Looking NVIDIA card that is cool, quiet, and has low power comsumption

[unseengundam101]

I am looking a NVIDIA card for new PC build to replaced my dead computer. The card has to be under $200 shipped/tax included. I am trying to build a computer with good performance but still has low power computer, heat, and noise. I am casual gamer and am not looking for anything with super high performance. Main reason I want NVIDIA only is because I had bad experience ATI cards in Linux and even in WinXp.

Any suggestion would be helpful! Thanks!

 

[edplayer]

9600GT

Great card for a casual gamer. Low power requirements. Under $100 shipped

More powerful cards cost more and use more power.

 

[edplayer]

Here is one example:

MSI N9600GT 512MB OC 700MHz core, 1900MHz memory

$65 after a $30 rebate and free shipping

 

[FalseChristian]

The 9600GT is a piece of crap if you want satisfactory performance in games. Grab a 9800GT which'll cost you under $200 tax and shipping included.:thumbsup:

 

[a123456]

Well technically you can get a GTX 260 for under 200$ shipped. I guess it's a personal call if you feel it uses too much power since you didn't list your specs of your current computer. The stock cooler is pretty good and doesn't make much noise below 40% fan speed. The tier below that is probably the 9800 series. I don't really have much experience with it but I'm sure it runs cooler and uses less power.

What resolution do you use?

 

[Keysplayr]

What are your system specs going to be? CPU, motherboard, monitor size, Power Supply.
What are you planning on?

 

[betasub]

200 bucks goes a long way in terms of performance, but it sounds like OP would prefer to sacrifice some of that raw performance for better cooling and lower power draw. 9600GT may be enough for a casual gamer (low power requirements, passive-cooled models available). Keys' point is good: more info on system and usage (gaming/multimedia/screen size) would help OP get a better-tailored recommendation.

 

[Leyawiin]

MSI GTX 260 from Newegg. The GTX 260 is very power efficient for such a strong card. At idle its downright thrifty. Plus the reference cooler is very effective and quiet. I have one in a case with open mesh panels and I can't hear it over the 120mm Scythe case and CPU fans even during heavy gaming.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127361

There's also a $20 rebate good through December. Newegg doesn't list it, but you can print it up at any other retailer's site.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/rebate/msi_120108_th_07.pdf

Considering performance, power efficiency and quietness you can't do better for $179.99 imo.

 

[NXIL]

Hey T,

Newegg Power Search!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...Category=48&GASearch=3

And no, I do not work for Newegg; wish I did, actually.

Desktop video cards:

230 max price (captures some cards that will qualify with rebates, etc)

Nvidia only

PCI 2.0 to go with that new motherboard!

To start I checked "fanless", one of the last choices, gets you a very quiet card, since there is no fan; you said you did not need super gaming power....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...CodeValue=2953%3A18921

One of the 9600GTs?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...5098%2CN82E16814125097

Gigabyte again...no, I do not work for them either....wish I did.

FalseChristian says the 9600GT sucks, and, I do not have one, so I can't comment on that, or whether or not it will fit your light gaming needs.....

You can run the Newegg search changing over to "with fan", which does give you many more options.

HTH

NXIL

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Here is your silent video card for $100 after rebate. For lower power and heat just underclock it.

 

[edplayer]

Originally posted by: FalseChristian
The 9600GT is a piece of crap if you want satisfactory performance in games.

You have no idea what you are talking about

 

[unseengundam101]

I didn't post a new build specs since it still isn't fixed yet 100%. I am going to do new build now for main computer and probably in 1 year do another new build. I will be plan same vid card when I do my next build, especially if it cost close to $200.

Here it will look probably:

Intel E8400 (not overclocking it)
MB: undecided, S775 obviously
RAM: 4 GB (2GB x 2) (speed undecided, probably pick something cheap)
Old PSU: Antec 430w Earthwatts (will UPGRADE if needed)

I will be keeping my current monitor: Acer AL2216W. I usually run desktop at 1280x1024. Note max resolution is 1680x1050 though.

And YES, I am willing to GIVE UP raw performance for better cooling/quiet and lower power draw. Like I said am a very casual gamer.

So far the 9800GT looks good. The 260 looks kind of big, might just too much power for me. This one for from newegg goes for $109:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121268

What do you guys think of that? Any more suggestion or comments? Thanks for the help!

 

[unseengundam101]

I just wanted to add my old DEAD system info. I was 4 year old system with OK card, I am very sure anything I build will beat it easily. Here my old/dead system specs:

AMD 3400+ S754 newcastle
MSI Neo Platinum MB
ATI x850 Pro 256 MB (AGP)
1.5 GB DDR400 Ram

 

[edplayer]

Thats a pretty good deal. If you don't want the game you can sell it and bring your total cost for the card down quite a bit.

If it didn't come with the game I would recommend a brand like eVGA or BFG because of warranty and the good reputation/customer support they seem to have.

9800GT is about 10% faster on average than a 9600GT. Uses a little bit more power also but not a large amount. Both will work fine at 1680x1050. I have the 9600GT (740/1835) with a 1680x1050 display and run most things at full detail (everything at native res.). I don't own/play Crysis. On more demanding games I just turn off AA.

 

[yh125d]

do you game at 16x10 or the 12x10 your desktop is?

If you game at 12x10 a 9600gt should be plenty enough grunt for a casual gamer. Just don't expect to be cranking out crysis at max settings.

If you game at 16x10 it'd probably be good to pick up something a little more powerful. ala 9800gt/gtx/4850 for an ATI alternate in the ~$150 range, but spending $200 for casual gaming shouldn't be necessary

 

[edplayer]

Originally posted by: thureen
I will be keeping my current monitor: Acer AL2216W. I usually run desktop at 1280x1024. Note max resolution is 1680x1050 though.

I have never run my monitor at any res apart from native. Doesn't 1280x1024 look kinda strange? Its a 5:4 ratio and your monitor is 16:10. Have you tried using 1440x900? That is 16:10 so everything should look proper

 

[taltamir]

i second the GTX260 recommendation, while its max load power can be a bit high, its idle power is the lowest around (lower than the 4850, the 9800GT, etc). it is just really really efficient.
if it is too much money, go for a 9800GT or a 4850 with an improved heatsink/fan (the default design is crap)

 

[unseengundam101]

Originally posted by: edplayer

I have never run my monitor at any res apart from native. Doesn't 1280x1024 look kinda strange? Its a 5:4 ratio and your monitor is 16:10. Have you tried using 1440x900? That is 16:10 so everything should look proper

Somehow got used to 1280x1024 resolution for desktop. I liked to have 1024 height at least, but 1680x1050 is too small, hurts my eyes. I did try the 1440x900 for awhile, but that didn't work well when I remote desktop into my work PC (1280x1024 4:3 monitor at work). I actually telecommute more often than game, so having my home PC match my work PC goes nicely.

Now for gaming, I set to whatever seem comfortable/playable. Some of the older games I ran at max resolution because it can handle (1680x1050), some of other just at 1280x1024.

I did look at some GTX 260 vs 9800 GT/GTX review. Looks like the power/heat depends on review. The GTX 260 is indeed faster than the 9800, though I think GTX 260 will probably break the $200 mark.

Any more link to specific vid cards that meets my requirement? Probably, will only order next week after my MB/etc is set.

 

[xxTurbonium]

Originally posted by: FalseChristian
The 9600GT is a piece of crap if you want satisfactory performance in games.

This post made me laugh.

Everything is relative. I'm still perfectly happy with my 6800GT, and I am somewhere in between a casual and hardcore gamer. The 9600GT, being significantly more powerful than the 6800GT, should more than fit the bill for the OP.

And there's something to be said for low power consumption and heat production. If more people bought based on their needs, rather than "the biggest and baddest" product possible, the planet would be a much cleaner and healthier place. But that's a whole different argument altogether.

 

[edplayer]

Originally posted by: taltamir
i second the GTX260 recommendation, while its max load power can be a bit high, its idle power is the lowest around (lower than the 4850, the 9800GT, etc). it is just really really efficient.

Didn't know that. Is it lower than the 55nm version of the 9800GT? Is this the 55nm version of the GTX260 you are talking about?


OP, the GTX260 is usually above $200 but I have seen it for as low as $180 (that was without using live cashback). Check the Hot Deals forum regularly.

 

[edplayer]

Here is one for $200 right now with free shipping:

MSI N260GTX-T2D896 OC GeForce GTX

If you can wait a week or two, you should be able to find one for $180 again (might involve a rebate though)

 

[SolMiester]

Originally posted by: edplayer
Thats a pretty good deal. If you don't want the game you can sell it and bring your total cost for the card down quite a bit.

If it didn't come with the game I would recommend a brand like eVGA or BFG because of warranty and the good reputation/customer support they seem to have.

9800GT is about 10% faster on average than a 9600GT. Uses a little bit more power also but not a large amount. Both will work fine at 1680x1050. I have the 9600GT (740/1835) with a 1680x1050 display and run most things at full detail (everything at native res.). I don't own/play Crysis. On more demanding games I just turn off AA.

+1

 

[Denithor]

Your choices:

GTX260 $180
9800GTX $150
9800GT $100
9600GT $70

If you seriously plan to carry this card forward into your next full rebuild (are you talking about it lasting you like 3-4 years here?) I wouldn't recommend anything less than the GTX 260. I had one until last week and they're quite quiet even with the fan bumped up a little to control temps during F@H.

Otherwise that Asus 9800GT looks like a good deal on a super quiet card.

 

[BenSkywalker]

About as quiet as you can get with any performance.

Up to date review using a ref clocked version of the board. The board I linked on NewEgg should be ~10% faster then the default clocked 9600GT.

$85 after rebate, and totally silent with a fairly low power draw(compared to the other boards). Don't know what you are running for a system, but you can SLI these if noise is a major issue for you(there may be a faster passive cooled solution, but if there is I am not aware of it).