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Gigabyte WindForce GTX580 3GB any good? No information on this card.

O

oblisk

Junior Member
I've been searching to buy a GTX580 3GB for my 2560x1600 setup, and it came down to either the $550 Zotac GTX580 3GB or the $600 MSI N580GTX Lightning Xtreme Edition 3GB. I was falling towards the cheaper Zotac, but it has a stock cooler, and I was going to get an aftermarket cooler for it anyway. So the $600 MSI N580GTX looked attractive.

Then I found out about Gigabyte's GTX580 3GB with Windforce HSF

I tried finding reviews for this online.... But I did not find any. Clearly, this 3-fan Windforce HSF must be better than the stock fan, right? Maybe even better than the MSI one?

Does anyone have any more info/benches/temps/etc on this Gigabyte GXT580 3GB?
 
If it's just a gaming machine, then the Gigabytes look good. If you're in the habit of using every slot in your case, like I am (NIC, Ceton, SAS), then reference is what you want (Zotac & EVGA)....

You should keep in mind that the Zotac and EVGA (stock) coolers remove hot air from your case, instead of contributing to it, which contributes greatly to your CPU overclock... that Gigabyte will contribute to it, as will the three-slot Zotac.

On an H100 Push-Pull, I noticed a few degrees difference between the different EVGA GTX570 models alone. One was the "HD" with the 9" GTX560 body and displayport, and one was the long-body (reference). The Long-body nV cooler was better (cooler) every time.

If you want Balls-Out performance, right-this-f**king now, you should be looking at a few Sapphire 6950 Toxics, for the price of one of the cards you're looking at.

The only easy day was yesterday,
Daimon
 
Note: The reason I recommended the stock coolers isn't just for their rear-exhaust. I don't buy cards which will have air-flow problems with other shit, as in just about anything that extends beyond the end on an x1 slot.
 
OP:

For the most part, a GTX 580 is a GTX 580. The biggest differences are how well the coolers are designed, the reference cooler bites the big one (IMO) -- some boards use aftermarket coolers. I don't know about the gigabyte specifically, but the galaxy GTX 580 is excellent as it uses a *fantastic* cooler that is not noisy even at full fan speeds. The reference fan is ridiculously noisy at 70% and up, I can't stand it.

Yes, also like someone else said get a card with rear exhaust. The asus GTX 580 has a gigantic cooler but it vents the air out into your case, which is quite ridiculous. This is why i'm a big fan of the galaxy GTX 580 -- it vents air out of the back and has the accelero aftermarket cooler. Its a hell of a value.

Also, i've read *many* stories of the MSI GTX 580 using old parts. Not all of them are affected, but many MSI GTX 580 users are reporting GTX 470 fans on their product. If you weren't aware, the GTX 470 fan is a pile of crap.....i'd personally avoid MSI because of this -- you might get a cheap fan and you might not. Luck of the draw.

Unfortunately I don't have any experience with the gigabyte specifically 🙁 let us know if you find something out.
 
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I have a Windforce 570 with 3 fans and its the coolest, quietest card I've owned. I was also concerned that heat dumped into the case rather than exhausted out may be an issue but fortunately it hasnt been with me. There has been no case ambient or CPU temp change since my last card, a stock cooled 470. Of course your mileage may vary depending on case air flow. Meanwhile cards fans rarely go above 40% and idle/load temps are 33/68c. The WF 580 should be similar. From my experience with this, I will never buy a reference cooled card again.
 
blackened23 said:
the reference cooler bites the big one (IMO)
Click to expand...

You must have had a bad experience with the stock cooler, as mine have been pretty cool & silent. On the other hand, I generally chose coolers that leave ~7" of clearance for another card, so I'm probably biased.

Daimon
 
Well, I use 2560x1600 and I think the 3GB will be worth it.

Also, I plan on going SLI down the road if I do get one of these, and I do hear the Windforce can be problem with SLI...
 
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