Quiet 670 SLI in a R4, or am I daydreaming?

[Sherlockwing]

Hi, I am attempting to build a SLI Gaming Rig while limiting the noise level:

Goal is to maximize Gaming performance on a 120Hz ASUS VG278H while remaining quieter than the open air alternative such as Corsair 500R/, CPU is i5-3570K, will OC CPU and GPU when necessary.

Here is the setup(second card coming in a month later):
Define R4 $109.99(Big fan of the R4)
EVGA 670 FTW $407.99
140mm fan 3X $21.5(Bottom intake,, Rear exhaust, top exhaust. ), 2 stock 140mm are 67 CFM/15-19dba(moving the original rear exhaust to front intake)
Fan type: XIGMATEK CLF-F1454 : 60CFM/16Dba
PH-TC14PE $75.00 my 4X4G Vengence low profile at 26.25mm/1.03" fits fine under it, no clearance issue with the case either.
Total $614.5

2X Front intake,1X Bot intake goes to the fan controller, Rear and Bottom exhaust goes to the Mobo header

To explain the fan set up in more detail:
The 2 stock 140mm fan will be located at the front intake, I 140mm intake mounted at the bottom infront of PSU, the exhaust fan are located at the rear and the top rear fan mount.

The overall set up would be like this picture(borrowed from here), except the Cooler will be a bit taller(still fits), I would have the 2 extra fans(bottom intake and top exhaust), the mobo will be Z77 instead of Z68(both ASrock Extreme 4)

Total Fan CFM count, 2X 67 CFM +1X 60 CFM intake, 2X 60 CFM + 1/2 Blower GPU exhaust.

Mounted on a Standard length slim(12"X8.6") ATX board: ASRock Z77 Extreme 4(support SLI), there is another PCI slot inbetween the 2 PCI3.0 slots so the GPU won't be right next to each other.

PSU Seasonic X850 Gold.

Reason I picked FTW is that its blower style means the top GPU won't heat up the bottom one. Also my bottom mounted fan would be blowing straight into its fan/radiator with Windforce/PE I might need a more open air case and a side exhaust fan to prevent them heating up the rest of the Mobo.

So,Is this set up good? If not where I need the improve? (the GPU? or Cooling? or maybe I should get a more open air case and give up Noise control with the R4?)

Reason I picked R4 beside noise reduction:
1.Front and bottom Dust Filter(must have for me)
2. 4 Front USB port(didn't like 500R's only 2 restriction)
3. Fan controller(can adapt to any fan, unlike 500R only work with stock).
4. Arctic White don't cost me extra.

 

[Piano Man]

Honestly, I think we share some of the same goals. However, unfortunately, I haven't seen a single 670 blower card that isn't "loud" to me. And its not just the volume, but the timbre of the sound that is a problem.

Your case seems to have very nice internals for good airflow. I know you want blower, but if you cherish quiet, might I suggest the ASUS DCUII 670s.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121637

Those puppies are extremely quiet. Your Phantek would be louder than those.

 

[Sherlockwing]

Honestly, I think we share some of the same goals. However, unfortunately, I haven't seen a single 670 blower card that isn't "loud" to me. And its not just the volume, but the timbre of the sound that is a problem.

Your case seems to have very nice internals for good airflow. I know you want blower, but if you cherish quiet, might I suggest the ASUS DCUII 670s.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121637

Those puppies are extremely quiet. Your Phantek would be louder than those.

I do like Dc2 "not Top" but the stock clock sounds blah to me at that price, If I am paying a $20 premium on cards I rather pay for the custom OC than a backplate.
My back up option is either the Gigabyte Windforce 3X or MSI PE, leaning Gigabyte b/c not sure the difference between the cards is pure silicon lottery luck and I seen Gigabyte running cooler and quieter(plus no need to file for rebate).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125423

My biggest problem with the Custom Fan types is that majority of their hot exhaust(espically the ASUS DC2) stays inside the case, I probably have to have a side panel exhaust fan(60CFM might not be enough for this) to pull the hot air out to keep the bottom card cool.

 

[Piano Man]

I do like Dc2 "not Top" but the stock clock sounds blah to me at that price, If I am paying a $20 premium on cards I rather pay for the custom OC than a backplate.
My back up option is either the Gigabyte Windforce 3X or MSI PE, leaning Gigabyte b/c not sure the difference between the cards is pure silicon lottery luck and I seen Gigabyte running cooler and quieter(plus no need to file for rebate).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125423

My biggest problem with the Custom Fan types is that majority of their hot exhaust(espically the ASUS DC2) stays inside the case, I probably have to have a side panel exhaust fan(60CFM might not be enough for this) to pull the hot air out to keep the bottom card cool.

Up to you, but you wont' find quieter than the ASUS.

 

[Rvenger]

You would probably want the 670 on the 680 reference PCB if you were to go with a blower cooler. They are quieter with much less mechanical noise.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Watercool

 

[MoInSTL]

The overall set up would be like this picture(borrowed from here.

If you are going to borrow a picture of my set up, at least use one that is a bit tidier.

This build is still in progress.

EDIT: The bottom fan mount is going to be very tricky as it requires a lot of cable management.

Check your cooler measurement. CPU coolers up to 170mm tall.

 

[aigomorla]

There is no such thing as daydreaming..

if you have the funds... you can make it happen.

Watercool

^ lol... yup..

how much noise do you think these guys make compared to there fan counter parts?

however... as i said it will COST YOU.

 

[lehtv]

I'd return the FTW's, they will not be quiet without watercooling. The reference EVGA 670 is compatible with Arctic Cooling Twin Turbo II, and with a slot apart, you can fit two of them in SLI. Such a setup would be very quiet at full load... the Twin Turbo II is a superb cooler. But also very heavy; you might be able to use EVGA's reinforcing backplate along with the Twin Turbo II.

 

[Sherlockwing]

I'd return the FTW's, they will not be quiet without watercooling. The reference EVGA 670 is compatible with Arctic Cooling Twin Turbo II, and with a slot apart, you can fit two of them in SLI. Such a setup would be very quiet at full load... the Twin Turbo II is a superb cooler. But also very heavy; you might be able to use EVGA's reinforcing backplate along with the Twin Turbo II.

Except A the Turbo II are very expensive and B they take up so much space I am not sure if I could SLI with them. I haven't ordered the any of the parts I existed except the Mobo yet.

If I have to go for a Custom Cooler solution I'd rather use the Gigabyte Windforce 3X, the problem is figuring out how to manage their SLI airflow in an R4 so that the top don't heat up the bottom and everything else.

 

[lehtv]

Except A the Turbo II are very expensive

You bought a Seasonic X850, so obviously you're fine with paying a big premium for quiet operation.

Except the Twin Turbo II isn't even expensive at all, onlyhttp://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=63764&vpn=DCACO-V540000-BL&manufacture=Arctic Cooling $38. It's much better than Gigabyte windforce.

They take up so much space I am not sure if I could SLI with them.

You could, they take slightly less than three slots each.
http://www.bjorn3d.com/Material/revimages/coolers/Accelero_Twin_Turbo/221.JPG
http://www.arctic.ac/en/p/cooling/vga/375/accelero-twin-turbo-ii.html

Featuring the CrossFire and SLI compatibility the users benefit from the optimized performance of a multi-VGA setup.

 

[Sherlockwing]

You bought a Seasonic X850, so obviously you're fine with paying a big premium for quiet operation.

Except the Twin Turbo II isn't even expensive at all, only $38. It's much better than Gigabyte windforce.

You could, they take slightly less than three slots each.
http://www.bjorn3d.com/Material/revimages/coolers/Accelero_Twin_Turbo/221.JPG
http://www.arctic.ac/en/p/cooling/vga/375/accelero-twin-turbo-ii.html

Actually No, I am not fine with paying a big premium for the same performance I can get at a cheaper price. The Windforce 3X cost the same as the reference card(399.99). I am already paying a premium for FTW(+8) and now adding $38 for the custom cooler and these cost are 2Xed when I SLI, plus voiding my warranty by tearing my card up and install the Custom Cooler, No thanks.

 

[sanityvoid]

You don't void your warranty by taking your cover off and replacing the fans. One of the excellent things about EVGA is they still cover you if do this.

I also have a EVGA and you could buy a water cooling unit for the 670 FTW.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186067

Or some people claim you can get a H60 to work and you just need a fan for the memory.

I have a 670 FTW too and the damn thing is loud, but I knew this going into buying it, but I did anyway as I wanted a GPU that actually exhausted heat not put it in my case.

If you are going to buy another 670 or return the 670 as mentioned, why not just get one 690 that exhausts (price wise they are the same or close considering the other mods you are thinking of to make your 670x2 work)?

Those are you options I'm afraid.
http://redirect.anandtech.com/r?url...duct.aspx?Item=N82E16835186067&user=u00000687

 

[Sherlockwing]

You don't void your warranty by taking your cover off and replacing the fans. One of the excellent things about EVGA is they still cover you if do this.

I also have a EVGA and you could buy a water cooling unit for the 670 FTW.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186067

Or some people claim you can get a H60 to work and you just need a fan for the memory.

I have a 670 FTW too and the damn thing is loud, but I knew this going into buying it, but I did anyway as I wanted a GPU that actually exhausted heat not put it in my case.

If you are going to buy another 670 or return the 670 as mentioned, why not just get one 690 that exhausts (price wise they are the same or close considering the other mods you are thinking of to make your 670x2 work)?

Those are you options I'm afraid.

Nah, if that's the option I grab a Thor V2 for 103.99 right now on Newegg and screw the noise increase. I am not going to pay the $250 extra to get a 690 when 670 SLI are only 5% worse.