Here is the card without the stock cooler - notice I've aligned the RAM fins pretty much the same way...
The Mac Pro's airflow is all “sideways”, so you'll get better cooling this way. Use alcohol, then eraser, then alcohol to get off the wax layer!
Notice I tried to evenly space the fins on the right between rows of the regulators - again, trying for maximum cool. HOLD EACH DOWN FOR 30 SECONDS.
Yup, I took off the paste they pre-applied. If you can, I would.
Here's how much Arctic Silver 5 I used - here's a tip, spread it with your finger inside a baggie or plastic wrap, tight against your finger.
Here are the “newer” support clips that the manual shows as completely different. Way to go, guys.
Notice only the bottom two screws are in at this point - the transparent spacers are stuck to the cooler below the card.
See that rightmost heatpipe? Watch it - you don't want to touch the pipe to that RAM heatsink.
Front view - I'm going to chance it without the turbo module and see if the Mac fan can cool it OK. I think it will.
It comes with 4 spacers that provide a good mating area for the copper plate - use the OUTER HOLES.
Here it is installed - go ahead and remove the other slot covers on the left, why not? You need airflow, right?
I threaded the power cable through the rack there in the back so that it wouldn't run into anything. Your choice.
I think this will be an excellent cooling solution, and so far, it's worked beautifully. $30 at Newegg.
