Current gen vid card noise levels?

[def4106]

Hey guys I'm bulding the following build:

CPU: Intel Core i7 920
MOBO: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2
RAM: OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
Power supply: PC Power & Cooling - 750W
Case: Cooler Master HAF 932
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive -OEM
DVD Drive: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM
CPU Cooler: XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V


I'm trying to decide on a video card to put in the build and I'm looking for a quiet video card that is powerful. I had bought a evga ssc 8800gt and I had to set the fan profile to change based on tempature - which got pretty loud at times - drove my girlfriend insane.

I game in 1680x1050 so I know I don't need top of the line as far as cards go... but I was looking into getting a evga ssc 260/216 but then read how users where setting up custom fan profiles and having a "blowdryer" in their computer for noise levels.

So what are the quiet vid cards out there now?

 

[zerogear]

Completely passive ones, but they generally lack oomph. There are a few 9600GT passive cooling ones out there.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: def4106


I game in 1680x1050 so I know I don't need top of the line as far as cards go... but I was looking into getting a evga ssc 260/216 but then read how users where setting up custom fan profiles and having a "blowdryer" in their computer for noise levels.

So what are the quiet vid cards out there now?

You'll have a blowdryer in your computer, only if you want your card to be oced to the max, or by adding some extra volts on the gpu.

Usually, at stock settings cards should be quiet enough to not annoy your girlfriend.

 

[smackababy]

My 260 is almost silent until I get it up to around 80% fan speed. But I game at 1920 x 1200.

 

[s44]

Accelero S1 is your friend

 

[error8]

S1 doesn't work on GTX 260

 

[Mech0z]

Does a S1 work on 4870 1Gb?

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: Mech0z
Does a S1 work on 4870 1Gb?

Yes, but you will have issues about cooling the vrm chips. You'll have to buy a special heatsink like this: http://www.zalman.com/ENG/prod...oduct_Read.asp?idx=335 and I don't know if it even fits under the S1.

 

[yacoub]

Originally posted by: zerogear
Completely passive ones, but they generally lack oomph. There are a few 9600GT passive cooling ones out there.

Nah, those are actually generally a bad choice because they almost always run super hot and unless you have a perfect case ventilation setup and ambient temp, you're going to overheat it.

 

[smackababy]

You could always put the GPU on a WC loop. That would be silent and much cooler than any fan.

 

[s44]

Originally posted by: yacoub

Originally posted by: zerogear
Completely passive ones, but they generally lack oomph. There are a few 9600GT passive cooling ones out there.

Nah, those are actually generally a bad choice because they almost always run super hot and unless you have a perfect case ventilation setup and ambient temp, you're going to overheat it.

The Accelero dropped my 8800GT temperature -- at idle -- a dozen degrees. The thing barely budges at full load. I do have a very low-spinning 120mm fan ziptied on (mostly for the naked VRMs).

Obviously the 4870 produces more heat, but you'd be surprised at how good these things are.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Why not just buy the best card you can afford and control the fan with Rivatuner or something? I have been doing that with my last 2 cards, 8800GTX and now my 4870.