Upgrading MSI GT 430, $100 budget

[jcarole]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Now
BUDGET RANGE: < $100 After Rebates
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: No gaming, no movies, just browsing
CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: MSI GT430, 305W PSU
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: Dell Dimension E520, 3GB
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: None
PARTS PREFERENCES: None
OVERCLOCKING: No SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Don’t know what this is
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 2560x1600
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Must have fan controller…current card doesn’t and I’m losing my hearing!

 

[TDiT]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Now
BUDGET RANGE: < $100 After Rebates
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: No gaming, no movies, just browsing
CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: MSI GT430, 305W PSU
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: Dell Dimension E520, 3GB
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: None
PARTS PREFERENCES: None
OVERCLOCKING: No SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Don’t know what this is
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 2560x1600
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Must have fan controller…current card doesn’t and I’m losing my hearing!

Try MSI Afterburner and see if you can drop the fan speeds; keep an eye on GPU temperatures though.
http://event.msi.com/vga/afterburner/download.htm

Your resolution, 2560x1600 is a bit much for a GT 430, though (no gaming, but still). Might be best to get a "better" card, but your PSU is definitely limited. At 50W, the GT 430 could be replaced with a Radeon HD 6570/6670 without incident. Not much improvement, however, you may be happier with the fan noise.

Good luck!

 

[jcarole]

Thanks for the quick reply. Yeah, tried Afterburner (latest version and even current beta) and it did not affect the fan at all; MSI help board said card doesn't have a fan controller chip.

 

[jcarole]

Best answer selected by jcarole.