8600 without fan

[Ergonpandilus]

Is it safe to run 8600GT without fan, only with cooler sink? I have this old noisy 8600 GT that I'd like to put as dedicated PhysX card, but I hate how it makes noise. What is the safe level with the heat it can manage? 80'C?

[packerfan]

Some googling sounds like 80C is a good place to aim for, 100C is when the card starts to slow itself down.

Underclocking a bit is always an option as well to get it to run cooler.

If the cooler has any plastic shroud bits on it I would take those off to allow more "ambient" (if you will) air flow to cool it down (currents from intake and outtake fans).