High end GPU without unbearable noise problems?

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shadyshabby

Member
Jun 29, 2009
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So I am in the market for a new Graphics card (amongst other things) ...

I have noticed that the 4890 not only has a loud vacuum sounding fan, but also that it emits a rather disturbing ringing noise that gives people migraines.

Well, I then decided to take a closer look at the 285gtx (even though it is possibly slightly out of my desired price range). Found out that this is also very loud and also runs extremely hot.

This leads me to my question. Why on earth would I be stuck in this position ? You are telling me that in order to enjoy high level video editing /gaming, I need to bear with noises comparable to a pack of stampeding elephants (and shreaking vultures in the case of the 4890) ?

The 4890 really matches or exceeds all of my requirements in a graphics cards, besides the fact that it squeels like an angry mule.

I am a novice, so bear with me when I ask :
Is there any 4890 on the market that doesn't have any noise issues ? I am willing to pay extra. I have heard ALOT of different solutions to go about fixing the problem, but none of them seem to be concrete and I don't want to spend days of my time trying to deduce the problem, especially when I do not have delicate hands (I will probably crack the card in half trying to tweak something).

/rant off

Thx again !
 
I

Itchrelief

Golden Member
Dec 20, 2005
1,398
0
71
The squealing, unfortunately, also seems to be an equal opportunity gremlin. I have a 4890 and a 9800GTX+. Both squeal. It's not an ATi only thing.

The squealing/ringing/beeping type noise isn't really noticeable above the fan noise at full tilt, unless you're specifically trying to hear it :p. The first time you hear it, you almost think it's coming from the next apartment over (I'd say house, but depending on your wealth, it may be hard to hear any noise from mansion on the 10-acre lot next door).
 
C

Creig

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,170
13
81
Originally posted by: shadyshabby
So I am in the market for a new Graphics card (amongst other things) ...

I have noticed that the 4890 not only has a loud vacuum sounding fan, but also that it emits a rather disturbing ringing noise that gives people migraines.

Well, I then decided to take a closer look at the 285gtx (even though it is possibly slightly out of my desired price range). Found out that this is also very loud and also runs extremely hot.

This leads me to my question. Why on earth would I be stuck in this position ? You are telling me that in order to enjoy high level video editing /gaming, I need to bear with noises comparable to a pack of stampeding elephants (and shreaking vultures in the case of the 4890) ?

The 4890 really matches or exceeds all of my requirements in a graphics cards, besides the fact that it squeels like an angry mule.

I am a novice, so bear with me when I ask :
Is there any 4890 on the market that doesn't have any noise issues ? I am willing to pay extra. I have heard ALOT of different solutions to go about fixing the problem, but none of them seem to be concrete and I don't want to spend days of my time trying to deduce the problem, especially when I do not have delicate hands (I will probably crack the card in half trying to tweak something).

/rant off

Thx again !
Click to expand...

Unless you have the hearing of a bat, I don't know where all this is coming from. (migraines?) I have a 4890 and have no complaints regarding sound levels. If you were to manually ramp the fan up to 100% I imagine it would probably be pretty loud. But I just use the factory settings and noise levels are perfectly acceptable to me.

I've had motherboards/video cards that had inductor squeal while running certain programs/games, but my 4890 doesn't exhibit any.
 
BFG10K

BFG10K

Lifer
Aug 14, 2000
22,709
3,000
126
In my experience, high frequency transistor noise is more prevalent on nVidia 2xx parts than ATi 4xxx parts, but ATi parts can also experience it to a lesser degree. Usually reducing the workload (such as framerate caps or vysnc) can reduce the noise.

Or you can wear headphones when gaming, like me. :p
 
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machineheadg2rr

Junior Member
Apr 11, 2009
17
0
0
I remember reading a review, of one of the current ati cards. They had an xfx and a sapphire card. They complained of the xfx fan noise and noted that the sapphire was pretty quiet. Maybe try the sapphire card?
 
yh125d

yh125d

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2006
6,886
0
76
Another vote for third party cooler. I have an accelero S1 and a scythe musashi both. The accelero is a slightly better performer imo, but I was using 92x25mm fans on it vs 100x12mm. However the scythe still perform very well, and it a lot thinner, about the same thinkness as the stock cooler. Whereas the Accelero with two 25mm fans will take up the two slots under your video card
 
yh125d

yh125d

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2006
6,886
0
76
Yes the 4890 is louder. But does that matter really? The OP is thinking about fan noise before he even gets the card, so likely any high end card will be louder that he'd like. He'd probably end up getting an aftermarket cooler for a GTX275 just the same

Two pages later in that same review the author explained the noise differences, nvidia going for a slower fan but higher GPU temp combo, vs ATI's higher fan speed and lower temps.
 
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alcoholbob

Diamond Member
May 24, 2005
6,365
433
126
My solution = PC in a closet with an open case and plenty of case fans.

That said my closet is a over twice as big as most closets so your mileage may vary.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
I think the best bet for very low noise levels with high end cards would be to liquid cool them.

If you don't feel up to the task of doing your own liquid setup or replacing stock fansinks with aftermarket units, there are alternatives... I can't talk about them for maybe another few weeks. ;)
 
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brandonb

Diamond Member
Oct 17, 2006
3,731
2
0
Loud with high end just comes with the territory.

If you don't like it, don't buy high end. I bought the 4850 and got the aftermarket cooler and I don't hear a thing, but the 4850 is not exactly high end (anymore).

I won't buy high end video cards anymore because they suck power, give off alot of heat, and sound like jet planes. No thanks. I'll live with midrange.
 
Qbah

Qbah

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2005
3,754
10
81
I have a HD4870 with an Accelero Twin Turbo on it. Granted, it is not dead quiet, however it's quieter than the stock fan - a lot. With a lot lower temps (the stock fan was unbearable for me above 34% - and temps high 70C... ). Recently I perma-glued some heatsinks (kinda extreme, but hey :p) on the VRMs, the two fans of the Accelero TT are running at 7V and the temps are really nice (plus I underclocked my card) - it's around 45C now with ambient in the high 20s (hot summer!).

I have several Nexus fans in my case all running at dead-silent speed (~6V). The only thing I can hear now is the Accelero TT - however even low volume music makes it impossible to hear it. Unless it's dead silent outside, I can't really hear anything from my rig - which I am happy about.

Final point, get an aftermarket cooler :D The Accelero S1 should fit on almost any card - just make sure you have sufficient VRM cooling. Put two 120 low noise fans on it (like Nexus or Noctua at ~5-6V) and you'll be happy. Just make sure you get a model that fits and that you have enough room in your case.
 
Wreckage

Wreckage

Banned
Jul 1, 2005
5,529
0
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Other than EVGA and I think BFG, installing an aftermarket cooler will void your warranty.
 
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shadyshabby

Member
Jun 29, 2009
40
0
0
I did some research and I found the technical term from the sound (which I think somebody mentioned earlier) is "Harmonic Distortion."

Is there a particular brand I should avoid in terms of avoiding this effect ? Someone suggested sapphire earlier in this thread but that seems to be the card that gets most of the harmonic distortion complaints (according to newegg and tomshardware forums).

Pls help if you have any experience with the cards and have some wisdom on the matter. You could save me countless hours of research !
 
PJABBER

PJABBER

Diamond Member
Feb 8, 2001
4,822
0
0
Lifted from my Hot Deals thread -

The Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4890 TOXIC AND the Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4890 Vapor-X are both on sale at Ewiz.com this week.

Let's see if I can get the two parts fully identified first.

The wickedly overclocked Sapphire ATI Radeon HD4890 TOXIC first for $208.08:

Specifications
o Mfr Part Number: 100269TXSR
o Chipset: Radeon HD 4890
o Engine Clock: 960 MHz
o Video Memory: 1GB DDR5
o Memory Clock: 1050 MHz, 4.2 Gbps
o Memory Interface: 256-bit
o Bus: PCI-Express x16 (Support PCI-Express 2.0)
o RAMDAC: 400 MHz
o Connectors: Dual DVI; TV-out (HDTV ready)
o Thermal: Dual Slot Vapor-X Cooler with Heatpipes
o Support ATI CrossFireX Technology
o Support HDMI via adapter
o Support Microsoft DirectX 10.1, Shader Model 4.1
o 500W Power Supply recommended, 600W for ATI CrossFireX technology
o Package: Retail

The more mildly overclocked Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4890 Vapor-X for $209.99:

Specifications
o Mfr Part Number: 100269VXL
o Chipset: Radeon HD 4890
o Engine Clock: 870 MHz
o Video Memory: 1GB DDR5
o Memory Clock: 1050 MHz, 4.2 Gbps
o Memory Interface: 256-bit
o stream processing: 800
o Bus: PCI-Express x16 (Support PCI-Express 2.0)
o RAMDAC: 400 MHz
o Connectors: Display Port, HDMI, DVI, VGA
o Thermal: Dual Slot Vapor-X Cooler
o Support ATI CrossFireX Technology
o Support Microsoft DirectX 10.1, Shader Model 4.1
o 500W Power Supply recommended, 600W for ATI CrossFireX technology
o Package: Retail

Vapor-X pricing only includes free shipping! You pay shipping for the Toxic.

1. Apply $15 off $100 store coupon FIREWORKS15 (expires 7/9/09)

2. Apply 5% Bing.com cash back

Gets you a net price of $183.43 + shipping for the Toxic and a net price of $185.24 (free shipping) for the Vapor-X.

To get the 5% cash back you must first register and log into Microsoft's Bing.com (formerly Live.com) shopping/cash back site.

Bing.com Shopping

Go to the list of participating merchants, find and click through to SuperBiiz. This will bring you to Ewiz.com and you can find the Sapphire 4890s here:

Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4890 Toxic $208.08 @ Ewiz.com

Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4890 Vapor-X $209.99 @ Ewiz.com

:cool: May offer quieter and/or better overclocking potential with the Vapor-X cooling solutions. The Toxic is already getting close to the limits of air cooling I think.

There have been a few questions on the AT Hot Deals forum as to whether the vendor has an adequate stock management system, but it does seem as though they do warehouse the items they offer for sale. Since the card just went on sale you have a good chance of getting one right away.
 
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poohbear

Platinum Member
Mar 11, 2003
2,284
5
81
jebus $183 for an overclocked 4890 WITH aftermarket cooling?!?!? man i gotsa move to america!!!! wish we say deals like that in canada.:( that's just ridiculous.

edit: i noticed they ship internationally, shipping to canada is only $94.01. good thing i'll use that 5% discount!;)
 
Qbah

Qbah

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2005
3,754
10
81
Originally posted by: poohbear
(...)j
edit: i noticed they ship internationally, shipping to canada is only $94.01. good thing i'll use that 5% discount!;)
Click to expand...

You can get a HD4850 for those 94$ ;) Probably only in the US too :p

 
Keysplayr

Keysplayr

Elite Member
Jan 16, 2003
21,209
50
91
OP, I'd consider water cooling if noise bothers you so much. I don't even know how you guys can hear any fan noise while gaming. Unless you play without sound?
If the fans are noisy constantly, even in 2D apps, then I would say go for a water cooling system.
 
H

Hardlin

Senior member
Aug 27, 2004
226
0
71
Keys, that's what I was thinking.

A water cooling solution would be the best way to keep sound down.
 
error8

error8

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2007
3,204
0
76
Originally posted by: Keysplayr
OP, I'd consider water cooling if noise bothers you so much. I don't even know how you guys can hear any fan noise while gaming. Unless you play without sound?
If the fans are noisy constantly, even in 2D apps, then I would say go for a water cooling system.
Click to expand...

His gentle ears will be deranged by the sound that the coils make under load, so water cooling can't solve his problem.
He needs to put the computer into another room so that there will be a perfect silence while gaming without sound.
 
M

McRhea

Senior member
Apr 2, 2001
221
0
0
Originally posted by: error8
Originally posted by: Keysplayr
OP, I'd consider water cooling if noise bothers you so much. I don't even know how you guys can hear any fan noise while gaming. Unless you play without sound?
If the fans are noisy constantly, even in 2D apps, then I would say go for a water cooling system.
Click to expand...

His gentle ears will be deranged by the sound that the coils make under load, so water cooling can't solve his problem.
He needs to put the computer into another room so that there will be a perfect silence while gaming without sound.
Click to expand...

LOL. That made me laugh.

Shadyshabby, just how sensitive ARE your ears? Maybe try turning the sound up when you play or while doing 2D stuff? Even opening your windows a tad more may add enough background noise so you won't hear the harmonic distortion. Another option is to get one of those "white noise" machines if you have super sensitive ears... it'll drown out all the other "smaller" noises in your room, and it's kind of soothing too.

Anyway, I have a 4890 in an Antec P182 case (granted, the case is known for its sound dampening), and can't hear the card in any of my games over my sound, which isn't turned up all that high anyway. My windows volume slider is all the way down at the bottom, at 5% most of the time, with 10% volume being the max. I leave the fan at stock speeds at all times, so it will ramp up when it needs to (while gaming), but I never hear it at all. Oh, and my comp sits right to the side of my desk on the floor.

I would try louder volumes and a white noise device before I started looking for a different card. Or get a better sound dampening case... Or just move your case like other have suggested... Headphones would work too...
 
C

ChronoReverse

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2004
2,562
31
91
I notice the squealing too and it's pretty noticeable for quiet sections of games and sometimes even when it's not that quiet. It's the reason I don't fold anymore on my GTX260 because the whine is annoying.
 
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