@BFG10k/Virge/Keysplayr: ball bearing or sleeve bearing for nv ref boards?

[Anarchist420]

I was wondering, because the eVGA Signature boards actually have dual fans using sleeve bearings. What do the reference blower fans on the 670 PCB use?

 

[blastingcap]

Sleeves won't wear out immediately. But they will. Ball is the way to go if available, for horizontally-spinning fans.

 

[Ketchup]

I don't know for sure, but probably sleeve, as they are cheaper.

But at least they are quieter too.

 

[Anarchist420]

Anyone know for sure?

 

[Anarchist420]

I've been told they were ball bearing by one person, but I want a second source. Perhaps BFG10K would know.

 

[Anarchist420]

Anyone?

 

[blastingcap]

Most likely it's a sleeve bearing fan, VGA cards are semi-disposable, losing so much value so quickly, that it's probably worth it to shave a few bucks off the BOM to go sleeve rather than quality bearing

 

[3DVagabond]

This would be very useful info. Would be good if anyone knew how to find out. (For all cards)

 

[amenx]

I think its sleeve bearing. Because if it was ball bearings they would market the hell out of it and you would probably see big bold lettering on the package that it has that.

 

[amenx]

Heres Zalman VGA coolers:

http://www.newegg.com/Zalman-Tech-Co...at/ID-1647-576

Prominently stated in product name/description that its ball bearings.

 

[Anarchist420]

I thought there was some way to actually find out by looking at the fan, but I could be mistaken. It must be under NDA since BFG10k has contacts with nvidia but hasn't posted in this thread.

 

[RussianSensation]

Chances are by the time the fan on a GTX card wears out from 24/7 100% load use, the card will be too slow for games and you'll be upgrading to something newer. The fan won't fail for at least 3 years. EVGA does not put any premium components on any of their cards besides the Classified. I doubt GTX780 is launching in the next 90 days. At current prices, you could always consider a GTX670 with a good cooler that actually costs less, like the Gigabyte one. The EVGA Signature 670 also seems to be $400 on the Egg. You are essentially paying $400 for a videocard that launched at $400 10 months ago. Seems like a bad time to upgrade, as well as EVGA's overpriced Signature SKU considering you could even get a GTX670 for $300 and an $80 Accelero cooler.

 

[BFG10K]

It must be under NDA since BFG10k has contacts with nvidia but hasn't posted in this thread.

I haven't posted in the thread because I don't know the answer. I have no affiliation with nVidia so I don't send them general questions from forums.

But really, I don’t think the fan type matters in this context. Just get a card with low noise and a long warranty.

If you’re planning to keep the card for an excessive length of time (5+ years), go passive.

 

[Keysplayr]

Whether its sleeve or ball bearings, YMMV as to the longevity of each. They could fail never, or in 3 years, or in 10 minutes. In this regard, it really doesn't matter which bearings are used.

 

[Rvenger]

Except for reference blower coolers, which should be ball bearing.. Hence why the GTX 670 blower cooler is so noisy.

Delta is Nvidia's main OEM for Blower fans http://delta-electronics.industrialpartner.com/products-b/bfb1012l.htm


AMD uses AVC for most that I have seen.

 

[Anarchist420]

Thanks to all who replied.