Quiet and effective (low temp) *stock* coolers for mid range graphics cards?

[TheAdvocate]

... in honor of the dead HSF on my 9800GT...

I'm looking at cards like the 6870 and 560ti... Lots of comments about "this card runs cool" or "quiet", but the evidence is so subjective...

Anyone have a stock cooler that they feel does a particularly good job at keeping their (upper) midrange card cool & quiet? What are you comparing it to?

I've notied that a few of the manufacturers make multiple versions of the same gpu, based primarily on the cooling solutions... what works, and what is just an overpriced gimmick?

 

[Arkadrel]

Since you mentioned 6870 and the 560ti.

Looked up 6 cards on TechPowerUp for you.


MSI Radeon HD 6870 HAWK
noise idle: 26 dB
noise max: 35 dB (in silent mode setting = 31 dB)
idle temp: 40c
max temp: 62c (winner)

HIS Radeon HD 6870 Turbo
noise idle: 30 dB
noise max: 42 dB
idle temp: 49c
max temp: 83c

PowerColor HD 6870 PCS+
noise idle: 27 dB
noise max: 29 dB (winner)
idle temp: 38c
max temp: 85c

------------------------------------------

MSI GeForce GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr II
noise idle: 25 dB
noise max: 39 dB
idle temp: 30c
max temp: 61c (winner)

Palit GeForce GTX 560 Ti Sonic
noise idle: 27 dB
noise max: 37 dB (winner)
idle temp: 38c
max temp: 73c

ASUS GeForce GTX 560 Direct Cu II
noise idle: 26 dB
noise max: 40 dB
idle temp: 33c
max temp: 65c



The least noisy cards are:

Palit GeForce GTX 560 Ti Sonic: 240$ after MIR on newegg.
37 dB, tiny bit faster than 6870 (+5% or so). Uses ~240 watts under max load.

PowerColor HD 6870 PCS+: 205$ after MIR on newegg.
29 dB, tiny but slower than 560ti (-5% or so). Uses ~156 watts under max load.

 

[TheAdvocate]

Thanks for the reply!

Was also looking at the Asus 3 slot cards.

e.g. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121432

Pretty much kills the possibility of SLI, but if its cool and quiet, it's interesting.

That's a whole other price point though. Doesnt look like the price has been dropping much on it either.

 

[Arkadrel]

@TheAdvocate

TechPowerUp has a review of that one too.

ASUS GeForce GTX 570 Direct Cu II: 320$ after MIR on newegg
noise idle: 28 dB
noise max: 31 dB
idle temp: 36c
max temp: 64c



320$ with rebates, is kinda pricy but its a good cooler, ofc its 3slot, so you wont ever be able to SLI it (downside). The upside is its like +25% faster than the cards above.

Value wise.... 6870 ~205$ vs this 570 ~320$

Is not good value, your paying more than 50% extra, and getting like 25% extra performance only.

 

[s44]

Gigabyte WindForce

Seriously, both cool AND quiet.

 

[Spikesoldier]

Gigabyte WindForce

Seriously, both cool AND quiet.

this and maybe msi twin frozr. i also like sapphire vapor-x.