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Silent GPU for $200

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Silent GPU for $200

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xelonth   10-03-2008 at 05:45:45 PM

Hi Guys,

I am a big fan of quite things, got a EAH4870 but in order to keep it cool it had to be way too loud (and going at 60C in my closed tower). So i decided to downgrade to something quiter and i would guess less powerful. I was wondering what GPUs are quiter than the Corsair 650W PSU :P. I dont mind it being a bit loud at high load but not when i am typing in Word (like the 4870). I am willing to invest around $200. Or $150 + Zalman VF1000 cooler if it would help it keep running cooler and quiter.

Thank you very much for your advice!!!

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rodney_ws   10-03-2008 at 05:58:35 PM
- 0 +

Are you sure you're not barking up the wrong tree? You only mentioned your case in passing... does it have decent air flow? If your case is causing your GPU to overheat (and the fan spin up) you may be able to get a new case and keep the high performance card you've got. Why downgrade?

Reply to rodney_ws
xelonth   10-03-2008 at 06:06:48 PM
- 0 +

I actually opened the case up, from both sides, giving excellent air flow, it was at 60C. Sorry, i mean 70C above. It was 70 when the case was closed. When the case is open it was 60C and still a bit loud. Especially due to the fact that the case was open. I tried reducing the fan speed manual until a point that i can tolerate it and the temp started going up. I dont mind having a lower performance if the noise level would be really low.

Reply to xelonth
LunaticWolf   10-03-2008 at 06:20:04 PM
- 0 +

My GTX 260 is pretty quiet when I have it set to Auto, and it Idles at 48C in my case. I would imagine that the GTX280 would be just as silent.

Reply to LunaticWolf
zenmaster   10-03-2008 at 06:35:45 PM
- 1 +

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article870-page1.html

------------------------------ If its good in theory but not in practice,
its not good theory.
 Reply to zenmaster
xelonth   10-03-2008 at 06:47:38 PM
- 0 +

Hi,

Thank you very much for your advice guys.
I checked out the GTX260 card you offered, but is there anything a bit cheper? 200 - 250 thats good?

Reply to xelonth
geofelt   10-03-2008 at 07:03:44 PM
- 0 +

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article821-page7.html
ASUS EN9600GT

Read through that web site. Silent is one thing, quiet is another.

Reply to geofelt
dirtmountain   10-03-2008 at 07:08:33 PM
- 0 +

Arctic Cooling Accelero1 will fit the HD4870, it's cheap and it works, use a 120mm fan as shown in this article by hardwarecanucks (shown is installation on a 4850), but will fit the 4870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186016
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/for [...] ew-24.html

from a newegg review, some slight modding may be needed
"Pros: overclocked my HD4870 to the max. ATI Overdrive settings of 800/1100, idle temps are 51c, load temps max. 68c, this is with the Turbo-module fans attached to the HS.
Had no problems with the RAMsinks sticking
installation isnt too bad.
I recommend using toothpicks to keep the washers in place, and then drop the heatsink over the toothpicks, once in place, remove toothpicks.

Cons: not completely compatible as stated on AC site.
VRM heatsinks do not fit !

Other Thoughts: product arrived pretty damaged, shipping box was a mess.
bent fins on the heatsink, the plastic AC endcaps wont stay on because of it. Had to manually straighten them
was pretty upset by this "


Message edited by dirtmountain on 10-03-2008 at 07:12:44 PM
Reply to dirtmountain
xelonth   10-03-2008 at 09:45:36 PM
- 0 +

I am still thinking to switch to nVidia due to lower power consumption. Perfromance is not on the top of my priority list. Plus it would be more than what i wanted to spend anyways. So i would downgrade to something slower from nVidia.

And when i said silent, i meant quite. I didnt think there was such a distint difference between the two.

Reply to xelonth
Sus-penders   10-03-2008 at 11:31:57 PM
- 0 +

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814125237

 

Guaranteed to be SILENT all the time. Quieter than the Corsair 650w ;)

 


Message edited by Sus-penders on 10-03-2008 at 11:33:29 PM
Reply to Sus-penders
Rwayne   10-03-2008 at 11:43:25 PM
- 0 +

You may want to try HIS's 4850. It only produces 21 Dba of sound.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/Rwayne/iceq4.jpg

However if you already have a 4870 I think I would just find a 4870 approved aftermarket cooler for it. As another poster said "Why downgrade?"


Message edited by Rwayne on 10-03-2008 at 11:46:17 PM
Reply to Rwayne
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