Quiet(er) GTX570 or HD 6970.

[adlnc08]

I'm looking for a relatively quiet GTX570 or HD 6970 GPU for a new gaming computer I'm building (i2500-k, Fractal Design Define R3 case). Budget is the very low $300's.

This Sapphire 6970 is $299 after rebate:

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-DL-DV...8206996&sr=1-1

I was also looking this EVGA GTX570 DS for $320 AR at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

And there is this 3 slot monster ASUS GTX570 DirectCU (also $320 AR):

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

I haven't measured yet to make sure that these will fit in my case.

I'm looking for a card that is quiet at idle (i.e. surfing the web). Gaming noise isn't as big a concern but I'm not looking for a jet airliner taking off amount of noise either. I'd prefer a lower pitch noise rather than higher.

Any input on these three choices, or suggestions for others?

Thanks!

 

[spinejam]

If you like quiet & cool -- get the Asus!

 

[tviceman]

The triple slot ASUS cards are supposedly the quietest custom-vendor cooling solution.

 

[adlnc08]

It does look like an amazing card - but is it too big? Some reviews talk about it sagging due to the size/weight. I'd also have to reconfigure my PSU somehow as it needs 1 8-pin and 1 6-pin connector. It's a monster!

 

[3DVagabond]

The Asus is the best card for the money. It'll be quieter, cooler, and it's better built as well. I'm not sure about the double shot, but reference 570's aren't noted for their durability. The Asus 3 slot DCII's are built like tanks though.

 

[NHcarpenter]

It does look like an amazing card - but is it too big? Some reviews talk about it sagging due to the size/weight. I'd also have to reconfigure my PSU somehow as it needs 1 8-pin and 1 6-pin connector. It's a monster!

I just bought that Sapphire & it also needs the 6 pin plus the 8 pin, so it's not just the Asus.

I'd love to say it's great but I'm having an issue (I think it's PSU related - running a four year old 625w with some other fairly taxing hardware).

Here are my own notes on performance between my old 5770 and the new 6970:

FPS 5770 & 6970 comparison:

5770: 6970:
BC2 low: 90s dip to mid 70s -----------------------------------------140
BC2 high: mid 40s dip mid 30's -------------------------------------90
Metro 2033 low: 33 (Dx11, 1920 x 1080, AAA, AF 4x) ----------50
Metro High 2033: 23 (Dx11, 1920 x 1080, AAA, AF 4x) --------43
Metro Very high 2033: 16 (Dx11, 1920 x 1080, AAA, AF 4x)-- 38
BF3 beta low: low30's -------------------------------------------------70s
BF# Beta high: high 20's ----------------------------------------------50s
Space Marine demo jacked: high 60's dips to 40s-------------- -140s dips to 115
AVP predator intro: 240 ------------------------------------------------280
AVP predator tutorial trial: 60 -----------------------------------------130


All resaerch proir to my purchase indicated that, more often then not, the 6970 just slightly outperformed the GTX570 (but by a small margin). The other primary reasomn I went AMD was the 2GB memory would likely be more "future proof".

Hope that helps - NHC

 

[happy medium]

I'm looking for a card that is quiet at idle

Get the cheapest gtx570 you can find. They are all quiet at idle and cheaper than the 6970.

 

[adlnc08]

I just bought that Sapphire & it also needs the 6 pin plus the 8 pin, so it's not just the Asus.

Good to know. I have this PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151095

It looks like I have one 6-pin PCI-E connector free, as well as two 4-pin. Can I just connect the two 4-pin to the 8-pin on the GPU (whichever I buy)?

That's a good point about the 2GB memory on the Sapphire vs. 1.2GB on the GTX570.

 

[adlnc08]

Get the cheapest gtx570 you can find. They are all quiet at idle and cheaper than the 6970.

Well, the Sapphire 6970 I linked above is actually cheaper than the GTX570's I've been looking at (although only by $20 or so).

I guess if I buy one from Amazon I can return it if it's too noisy. I hate to do that though. "Noise" is so subjective anyhow!

I'll keep watching the sales and see if something jumps out at me.

 

[NHcarpenter]

Good to know. I have this PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151095

It looks like I have one 6-pin PCI-E connector free, as well as two 4-pin. Can I just connect the two 4-pin to the 8-pin on the GPU (whichever I buy)?

The one on that link has a 6 & a 6+2 (which is 8) and that is fine. Mind you I am having a power issue with a 625w & yours is a 620w. You need to see what the actual 12v output is on your PSU and what the rest of you system is using. You can run a check with this calculator:

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

And/or check on in the PSU forum here for info.

That's a good point about the 2GB memory on the Sapphire vs. 1.2GB on the GTX570.[/QUOTE]

Well, the Sapphire 6970 I linked above is actually cheaper than the GTX570's I've been looking at (although only by $20 or so).

I guess if I buy one from Amazon I can return it if it's too noisy. I hate to do that though. "Noise" is so subjective anyhow!

I'll keep watching the sales and see if something jumps out at me.

The sapphire is quiet unless you really ramp up the fan. Which BTW is more efficient that the one on my old 5770 and therefore I can run it at a lower speed = quieter.

Just FYI, that price $299 is after rebate, & that takes like 8 weeks to get so don't think it's instant savings. Also the GPU came with a free copy of Dirt 3 even though it wasn't listed as such. little bonus

 

[lavaheadache]

If I were you I would poke my head in the for sale section here and look on the very first page (relevant to right this minute). You will see a very nice zotac Gtx 480 amp edition for $200 shipped. Buy that and don't look back


Edit


OK, I did the dirty work for you. http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2197384

 

[tviceman]

If I were you I would poke my head in the for sale section here and look on the very first page (relevant to right this minute). You will see a very nice zotac Gtx 480 amp edition for $200 shipped. Buy that and don't look back


Edit


OK, I did the dirty work for you. http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2197384

Second'd on the zotac amp card. It will use alot of power, but it is very quiet.

 

[adlnc08]

After doing a bunch more reading I'm leaning towards the EVGA GTX570 Superclocked (not the HD version).

http://www.evga.com/products/moreinf...012-P3-1572-AR

Currently $340 AR on Amazon but I'd like to pay less so I may just keep an eye on it for a bit.

Oh and I'm not interested in buying a used card, but thanks for the suggestion.

 

[3DVagabond]

I wouldn't spend that much for that card. Not when the same thing (different clocks :\) is available for less than $300AR.

 

[adlnc08]

I wouldn't spend that much for that card. Not when the same thing (different clocks :\) is available for less than $300AR.

Care to be more specific? I don't know what you mean by "the same thing (different clocks)."

The least expensive EVGA GTX570 non-HD I can find is $325.00 AR. Superclocked is $15 more.

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Mini-HDMI...8282887&sr=8-2

 

[3DVagabond]

Care to be more specific? I don't know what you mean by "the same thing (different clocks)."

Thanks!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...E14-130-614-TS

All of these cards are the same card. The EVGA Superclocked just runs at higher clocks, 797Core/3900RAM compared to 732Core/3800RAM for the others.

You might prefer EVGA's services like lifetime warranty (The Sparkle card has as well) and their trade up program. That might make it worth it to you. Personally, if I were going to spend more, I'd get a better built card. The Asus DCII or MSI Twin Frozr design.

 

[adlnc08]

You might prefer EVGA's services like lifetime warranty (The Sparkle card has as well) and their trade up program. That might make it worth it to you. Personally, if I were going to spend more, I'd get a better built card. The Asus DCII or MSI Twin Frozr design.

I actually do really like EVGA - have had a number of their cards over the years, and got good warranty service when needed, and also did a trade-up once. I'm not set on going with EVGA though.

Thanks.

 

[3DVagabond]

I actually do really like EVGA - have had a number of their cards over the years, and got good warranty service when needed, and also did a trade-up once. I'm not set on going with EVGA though.

Thanks.

Fair enough. We all have preferences. :thumbsup:

 

[ChippyUK]

Second'd on the zotac amp card. It will use alot of power, but it is very quiet.

I've got the 470 amp card and it's very good at keeping extremely quiet when non-gaming. Ramps up a little in a game, but not much.

 

[lkkgg72200812]

I think gigabyte's three inclined fans is the best fans. it is very quiet and smooth when I do tests or playing games. the heat dissipation and design is better than Asus in my opinion. Just for suggestion ^^a!

 

[Bill Brasky]

It is also worth noting that the gigabyte card uses a 2 slot cooler rather than a 3 slot cooler.

 

[adlnc08]

I actually went with the EVGA Superclocked.. I'll report back on how quiet it is (or isn't!). I was going to wait for the price to drop but in the end the desire to get my new gaming PC up and running won out.