X-bit labs

GeForce 8 Streams to the Mainstream: Asus GeForce 8600 GTS Review (page 6)

Category: Video

by Alexey Stepin , Yaroslav Lyssenko, Anton Shilov

[ 04/18/2007 | 06:08 AM ]

Cooling System

The cooling system of GeForce 8600 GTS is much simpler in design than that of the GeForce 8800 family, because G84 generates considerably less heat than G80.

The cooler looks like a variation of the GeForce 6800 cooling solution, although it is simpler and smaller. Nevertheless, it features one heatpipe that ensures efficient functioning of the aluminum heatsink with relatively large gap between the ribs. The system doesn’t oust the warm air outside the system case, but fits into a single slot with the graphics card instead.

Unlike GeForce 7600/7900/7950, the fan on the GeForce 8600 GTS reference cooler uses four-pin connector instead of the traditional two-pin one. It boasts PWM-management and fan rotation speed control option. The cooler is fastened to the PCB with four spring-screws and cools not only the GPU, but also the memory chips working at high clock speeds.

Judging by the size and design of the GeForce 8600 GTS cooling system, this graphics adapter boasts relatively low heat dissipation and power consumption, however we still have to check it out in practical tests.