Sonnet Crescendo Performance Decrease?

[BeniD82]

Hi Guys,

Just another question, this time in regard to my Crescendo G3/500 card. I've noticed in the past couple weeks that when I perform benchmarks my CPU performance rating appears to be dropping especially if used for longer periods of time. Hard to explain, but after initial start I usually get a rating of ~1600 in MacBench (this used to be my usual rating), but as I proceed the rating keeps dropping (~1500 to ~1200). I keep checking the temperature which usually idles at 48 - 50 Deg C (about 55 Deg C under heavy load) which is the normal temperature range. What could cause this? I've had this card for years so could it be that the thermal material failing (I think it's using some type of tape rather than paste), but if it did, why is the temperature still reported as the same?

If I have to replace the termal compound, could something like ArcticSilver be used or will it have to be a thermal tape again? I'm kind of iffy about messing with the Crescendo considering how much it has cost back when I purchased it... just wanted to get some input before I do anything to it...

- BeniD82

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Have you called Sonnet yet?

They've always been very helpful whenever I've wanted information about their products, for both pre-purchase and after purchase tech support.

 

[noidentity]

Wow, 55 C? My Sonnet G3/400 PCI card barely gets above room temperature in my 8500 (around 28 C maximum). I know they used copper-based G3 chips in some boards, to reduce temperature.

 

[Byrd]

If you plan on replacing the thermal material, definately remove all that is there now - peeling off the thermal tape, cleaning the heatsink and core fully before reapplying some good quality paste again. Overheating could be a reason why it's slowing down, I'd also check your backside cache speeds and that the extension is loading properly at startup.

JB

 

[MacJunky]

But now that if it came with a thermal pad, you need to keep using a thermal pad! Be sure to match the thickness. (tape is fairly sticky, pad is not.(well, a liiitle bit..but not enough to hold stuff on properly.))

It is more likely they used a thermal pad, actually. Since the heatsink has other means of mounting(screws) and it is rather big. Normally tape is only used on small stuff like ramsinks.