Is your video card the loudest part of your system?

[tracerit]

I'm using an XFX 8400 GS video card and the fan on it is the loudest part of my system. It's not loud, but makes the most noise. Prior I had a Radeon 9000 AGP that just had a heat sink on it and loved how quiet the whole system was. Realizing that the 8400 GS is a crap video card, I bought an 8800 GT (still shipping from Dell). I'm expecting the 8800 GT to have a louder fan just because it's a better card.

 

[tracerit]

I'm now actually thinking about just getting an 8600GT with a heatsink (no fan). I don't game too much, and when I do, I don't need to play in the highest resolution.

How are future video cards going to be? Will they require less power (less need for louder fans?) like CPUs?

 

[Elcs]

The 8800GT fan isnt that loud at 25% to 45%, it is drowned out by my Stock AMD Fan which runs at 25%.

If you want an 8800GT power, I suggest looking at Anandtechs review of a Sparkle? Fanless 8800GT. Runs very hot but an undervolted fan would take the edge off that.

Either way, the 8800GT produces a lot of heat and most likely will help fill your case with hot air.

 

[trOver]

sparkle passive cooler ftw

 

[LOUISSSSS]

no my 8800gt fan is loud, but my 2 x delta 120x38 3200rpm fans are louder?

 

[Ika]

I tune my 8800GTS fan to 60%, which is the point where it becomes inaudible in my system. I'm not sure what part of my system is loud, though, because I tuned my CPU fan to the point where it became inaudible and my Yate Loons are inaudible as they are... I guess it might be the PSU?