HELP: I have three requirements in my search for a new video card

1) it must have dual-DVI output
2) it must be passively cooled
3) it must be under $150

My system is absolutely silent except for my loud-as-fvck Mad Dog GF4 MX4400. The fan on it is a real piece.

What's a good passively cooled dual-DVI video card? I found this one at Newegg, but if there are better ones, feel free to let me know.

 

[Matthias99]

I'm pretty sure that is, in fact, the only dual-DVI card available under $150, so by definition it's the only choice for you.

You can also get passive (or very, very quiet) coolers for almost any video card, although replacing the stock cooler voids the warranty.

 

Originally posted by: Matthias99
I'm pretty sure that is, in fact, the only dual-DVI card available under $150, so by definition it's the only choice for you.

You can also get passive (or very, very quiet) coolers for almost any video card, although replacing the stock cooler voids the warranty.

Oh? How would I go about doing that (I've never 'modded' anything before, will I end up breaking stuff? )

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: Matthias99
I'm pretty sure that is, in fact, the only dual-DVI card available under $150, so by definition it's the only choice for you.

You can also get passive (or very, very quiet) coolers for almost any video card, although replacing the stock cooler voids the warranty.

Oh? How would I go about doing that (I've never 'modded' anything before, will I end up breaking stuff? )

Um, you buy the new cooler, remove the old one (it's usually held on by some springs/pins/retaining brackets), and install the new one.

It's pretty easy; not much harder (but slightly more involved) than replacing a CPU cooler. Of course, you always run the risk of breaking something, and you lose your warranty. If you search, I'm sure you can find zillions of threads about it. "VGA Silencer" and "Zalman" might be good terms to start with.

 

[2Xtreme21]

AGP or PCI-E? The card you linked to is PCI-E, fyi.

 

[Peter]

There's a dual-DVI Radeon 9600pro from H.I.S., not fanless but fairly quiet, and then there's still the Matrox P650 - old chip, low performance, high price, but dual DVI from a fanless chip.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Just use a Zalman vf-700Cu on silent.

 

Originally posted by: Matthias99

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: Matthias99
I'm pretty sure that is, in fact, the only dual-DVI card available under $150, so by definition it's the only choice for you.

You can also get passive (or very, very quiet) coolers for almost any video card, although replacing the stock cooler voids the warranty.

Oh? How would I go about doing that (I've never 'modded' anything before, will I end up breaking stuff? )

Um, you buy the new cooler, remove the old one (it's usually held on by some springs/pins/retaining brackets), and install the new one.

It's pretty easy; not much harder (but slightly more involved) than replacing a CPU cooler. Of course, you always run the risk of breaking something, and you lose your warranty. If you search, I'm sure you can find zillions of threads about it. "VGA Silencer" and "Zalman" might be good terms to start with.

Sounds easy enough.

If you had to choose though, would you choose this or the from Newegg?

 

[Rankor]

You can consider this.

Matrox P-650 AGP 4x/8x with passive hs and dual dvi.

 

[hans030390]

do you plan on gaming?

 

Originally posted by: hans030390
do you plan on gaming?

No. Except for the occasional round of Counterstrike. But nothing graphics-intensive.

 

[IeraseU]

I say go with the 6600 you originally found on Newegg. It seems to meet all your requirements, and its an easy solution which will not require any modding.

 

[Steve]

H.I.S. 9600

Newegg had it in stock very recently, in fact pricewatch still thinks they do, and I just showed the working link to it to somebody here (I think) last week or so.

 

[Keysplayr]

TO THE OP!!!! You keep linking to cards that are PCI-E. You obviouslyl have an AGP or maybe even a regular PCI card in your MX440.

If you purchased the cards your linking to, you will have to change out your motherboard.

Do you acknowledge this!?

You need an AGP card most likely as I think the only GF4MX PCI cards were the 420's.

 

[Keysplayr]

This would be the very cheapest Dual DVI AGP card that will allow you to play occasional counter strike available at newegg. 6600GT Dual DVI AGP And yes it has a fan, sorry.

The only other option would be that Matrox mentioned above. But I don't know how good it will be for CS.

 

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
This would be the very cheapest Dual DVI AGP card that will allow you to play occasional counter strike available at newegg. 6600GT Dual DVI AGP And yes it has a fan, sorry.

The only other option would be that Matrox mentioned above. But I don't know how good it will be for CS.

Yeah, I need an AGP card (my current MX4400 is AGP).

Thanks for the links.

 

[Fardringle]

That Matrox card has great 2D ability, but would not be able to play Counterstrike at any acceptable level. Based on your requirements, I would recommend the 6600GT that keysplayr2003 mentioned.