A quiet but powerful GPU

[Marse]

I'm trying to sort a new build which I want to be quiet but include a reasonably powerful GPU for an Asus P6X58D-E Intel X58.

I've been thinking of a 460/470 or possibly a 5850.

There are many reports of some of the 460/470's varying from loud to insanely loud.
Others suggest their sample of the same card is very quiet.
Obviously it depends on the load involved but the variation in opinions is quite large at times and people have very different views on what are acceptable noise levels.

Even some of the 5850's are reported as being loud on load.

Main uses will be pretty standard, plus some CAD, Photoshop, HD Video and editing and games - mainly strategy.

I've seen reference to profiles for the 460/470's.
I'm not sure about the 5850's.
I believe user created profiles simply allow the user to increase fan speed if they feel the default operation provides insufficient fan speed and cooling for a given load.

It could be useful for me perhaps, if a profile could essentially throttle or limit the performance of the card if needed, and achieve very quiet operation, and choose a more conventional profile for those occasions when I need greater performance and am happy to live with the increase in noise.

I'm looking to have some power and capability spare in case my needs in the future require it.
To me a quiet but reasonably powerful card is more important than saving say £50-£60 on my budget of around £250.

Any advice, comments or choice of cards would be appreciated - but it must capable of being very quiet at least on modest loads.

 

[Rroff]

GTX470 with a custom cooler (or a version with uprated cooling like the gigabyte Soc) would be the best for both power and quiet.

Stock cooling on a GTX470 is quiet to silent at idle (depending on how noisey your case is) and when using light load like CAD, etc. but it can get quite loud in demanding games.

5850 is generally fairly quiet and decently powerful.


EDIT: One option would be to use MSI Afterburner to set lower clocks and a custom fan profile on the 470 when you want quiet operation even when gaming - dropping the clocks and voltage back a bit can dramatically reduce temps and hence how fast you need the fan without hideously compromising performance.

 

[kmufc77]

Quiet and powerful= 5850/5870

 

[Meaker]

If you dont want to OC then a powercolor custom cooled 5850.

 

[chaotic_uk]

for £276 you can get the powercolor 5870PCS+ from another online etailer

 

[Marse]

Thanks guys

It looks like I can throttle the performance and achieve quieter running if need be for normal use.

I don't think I'll be overclocking - It's more likely to be throttling back for normal operation and returning the 'profile' back to somewhere near normal for more demanding applications.

Keep the suggestions coming - please - especially for specific card recommendations, preferably cards which are fairly quiet to start with, so I don't have to throttle back any more than I need to

I hate it when people say 'urgent ordering today' and are still seeking advice a week later, but if I can sort everything out I am hoping to order whilst OCUK still have some specials which could save me around £30-£40.

Do the 'weekly special offers' end on Sunday evening ?.

 

[bobert50]

I've had the powercolor 5870 PCS+ which was silent or as good as under load..and the same applies to the gigabyte 460 oc 1gb.

Both quick with great performance. If you have the funds and aint overclocking..the powercolor 5870 PCS+ looks a good choice to me.

470's generally....are much, much louder than 460's.

 

[mattjd]

If you are going to use Photoshop and strategy games then the Gigabyte 460 would be your best bet.

 

[Mr Krugga]

I believe Gigabyte/MSI 460 1GB or Radeon 5850 is the right card for you mate

 

[Mayfair]

I've got the Gigabyte 1gb card, and it's very quiet imho

 

[Marse]

I have suspicion the 460 could be better value with 'similar' performance to most 5850's.

Thanks for all the comments including those relating to the 5850.
I checked out the 5870 PCS+ but since OCUK and none of the suppliers I have used stock it I'll probably have let it pass.

This card was originally on my list.

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 460 OC 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card [GV-N460OC-1GI ]
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-064-GI&tool=3

5 out of 8 reviewers on OCUK saying it was quiet and none saying the opposite.
I've looked at lots of cards but I can't remember any negative comments about this one.

Is this the card one or two have in mind or could it fit my needs.

Do the 'weekly special offers' on OCUK end on Sunday evening ?

 

[Mr Krugga]

If you can get Gigabyte 460 1GB for under £170 inc (and you can) then that would be a very good value card. MSI Cyclone for £175 is also a good choice. Anything above that and Radeon 5850 becomes a better choice.

 

[Marse]

...MSI Cyclone for £175 is also a good choice.....

That would be this one

MSI GeForce GTX 460 Cyclone 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-092-MS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1830

It seems to have collected quite a few 'gongs'
Looks very promising.

I think I'm getting close

It seems to have a hefty fan etc will it fit below a Prolimatech Megahalems Rev B CPU Cooler (Socket 775/1156/1366)
Silly question on further inspection it will

 

[HW91]

you should be looking at nvidia cards because photoshop and a lot of CAD apps can use CUDA

so IMO a MSI 460 1GB cyclone or a gigabyte 470 SOC

 

[bobert50]

TBH at that price the 460 Cyclone 1024MB seems a very good choice imo.

 

[Marse]

GTX470 with a custom cooler (or a version with uprated cooling like the gigabyte Soc) would be the best for both power and quiet....

Found a Gigabyte Geforce GTX 470 Super Overclock (SOC) [Gigabyte cat no GV-N470SO-13I] for £264 in stock.

A fair bit more expensive than some others I've considered, but basically in budget, and so far reviews suggest it is - virtually silent - will investigate further.

£273 with P&P

 

[subbytna]

I have suspicion the 460 could be better value with 'similar' performance to most 5850's.

Thanks for all the comments including those relating to the 5850.
I checked out the 5870 PCS+ but since OCUK and none of the suppliers I have used stock it I'll probably have let it pass.

This card was originally on my list.

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 460 OC 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card [GV-N460OC-1GI ]
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-064-GI&tool=3

5 out of 8 reviewers on OCUK saying it was quiet and none saying the opposite.
I've looked at lots of cards but I can't remember any negative comments about this one.

Is this the card one or two have in mind or could it fit my needs.

Do the 'weekly special offers' on OCUK end on Sunday evening ?

I've the gigabyte one, quiet as any GPU I've ever owned

 

[bobert50]

Found a Gigabyte Geforce GTX 470 Super Overclock (SOC) [Gigabyte cat no GV-N470SO-13I] for £264 in stock.

A fair bit more expensive than some others I've considered, but basically in budget, and so far reviews suggest it is - virtually silent - will investigate further.

£273 with P&P

You'd be an absolute madman to spend £273 on a gtx470 over a gtx460 for £160. Especially given your criteria.

 

[Ravenger]

Gigabyte GTX 460 is virtually silent, even at 100% GPU load. Amazing card.

 

[Marse]

You'd be an absolute madman to spend £273 on a gtx470 over a gtx460 for £160. Especially given your criteria.

I didn't - Thank you guys - Ordered a few minutes ago

Edit: Ordered 14:51, along with quite a lot of other kit, 16:40 it's been 'shipped'.

I hope the kit's as good as OCUK's service.

Now where did I leave that hammer