I need a quiet card

[tjcinnamon]

My Radeon 1550X is not cutting it, it's way too loud.

Anyone have any recommendations for a solid, quiet card between $100-$175? Minimal gaming, some video editing, PCIe.

Thannks,
JOe K.

 

[idiotekniQues]

minimal gaming = what games

 

[shangshang]

here's what comes to my mind:

- if you're ok with a dual-slot card, then go with the NV 8800GTS 512mb. This card runs very quite due to its big but low RPM fan. It's whisper quite.
($160 after $30 rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814143119
($129, open box item, no rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16814127325R

- if you don't mind a little disassembling work, then get the AMD 4850 and an aftermarket passive cooler Accelero S1 Rev2 (about $30-$35). This requires a bit more work and probably will void your warranty, but it's a little faster than the 8800GTS 512mb in gaming, but since you only do minimal gaming, then just get the 8800GTS.
($158 after $30 rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121253
($169 after $20 rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814129112
Don't forget to add the price of the Accelero cooler if you truely want a quite AND cool running card. This is almost a must for the 4850. Otherwise, expect the stock fan of the 4850 to be pretty loud when the temperature ramps up.

If you want a cheaper solution, around $100, there are cards there too, like the 8800GTS 320mb, or 8800GS, or any of the older AMD HD 2xxx series card. I don't know these lower cards too well, but I'm sure they're cheaper. But keep in mind that these cards here are at least a generation older, and they do run slower, and if they're the single-slot type, then their fans are most likely going to run loud!

IMO, if you don't care for gaming much, I would get the MSI open box item above for $129, without any rebate to deal with. Newegg's open-box item are pretty reliable. If you're ok with tinkering with hardware, then the 4850 + Accelero combo is nice deal but will go over your $175 budget a little.

Also, if you can wait a month, then wait, because prices will drop more then since Nvidia will be realeasing their newer card around Aug. 22nd, and since NV and AMD are in a price war, I expect some more price drop, but the drop will be more for those cards costing well over $250. The 8800GTS 512mb probably won't see any more drop, and 4850 can go a little lower, maybe $20 lower, but don't expect much more drop for these two cards, so heck if you can't wait, then just go ahead and get them now.

 

[Bateluer]

There are a multitude of silent cards available, though usually in the low end to midrange spectrum. As others have said though, you can always use an after market cooler to provide silent cooling, usually at the cost of your warranty though.

Also, silent running cards tend to run very hot due to their passive cooling, as well as take up a second slot worth of space. Make sure you not only have at least a second slot of space, but also some additional space to allow air flow.

 

[idiotekniQues]

the sapphire toxic 3870 i can vouch for as being very cool and quiet - the cooler on there is single slot and top quality. i just sold mine but you can find them new well within your budget range.

 

[tjcinnamon]

I was actually thinking of going with a visiontek 3870. Is with a ZeroThem cooler coming stock.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814129100

Is there any reason why I shouldn't go Visiontek over Sapphire?

 

[idiotekniQues]

your choice is probably better. visiontek has the best warranty.

id go with what you linked over my recommendation

 

[nyker96]

maybe find a nvdia 8400 series low end that has poassive cooler on would do just what you ask and be very silent as well.

 

[Denithor]

EVGA 8800GS FTW

Practically silent -- I can run one in a case with the side off sitting beside me on the desk return (directly at head level when I'm seated) and cannot hear it at all.

And the guys over at techpowerup have the same thing to say about it -- and lots more concerning the overall performance of the card. Check it out.

There's usually some great deals on these EVGA 8800GS cards, I've gotten two at $80 and $73 after rebates within the past few months.

 

[james1701]

I would pick up either an 8800GT or 8800GTS G92 core and add an Accelero S1V2. If your case does not have great airflow, then add the 9 dollar fan kit with it. You can pick up both cards for about 110 now with rebate, sometimes cheaper if you look around. Add 29.99 for the cooler and you have a silent, and very potent video card.

 

[tjcinnamon]

I ordered this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814129100

and this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130332

which one performs better? I'll put that in my better machine?

 

[Denithor]

You ordered both? Why exactly?

The 3870 will probably have a slight edge in performance but is drastically overpriced, you can get a 4850 for the same price after rebate with about 40-50% higher performance.

Or you can get this Asus 8800GT with upgraded cooling for $120AR.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: idiotekniQues
minimal gaming = what games

Yeah, still not sure what games = minimal.

If nothing to taxing, most of the recommendations here are overkill, and an entry-level/budget card with passive cooling (and minimal heat production anyway) could be fine.

 

[tjcinnamon]

WoW - so maybe that is not minimal

 

[Denithor]

WoW depends much more on your CPU + RAM than GPU unless you are running really high resolutions. I run WoW at 1920x1200 on an e8400 + 4GB RAM paired with a 256MB 8800GT and see 60 (vsync limited) nearly everywhere except in heavily populated cities (Shatt mainly) where it may dip to 30-40 range. I used to run at 1280x960 on an x1900gt and it stayed 60fps everywhere which is why I think at higher resolution the GPU actually does make a difference.

Basically if you run on a typical 19-20" LCD you'll be fine with an 8800GS/3870/8800GT as long as the rest of your system is adequate (dual core with 2GB memory). If you run higher resolutions you probably want to go with a 4850.

 

[tjcinnamon]

The 3850 I ordered because it had an aftermarket fan that was at least worth $30 and it wouldn't void the warranty which is life time. After the rebate its 140 and after the fan it's 110.

I RMA'd the 8800GS and got the GT with fan. Thanks for the tip on that one. It was a little more money but will be worth it.

the ultimate barometer for each card was Hackintosh compatibility. I suppose I could have ordered the same cards but that wouldn't have been as fun.

Do you think the 8800GT is better or the 3870?

Thanks again for the tip.

JOe K.

 

[Denithor]

8800GT 512MB average of 15% faster than 3870

These benchmarks should answer your questions. Now just figure out which will work in your box and which is quieter and enjoy some WoW goodness.

BTW what server do you play on? I have Alliance toons on Crushridge and Horde newbies on Darrowmere.

 

[tjcinnamon]

Thanks for the tip.

I'm not sure. It's actually my girlfriend who plays (she's a keeper). I make electronic music and edit videos, so I don't think these cards will be too advantageous unless some VJ software can take advantage of them.

I'll show her this post. I think she's looking for a new guild. She's level 47, I think. Is your character name the same as you anandtech profile name?

 

[Spook]

combine with Rivatuner, and keep it nice and quiet, by controlling the fan % at different heat levels....

 

[tjcinnamon]

My old cards didn't have fan speed control. I'm sure these do. I'll give RivaTuner a shot. WoW actually froze last night.

I have another question posted elsewhere, but I am not getting a response and perhaps the people monitoring this one will know:

I have my CPU timing and FSB set. q6600 9X333 ---- stable

RAM (pc8500 dominator) at 3.2 5:8 ratio to get 1066 MHz and the timings to 5-5-5-15.

If I am only changing the RAM timings and speed then is the only voltage I need to change the DDR voltage?

If the voltage is too low will I get errors in memtest or will the OS not boot or BSOD?

If its too high will I get errors in memtest or BSOD?

Thanks,
JOe K.