Cheapest simplest way to make stock GTX 480 quiet for HTPC

[Clay Davis]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a dirt-cheap way of making a GTX 480 quiet enough for a living room PC. Not the least bit interested in overclocking.

I bought a GTX 480 reference model off eBay without realising what an unsuitable card it is for an HTPC due to noise. I bought it because (forgetting noise + heat) it seemed like decent performance for the money (£75 delivered) and I want to be able to 1080p game in the living room.

Any and all suggestions welcome.

 

[pgi947]

Depends how much room is in the htpc, something like the gield or arctic aftermarket coolers would be perfect though iirc if you're short on room they can be both longer then a standard cooled and take in excess of 2.5 slots...

 

[Clay Davis]

I can't add any more length (it's already the absolute longest it can be), but I could stretch to covering 3 slots

 

[pgi947]

By the look of it, the geild icy vision will not take up any extra length, but make it around 2.5 slots thick - sounds ideal

 

[Clay Davis]

Righto, that does look like a good call.

The question is, given the card cost me £75 and the cooler an extra thirty, for £105 should I just be selling the card on (should get what I paid for it) and getting something else? Or do you think it is still worth it at that price point?

 

[teppic]

Optionally resell it and get a cheap new card for £30 or so - you can get a passive one that's literally silent and it'll be fine for video.

Edit: Ignore that, I see you want to play games too.

 

[Drangueos]

For movies you could underclock it probably...
For gaming the only way is using headphones or replacing the cooler..

 

[Bluntwrapped]

What is the stock 3D voltage of your card?

The MSI afterburner voltage slider will show you. Make sure it's a fresh install.

 

[3t3P]

didn't prolimatech make a badass universal GPU cooler once upon a time?

 

[oweneades]

For a HTPC setup I would probably look at selling it (shouldn't lose anything bar postage really), using what you would have spent on making the 480 quiet to get a used HD7850 or GTX660.

 

[spoffle]

For a HTPC setup I would probably look at selling it (shouldn't lose anything bar postage really), using what you would have spent on making the 480 quiet to get a used HD7850 or GTX660.

This is good advice, and what I'd do in this situation.

 

[Freddie1980]

Depending on space you could D.I.Y one of those dirt cheap Corsiar A.I.O coolers that OCUK have brought in, that would do the job.

To be honest a GTX480 isn't a card I would get for HTPC gaming. What sort of games are you going to playing? Most of the games I play are like Virtua Tennis, Grid 2, F1 2012 i.e games that aren't that demanding and are playable with a controller. If I were you I would look at getting a HD6850 2nd hand or GTX650.