com/product/vga/N580GTX-Twin-Frozr-II-OC.html"]MSI N580GTX Twin Frozr II/OC GTX 580[/URL]. One of the fans is stopping and starting, so I know I need to get it replaced ASAP.

Is it reference design or custom? Any suggestions/links for a good replacement are appreciated - thanks.[/QUOTE]
I use engine (car motor) oil, from time to time, like every 3-4 months or so. I always have a filled 5 ml syringe in handy around. :D

[QUOTE=LaurV;296092]I use engine (car motor) oil, from time to time, like every 3-4 months or so. I always have a filled 5 ml syringe in handy around. :D[/QUOTE]

Do you take the fan apart to put the oil on?

[QUOTE=flashjh;296154]Do you take the fan apart to put the oil on?[/QUOTE]
That was (partially) a joke, as I never opened a MSI card, no idea what kinda fan does it have. But for other hardware, yes, I did it thousand times: you take out the fan. All "standard" fans have a sticker on some place where the axis/bearings/balls (whatever is called) are. You take out the sticker carefully and add a drop of oil to the bearing, without effectively dismounting the fan. Take care not to destroy the sticker, you need patience to pull it off. Play with the fan few seconds, a minute, until the oil goes around and the propeller moves with ease. Then put the sticker back. If the glue is destroyed or oil-contaminated and it is not sticky anymore, you can substitute it with another normal paper sticker (cut it round, put it there to seal the oil, paper does not burn under 200C-400C) or scotch tape (use the one with polyetilenic substrate which does not melt at 70 degrees like normal pvc type). Engine oil is perfect for it, as it stands very high temperatures and does not expand thermic (bubbling) and it has a very low friction rate.

[QUOTE=LaurV;296233]That was (partially) a joke, as I never opened a MSI card, no idea what kinda fan does it have. But for other hardware, yes, I did it thousand times: you take out the fan. All "standard" fans have a sticker on some place where the axis/bearings/balls (whatever is called) are. You take out the sticker carefully and add a drop of oil to the bearing, without effectively dismounting the fan. Take care not to destroy the sticker, you need patience to pull it off. Play with the fan few seconds, a minute, until the oil goes around and the propeller moves with ease. Then put the sticker back. If the glue is destroyed or oil-contaminated and it is not sticky anymore, you can substitute it with another normal paper sticker (cut it round, put it there to seal the oil, paper does not burn under 200C-400C) or scotch tape (use the one with polyetilenic substrate which does not melt at 70 degrees like normal pvc type). Engine oil is perfect for it, as it stands very high temperatures and does not expand thermic (bubbling) and it has a very low friction rate.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I've fixed fans before, but I didn't want to disassemble the fan any more than necessary. Thanks for the extra info, I'll let you know how it goes.

Is it still under warranty?

[QUOTE=lavalamp;296272]Is it still under warranty?[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately, no.

When my MSI 2 3/4-old card rattled, I filed for RMA (even though I knew from the original purchase that the warranty was 1yr); ...and they did RMA it. Either they upgraded everyone's warranties when they switched to the now standard 3yr warranty, or they couldn't be bothered. They simply RMAd it.

I can only venture to guess that it's not the time that is a factor here? (This 580 card cannot be 3 yrs old?!)

[QUOTE=Batalov;296294]When my MSI 2 3/4-old card rattled, I filed for RMA (even though I knew from the original purchase that the warranty was 1yr); ...and they did RMA it. Either they upgraded everyone's warranties when they switched to the now standard 3yr warranty, or they couldn't be bothered. They simply RMAd it.

I can only venture to guess that it's not the time that is a factor here? (This 580 card cannot be 3 yrs old?!)[/QUOTE]

Well, I can try... I'm not the original owner, but it's worth a shot. The worst they can say is, "No"

I used this [URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118037"]Zalman[/URL] on my older GPU and it dropped the temp by ~25 degrees. I also get similar results from their CPU coolers.

They have one for the [URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118094"]GTX 580[/URL]. Judging from my experiences with Zalman, I would recommend looking into this.