Do you prefer Open or Closed design GPU's?

[Yukicore]

So yeah, which type do you prefer, and why?

Here is an example. (just in case)

Open design

Closed design

 

[chimaxi83]

Custom or reference, you mean? I prefer custom. Lately I've leaned toward reference for water cooling purposes, though.

 

[Yukicore]

You can say that, but I am kinda new to this and I didn't want to risk it, in case there are reference cards that are based on open design. So I just used Open and Closed variants.

 

[motsm]

The closed coolers are always too loud for me, and I don't see my self ever buying one unless there is no other option.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I don't have a preference either way. Generally, I go for whatever balances noise levels with temperature the best.

 

[blastingcap]

The OP is misleading because it is not an either/or. There are some "open" (technically, axial) designs that cool WORSE than reference/closed designs, such as the XFX DD :
http://www.hardware.fr/articles/853...950-asus-his-msi-powercolor-sapphire-xfx.html

There is also a long history of non-reference cards using better or worse hardware than reference. Some custom cards are better than reference, while others skimp and use cheaper, worse parts, whether heatsinks or capacitors or worse voltage regulation or whatever.

If watercooling or crossfire, closed is often better (the former because reference is standardized; and crossfire with two open cards next to each other may be problematic depending on the spacing), else many open designs may be quieter or cooler depending on the design.

I also object to the "open" vs "closed" terminology. It is axial vs radial fans, not "open" or "closed."

As always cost is a factor so depending on how cards are priced and what the quality of the underlying GPU, memory, VRMs, PCB, etc., I can go either way. Axial vs radial fans is just one of many factors to consider.

 

[Corporate Thug]

I prefer the GPU w/ the best bang for the buck....don't care about open versus closed.

 

[blackened23]

I prefer custom cards. MSI is my favorite.

 

[fleshconsumed]

For every video card I've purchased in the last 10 years starting with 6800GT I have had to install aftermarket cooler because they've been too loud under load. And even the ATI8500LE I had before it, I removed the fan from the card because it was so annoying. Sure the card ran hot, and in the end after three or so years it started artefacting, but by that time I was ready to upgrade anyway. Most of the other cards I've had since then I had Accelero S1 installed on them.

Accelero S1 is my darling of aftermarket GPU coolers. It costs only $30 and can cool even the hottest cards with minimum of noise. My latest card HD7950 has accelero S1 installed with two 800rpm 12cm fans strapped to it. I can stress 100% GPU load with synthetic benchmarks and the load temperature still stays under 74 degrees Celsius. And with fans running at 800RPM the card stays near silent. The only downside is that the whole thing takes up extra 2.5/3 slots, but IMO that's a worthy trade off for how cheap S1 sells for, how good it cools, and how quiet it is.

 

[AdamK47]

Closed. They do well in CrossFire / SLI when the cards are next to each other.

 

[JohnnyChuttz]

Closed. I'd rather the hot air be blown out of the case.

 

[greenhawk]

closed, just to get the heat from the system and not re-sucking it back in again.

that being said, you can still have crappy closed designs so best avoided.

in short, high end cards I get I go closed, for lower end, I go open (partly as single slot cards and closed suck for air exit designs).

 

[MiRai]

Closed. They do well in CrossFire / SLI when the cards are next to each other.

Closed. I'd rather the hot air be blown out of the case.

closed, just to get the heat from the system and not re-sucking it back in again.

I'd have to agree with these replies.

 

[Avalon]

Don't care as long as the cooler performs well.

 

[SPBHM]

I always keep my case without the side panel, so blowing the air directly off is not a priority... so... it doesn't really matter, my current VGA have a open design... it's easier to clean I think.

 

[Greenlepricon]

I would say open. Shrouds are a little louder a lot of the time, and because my case has good airflow I don't mind hot air being blown out the side, so they tend to cool better for me. I can make the argument for a shroud, but to me personally they aren't quite as effective.

 

[Barfo]

The OP is misleading because it is not an either/or. There are some "open" (technically, axial) designs that cool WORSE than reference/closed designs, such as the XFX DD :
http://www.hardware.fr/articles/853...950-asus-his-msi-powercolor-sapphire-xfx.html

There is also a long history of non-reference cards using better or worse hardware than reference. Some custom cards are better than reference, while others skimp and use cheaper, worse parts, whether heatsinks or capacitors or worse voltage regulation or whatever.

If watercooling or crossfire, closed is often better (the former because reference is standardized; and crossfire with two open cards next to each other may be problematic depending on the spacing), else many open designs may be quieter or cooler depending on the design.

I also object to the "open" vs "closed" terminology. It is axial vs radial fans, not "open" or "closed."

As always cost is a factor so depending on how cards are priced and what the quality of the underlying GPU, memory, VRMs, PCB, etc., I can go either way. Axial vs radial fans is just one of many factors to consider.

Listen to this guy, he bolds his text so it must be true.

 

[Siberian]

Open, so I can clean the card.

 

[Fallengod]

I agree. Usually closed shroud cards are nosier in my experience. I run an MSI hawk 5770 with two open fans. The things are dead quiet at idle, even with two. On top of that, its nicer to have it open for cleaning purposes. Closed cards tend to have only one fan and be louder.

To some degree, it really doesnt matter. It kind of depends on what video card model it is and design.

 

[blastingcap]

I have nothing useful to say

Let me know when you have anything to add to this thread. If you can't attack the message attack the messenger, I guess.

 

[Yukicore]

So.. 30% people prefer closed design cards because they blow the air straight outside, it of course results in a more quiet computer because you have no need as much fans to keep the air flow trough the case, this also results in less dust being collected into the PC.

It's a good tactic, but you have to take a look at MSI cards, they keep very cool with their fans, difference is about 10 grades in Celsius, which by itself increases the lifespan by about half a Year, at least. But some also have some aftermarket parts which increase lifespan and decrease noise.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Best board that has a full cover block available for it. Typically that means reference designs.

Yes there are blocks for some really high end stuff (lightning, DCU II, etc), but at that point cost is getting out of hand.

 

[Qbah]

Open. Noise > all for me.

 

[Maximilian]

Closed, i like the warm air to be blown out in winter, helps heat the room

 

[Yukicore]

Closed, i like the warm air to be blown out in winter, helps heat the room

But it's not good enough reason to cook your graphics card...

It's like buying a car for racing and for comfort. It just doesn't work together, the car won't be good for either. You have to buy one car for racing and one for comfort. Same for this situation, buy a heater and a cool card. : P