Introduction

The GTX480-HS heatsink is designed to cool surface mount components (memory, and voltage mosfets) on nVidia 's reference design GeForce™ GTX400 series graphics cards listed below. It is designed to be installed in conjunction with our MCW80 VGA water-blocks and it allows the highest possible stable overclocks of these high-end graphic cards while keeping them cool and quiet.

Available versions:

GTX480-HS, for nVidia 's GeForce™ GTX 480 reference design P1022
GTX470-HS, for nVidia 's GeForce™ GTX 470 reference design P1025

Features and benefits

The performance advantage of the MCW80 GPU cooler over full-cover water-block solutions is well known among enthusiast users: improved thermal conductivity thanks to Swiftech's Diamond Pin Matrix, and less heat dumped into the liquid cooling loop coming from memory, I/O and power mosfets since they remain air cooled. Thus, when coupled with the GTX-400 heatsinks, the combination provides a powerful cooling solution that is generally more economical than the average full-cover water-block while offering superior performance where it really counts: at the GPU level!

Another important factor in choosing this type of hybrid cooling solution is that when new graphics cards models are introduced, the Water-block itself can usually be re-used. Numerous users have testified in forums to have been keeping their MCW60 upwards of 5 years, and re-used them with several generations of graphics cards!

The GTX-400 series of heatsinks are custom Aluminum extrusions, and they are precision CNC machined to allow optimum TIM joints with the hottest components such as the voltage regulator modules, where high performance thermal grease is to be used. Less heat intensive components such as memory receive pre-applied thermal pads, as shown below.


The GTX480-HS back side, showing pre-applied thermal pads for the memory, and bare metal pedestals to be used with thermal grease





In order to provide additional cooling in extreme overclocking/overvolting conditions, the heatsinks now feature pre-drilled holes allowing the installation of an optional 80mm fans as shown below. Use of a low profile 80x15mm fan is recommended to maintain the 2-slot spacing necessary for SLI installations.

The GTX480-HS heatsink, shown with an 80x15mm fan






Finally, to guarantee a safe and stable assembly, a GPU stiffening frame (partl #GTX400) is included that replaces the frame built into the stock cooling solution. This bracket is important to maintain the PCB flat in the immediate area surrounding the GPU. The bracket also serves as an anchor to install the MCW80 waterblocks with their standard mounting bracket.

                                                            The GTX400 stiffening frame

 
                                 The MCW80 with standard mounting bracket is anchored into the GT400 frame

Pictures Gallery

 The MCW80 and GTX480-HS installed








Specifications

• Material: black anodized aluminum extrusion
• Weight: 8 oz (248 g)
• Installation: high thermal conductivity pad, and thermal grease
  

How to check for compatibility?

The nVidia reference board number is usually printed on the back of the circuit board, in a code located below the nVidia® logo, as can be seen below: