670 Windforce 3x thoughts

[Dangerous_Dave]

I've got my new 670 Windforce 3x here which I'm running instead of my EVGA reference cooled card.

The EVGA was a bit disappointing on the overclock, only getting to a little over 1200 max boost, but it was fairly quiet. I got the the Windforce because I was hoping for higher overclocks and possibly quieter operation, but I only got 1 out of 2: It clocks up to 1320MHz which is a nice overclock, but it's actually louder at the same fan % than the reference cooler. The Windforce requires 55% fan speed to keep the card just under 80 celcius with Furmark, and is about as noisy then as the reference cooler at 68% fan speed. Bit surprised by that as I expected the windforce cooler to be quieter even with a higher overclock. The other thing is that the windforce vents most air back into the case, and is therefore inefficient in my Sugo SG07 case which has poor airflow.

All of this in mind, which would you keep?

 

[iBSOD]

with 1200 on the wf, is it cooler/quieter than the evga?

 

[Twirlywoos]

What temps does it get to in Unigene or games?

Bear this in mind

 

[w3bbo]

In a SUGO the best card to keep would be the EVGA. If you had more room then it would be the windforce without a doubt. In normal operating conditions, the windforce should be barely audible but I guess because of the confined space and (poor?) airflow, the fans are having to work harder to cool the card down.

I would be wary of comparing fans speeds with a percentage as a 2000rpm fan spinning at 68% will not be the same volume or cooling capability of a fan running at 1000rpm.

I have had both cards (albeit in 680 guise) in my setup (COSMOS II) and can say without a doubt that the Windforce card is the better performing AND much quieter than the reference design.

 

[Dangerous_Dave]

What temps does it get to in Unigene or games?

Bear this in mind

I'll have to check that out. Worth noting though that unlike the EVGA, which was very keen to start downclocking even before 70 celcius due to board power limit considerations, the Gigabyte always stayed at 1320 even in the high 70's celcius. It seems like they must have done something to stop it backing itself off.

I agree that the blower design is far more optimal for this case. Bit annoying that I have to sacrifice ~7% overall performance though!

 

[weehamish]

This is why i always get a decent sized case.

I wanted the cosmos 2 but settled for the phantom 820

 

[Dangerous_Dave]

This is why i always get a decent sized case.

I wanted the cosmos 2 but settled for the phantom 820

Lulz it wasn't because I could afford a bigger case

I needed a case I could move around in a motorcycle top box.

 

[Suarez7]

I wouldn't be sending back a 670 that could do 1320mhz, that's nearly golden sample and probably 10% above a stock 680.

 

[whyscotty]

I wouldn't be sending back a 670 that could do 1320mhz, that's nearly golden sample and probably 10% above a stock 680.

^^^
This

 

[MichaelM]

I've only seen mine go above 60C when I had two of them. Even benchmarking I only get to about 55C during these months with a heated room of about 18C ambient.

If it's claiming 1320mhz before the thermal throttle then after it hits 70C and downclocks you are no longer stress testing it at that frequency, so that could be the throttling making it seem like a stable overclock. Unless you stressed it with the side off the case and an external fan keeping it under 70...

 

[Dangerous_Dave]

Mine doesn't downclock. I've been monitoring it under stress testing with GPU-Z and it's rock solid at 1320Mhz regardless of temp. Might downclock above 80 tho but not got that high yet.

The reason I'm reluctant to sell is the high overclock, but on the other hand I'm not sure the cooler design is a good match for my case.

 

[Nelly]

Mine doesn't downclock. I've been monitoring it under stress testing with GPU-Z and it's rock solid at 1320Mhz regardless of temp. Might downclock above 80 tho but not got that high yet.

The reason I'm reluctant to sell is the high overclock, but on the other hand I'm not sure the cooler design is a good match for my case.

I had same card, abit better than yours, and also high temps due to having 650D - not good enough cooling, ended up selling it, now I totally regret it.

Sell the case, and invest in a better case for cooling, if not now in the near future.

 

[Dangerous_Dave]

Gosh dangit - this case hasn't been forced on me! It's a choice to have it for portability. Ofc I could easily get a huge one with great airflow but then I wouldn't be able to take it with me places.

 

[weehamish]

This is why we have the internet lol make places comes to you!!

Or buy a car your call Hahahaha

 

[illuz]

Get better cooling, really. This card really shines when you set up good cooling. I never see it over high 50s in BF3. I think you'll be able to clock higher with good cooling, that's a GOOD card!

 

[Geo-Gamer]

Get better cooling, really. This card really shines when you set up good cooling. I never see it over high 50s in BF3. I think you'll be able to clock higher with good cooling, that's a GOOD card!

+1

Just received my 7950 windforce was very shocked when I had it extreme overclocked and only saw it reach a maximum of 57c in bf3 on auto fan which is 40% :0 couldn't believe it for a while as my msi 7950 was reaching 80c with 75% fan

 

[Snodge]

I personally think Gigabyte with their 3X air cooling solution is the best there is without modding, My 670 at 1215/7200 which is the maximum overclock never goes above 60 at 25 percent fan. I know this may be extreme but I literally cannot hear it