Best passively cooled video card on the market

[dds14u]

After dealing with a whiny fan on a 9800pro I've decided I don't want to deal with fans on a video card. I've done some searching and found the Gigabyte 7600GT that's passively cooled @ Newegg here http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814125025.

My questions is...are there any higher end cards that are also passively cooled?

 

[postmortemIA]

9800 pro had a terrible cooling solution. But not all cards are like that. don't be silly.

 

[Rage187]

pretty sure there are passivley cooled 7800GT's and 7900GT's.


Edit: Passive cooled 7950GT

 

[40sTheme]

If you want great performance, get the XFX 7950GT XXX Edition. It's clocked at 610/1600, and it runs at or above the level of a 7900GTX (although this is recorded by a review of the card; may not be completely trustworthy, it's at least close). The only issue I see with this one is that you better have a well-cooled case. There are other XFX passive solutions of the 7950GT, though.

 

[daveybrat]

XFX Geforce 7950GT passively cooled

Here's a great card for the money.

 

[xboxist]

My HIS IceQ x1900xt is super quiet. Compared to my previous 6800GT, which sounded like a Boeing taking off.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: xboxist
My HIS IceQ x1900xt is super quiet. Compared to my previous 6800GT, which sounded like a Boeing taking off.

But that isnt passive,

As above 7950GT is best passive (stock)

However if you want to slap on a aftermarket u can make a X1950XT 256 mb passive

 

[ethebubbeth]

I'm currently in the market for a 7950gt (my 7800gt just crapped out on me) and am wondering how over-clockable the XFX passive version is.

Anybody perchance have such knowledge? If not, I'll go start drudging through reviews.

 

[dds14u]

Good finds although more people seem to have heat issues with the 7950gt. It may keep me from getting that since my case doesn't exactly have the best airflow.

Wonder how far video cards will get before they can't be passively cooled anymore...I've always wondered about this.

 

[xboxist]

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: xboxist
My HIS IceQ x1900xt is super quiet. Compared to my previous 6800GT, which sounded like a Boeing taking off.

But that isnt passive,

As above 7950GT is best passive (stock)

However if you want to slap on a aftermarket u can make a X1950XT 256 mb passive

Oh, sorry. I guess I fail to understand what "passive" means in this case. I bought the card, took it out of the box, installed it and am running it at default settings. And it's super quiet.

EDIT: n/m... I guess it just means "fanless"?

 

[ArchAngel777]

Originally posted by: xboxist

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: xboxist
My HIS IceQ x1900xt is super quiet. Compared to my previous 6800GT, which sounded like a Boeing taking off.

But that isnt passive,

As above 7950GT is best passive (stock)

However if you want to slap on a aftermarket u can make a X1950XT 256 mb passive

Oh, sorry. I guess I fail to understand what "passive" means in this case. I bought the card, took it out of the box, installed it and am running it at default settings. And it's super quiet.

EDIT: n/m... I guess it just means "fanless"?

Yes, that is what it means.

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: ethebubbeth
I'm currently in the market for a 7950gt (my 7800gt just crapped out on me) and am wondering how over-clockable the XFX passive version is.

Anybody perchance have such knowledge? If not, I'll go start drudging through reviews.

Probably don't want to overclock a fanless 7950. It's pretty much at the comfortable limit at stock, unless you have excellent airflow.

 

[xboxist]

Well now my curiosity is peaked. Why would one want a passively-cooled card? Any particular reason? Just wondering since my card is virtually silent, with a fan. I think my PSU fan is louder than my GPU fan.

 

[a123456]

Originally posted by: xboxist
Well now my curiosity is peaked. Why would one want a passively-cooled card? Any particular reason? Just wondering since my card is virtually silent, with a fan. I think my PSU fan is louder than my GPU fan.

Noise mainly and the removal of a point of failure. Fans are moving parts and die after a while from dust, general decay, or other things. If it's heatsink only, that's one less thing that can die.

 

[dds14u]

Originally posted by: a123456

Originally posted by: xboxist
Well now my curiosity is peaked. Why would one want a passively-cooled card? Any particular reason? Just wondering since my card is virtually silent, with a fan. I think my PSU fan is louder than my GPU fan.

Noise mainly and the removal of a point of failure. Fans are moving parts and die after a while from dust, general decay, or other things. If it's heatsink only, that's one less thing that can die.

That and you can't get more quiet than no fan at all.

 

[Matt2]

Originally posted by: xboxist
My HIS IceQ x1900xt is super quiet. Compared to my previous 6800GT, which sounded like a Boeing taking off.

Your 6800GT sounded like a Boeing taking off?

I guess my X1900XTX sounds like a space shuttle launch. Houston, I think I have a problem!

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: Matt2

Originally posted by: xboxist
My HIS IceQ x1900xt is super quiet. Compared to my previous 6800GT, which sounded like a Boeing taking off.

Your 6800GT sounded like a Boeing taking off?

I guess my X1900XTX sounds like a space shuttle launch. Houston, I think I have a problem!

Yep, same here. It scares my rabbit who is the same room as my PC.

Doesn't bother me though, let's me know it's working

 

[BFG10K]

Yeah that XFX 7950GT looks like a very nice piece of equipment. If I was in the market for passively cooled cards I'd be getting one.

 

[Netscorer]

For passive cooling solution you may try Aerocase Condor GPU heat sink (link). There was a very good article on silentPCreview.com with installation instructions too (Superquiet Superclocked DIY Core 2 Duo System)

 

[Ranulf]

Originally posted by: daveybrat
XFX Geforce 7950GT passively cooled

Here's a great card for the money.

Anyone have opinions on this card? What are its physical dimmensions?

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Ranulf

Originally posted by: daveybrat
XFX Geforce 7950GT passively cooled

Here's a great card for the money.

Anyone have opinions on this card? What are its physical dimmensions?

I have had the XFX 7950GT 550/1400 version since early October o/c'ed to 600/1600 and it runs like a champ.

50C idle temp / 64C load while running 3DMark06

So far I am extremely impressed with the cooling on this card. It's roughly 8" in length and the silver finned heatsink is 1.5" tall and 3.5" wide.

 

[secretanchitman]

there is an xfx 7950GT that is passively cooled...

you could just slap on an nv silencer on a card (or an ati silencer). would that be any good for you?