Zalman VF3000A VGA Cooler

Written by Bruce Normann

Friday, 10 September 2010

Table of Contents: Page Index
Zalman VF3000A VGA Cooler
Features and Specifications
Closer Look: ZALMAN VF3000A
ZALMAN VF3000A Detailed Features
ZALMAN VF3000A Installation
Cooler Testing Methodology
VGA Cooler Test Results
Final Thoughts and Conclusion

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Zalman VF3000A Video Card Cooler Review

Zalman is one of the oldest names in PC cooling products, and they've had some star performers over the years. They have always had a line of graphics card cooling products that compliment their CPU coolers. The GPU cooler market is more stable, and much less diverse that the CPU marketplace, for a number of reasons. Zalman has been a strong and steady presence as the power density of graphics processors has been steadily rising. There is a lot of competition on the OEM front for GPU cooler design, as manufacturers try to differentiate their products in the video card marketplace. It's one of the key design elements that we look for at Benchmark Reviews when we review a graphics card. Into this power struggle, Zalman has just launched a whole new product line of aftermarket coolers that will work with a wide variety of VGA products. Today, we're going to look at the VF3000A model, which is specifically designed to mate with the reference design for the ATI Radeon HD 58xx series of graphics cards.

Manufacturer: Zalman Tech Co. Ltd
Product Name: Dual Fan VGA Cooler
Model Number: VF3000A
Price As Tested: $54.99

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Zalman Tech Co. Ltd.

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Comments

# Good cooler — pitne 2010-09-10 13:57

I have a GTX 480 AMP! Edition and it has a cooler that looks very similar to this one. It's amazing how quiet and cool it runs the card compared to the stock cooler. I'm very happy with it

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# Thanks for the info.... — BruceBruce 2010-09-10 15:13

You're right, that is an OEM version of the Zalman VF3000 cooler on the Zotac AMP! edition GTX480. It does a very nice job with that GPU as well. I think the contact block was designed with the GTX480 integrated heat spreader in mind, as it's much larger than is needed for the ATI Radeon chips.

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# RE: Zalman VF3000A VGA Cooler — Mike T. 2010-09-21 10:40

Is there one for GTX 460, if yes where can i get one

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# Yes, the V3000F — BruceBruce 2010-09-21 11:12

So far, they only have one for the GTX 480/470/465 card series.
The second "F" in VF3000F stands for Fermi. I can't find it in distribution in North America, but it is for sale in Asia right now.

I don't see the need for it on the GTX 460, personally. If you want the best OEM cooling for that chip, buy the MSI Hawk.

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# RE: Yes, the V3000F — Mike T. 2010-09-23 15:03

Thanks, MSI Hawk, any venders in mind.

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# Newegg in the USA/CAN region — BruceBruce 2010-09-23 17:52

I'm personally addicted to Newegg, but that's just me....
Oh wait, I think there are thousands like me. LOL

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# vga cooler — ingorgio 2011-06-12 10:04

i have a xfx 5830 in stock cooler idle temperature ar 45 celsius load 89-90 celsius.
i purchaise zalman vf 3000 idle 25 celsius full load 45

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# RE: Zalman VF3000A VGA Cooler — ingorgio 2011-06-12 10:05

sorry for my english

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# Thanks for the info — Bruce Bruce 2011-06-12 13:51

It's always gratifying to hear good feedback on items we've reviewed. I still use this cooler today on a HD 5870. It runs quiet and cool!

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# Zalman VF3000A VGA Cooler — Soty 2012-01-22 09:06

There is a way to connect the fans to the vga and let it be controled by MSI afterbourner or EVGA and stuff like that? pls need to know that!!!

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# Yes, but.... — Bruce 2012-01-22 16:17

At a minimum, you will have to install new connectors on the fan leads. Plus the video card has to have the right type of power supply for the fans. If the video card has a PWM-type fan controller, it probably won't work with the Zalman, which has only three connections: Ground, +DC, Tachometer.

Not saying it can't be done, but it's not a job for the inexperienced. OTOH, you know there's only one way to get experience... [%^D

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