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Looking for quiet. Anyone know dB levels for Radeons?

A

Alkaline5

Senior member
Why is it that you can never find sound output ratings for video cards? Most manufacturers don't list this info and neither do most reviews unless the noise is FX5800-level or worse.

I'm getting ready to replace my GF3, but afraid of ending up with another card that approaches 40 dB. The 9600 Pro Ultimate looks like my best choice for total silence, but has anyone heard specific info on the fans for a 9600XT or 9700 Pro?
 
It's quieter than the stock AMD fan, if that helps at all. (Old stock for Palomino processors) - that's for a 9800 fan.
 
They make 9700/9800 Pro Ultimates as well (or you can buy the heatpipe coolers direect from Zalman and mount them on any card -- much cheaper). I've never heard a review mention the fans specifically, so I would assume they're no louder than an "average" video card -- 30dB? Totally random guess, but it shouldn't be that loud.
 
Good find, QAGuy. According to Tom's, the 9800 Pro reference heatsink runs at 47.5 dB. That's actually the quietest of the 3 Radeons that he tested, including a non-reference 9600 Pro. Based on that frightening figure I'm really considering the Zalman HS. Thanks all.

 
Originally posted by: Alkaline5
Good find, QAGuy. According to Tom's, the 9800 Pro reference heatsink runs at 47.5 dB. That's actually the quietest of the 3 Radeons that he tested, including a non-reference 9600 Pro. Based on that frightening figure I'm really considering the Zalman HS. Thanks all.
Click to expand...

His review is wrong, trust me. I have heard 40-50dB fans and they are WAYYY louder then the Radeon 9700 Pro. I speak from personal experience. 🙂

-Por
 
You're right, Por. On further inspection Tom's test does seem a little off. He lists 35-50 dB as "inconspicuous to quiet", so something is definitely strange there. His assessment matches yours using that standard, though.

I also noticed an iteresting ASUS ad while I was there. These are some nice looking driver features.
 
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