Can Prolimatech GPU Heatsink Cool Down Quadro and FirePro?

Install Procedure: AMD FirePro V8800 2GB

AMD FirePro V8800 2GB - AMD's high-end workhorse

Prolimatech states that 28 graphics cards are compatible with the MK-13 heatsink, but the interesting bit is that allegedly, GeForce GTX 480 is not supported, while GTX 470 is. Given that we installed this part on a GTX 480 and it works with no major issues, it looks like on its own [without external fans], MK-13 can't cool down the hot'n'power hungry GF100 "Fermi" chip. However, Caseking's kit includes two silent S-Flex fans and they significantly reduce the temperature achieved by the parts. Naturally, the company didn't list a single workstation-class graphics card.
Prolimatech also states that there are known incompatibilities with some odd-shaped cases on the market, such as SilverStone's RV02 "Raven" case. Given that we use the aluminum version [FT02], we checked that incompatibility claim as well.
But first and foremost, the reason why we acquired the MK-13 heatsinks was very simple: can they reduce the noise level of our SuperMicro and HP workstations?

The first board that came under scrutiny is AMD' FirePro V8800 2GB. Even though this card is not the fastest card on the professional market, it comes with one significant advantage over its green competition: true multi-display support. While even the latest Quadro boards drive only two displays, FirePro V8800 can drive four displays at the same time.

Cypress GPU ticks at 825MHz, which is only 25MHz less than the Cypress chip powering the consumer board [HD 5870], while 2GB of GDDR5 memory tick at 1GHz in QDR mode, i.e. 4 GT/s. Memory is downclocked by 200MHz [HD 5870 = 1.2GHz QDR, 4.8 GT/s].


AMD FirePro V8800 2GB laid bare - The board is filled with components with almost no room to spare

The install procedure is very simple: we took the FirePro V8800 apart and while there are no major changes in removing the heatsink, there is one part you have to be very careful about. When you look at the card from the back side, the lower left corner [front of the card] is connected with a screw from inside - thus you need to show a bit flexibility in getting that screw out and liberating the backplate. Thus, you need to remove all the screws from the back, turn the board upside and remove the main heatsink. Unscrew that screw and the backplate will come off too.


Custom PWM Heatsink for AMD Radeon HD 5800 Series does a perfect job with FirePro as well

After that, clean the GPU area from the factory default paste, put the Prolimatech PK-1 thermal compound on the GPU and placed the custom-built heatsink for the V8800 power regulation [identical to consumer Radeon HD 5830, HD 5850, HD 5870 boards].


Tall heatsinks installed on every memory chip [front first, then back]

Next step was installing the heatsinks for the eight front GDDR5 chips, with the ninth heatsink positioned on the power regulator on north west side of the GPU chip. Given that the board features 16 memory chips, MK-13 package will leave one of these tall heatsinks to spare.


Firming the rear mount. Note that you will experience clearance issues with first and last memory heatsinks on top side. Simply position heatsinks a bit higher to avoid any spacing issues

After everything was placed firmly, we positioned the MK-13 heatsink over the GPU and turned the board upside down to place the adapter and firm the heatsink.


Ready for Action: Passively Cooled AMD FirePro V8800 2GB, powered by Prolimatech MK-13