Fanless Graphics Cards - No more?

frogboy · 5 Mar 2007 at 21:17

I was wondering if there will still be fanless graphics cards in the future. Surely with graphics cards getting more and more powerful, this won't be possible anymore, will it?

Roll · 5 Mar 2007 at 21:22

I think you've possibly answered your own question.

The most recent passively cooled graphics card I can recall was a Gigabyte 6800 and that was nearly two years ago (pic below).

I may well be wrong but I don't remember seeing any since then?

Darkwave · 5 Mar 2007 at 21:26

You can still get passively cooled cards, but they're usually low-end and budget stuff.

Not bad if you're building a HTPC though.

Things change I've changed · 5 Mar 2007 at 21:32

as said above you can still get them but they are pretty low end cards, I've got a passive 6200gt in my machine for multiscreen and have just brought an ati X600 which is passively cooled also.

MeatLoaf · 5 Mar 2007 at 21:33

I seem to recall reading a review of a passive cooled 7950GT from XFX

Lanz · 5 Mar 2007 at 21:33

Last one I've seen straight from the box was a 7800GT.

Im pretty sure its possible, but its costly, and most people dont care, so they dont sell very good.

MeatLoaf · 5 Mar 2007 at 21:37

Just found the 7950GT review but i cant link to it as it has adverts on it

Indy500 · 5 Mar 2007 at 21:39

Highest spec card I've seen come with passive cooling as standard is the 7600GS. 7300GT also comes with a passive heatsink (about 6600GT level).

millsy888 · 5 Mar 2007 at 21:44

*edit*
nevermind wrong thread

FoxEye · 5 Mar 2007 at 22:40

I'm sure there are passively cooled x1950 pros out there.

Subliminal Aura · 5 Mar 2007 at 23:13

I thought so too : Isn't Powercolor supposed to be releasing them ?

EDIT
http://www.powercolor.com/global/main_product_detail.asp?id=161

Its certainly on their website

I think it has been released google for it

furnace · 6 Mar 2007 at 00:06

Ulfhedjinn said:
Not bad if you're building a HTPC though.

I keep hearing "HTPC" ... what's a HTPC? Hyper ... thrust... PC? lol :confused:

Subliminal Aura · 6 Mar 2007 at 00:08

furnace said:
I keep hearing "HTPC" ... what's a HTPC? Hyper ... thrust... PC? lol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTPC

unde4d · 6 Mar 2007 at 00:28

I'm fairly confident that you'll always find a mid-range passively cooled gfx card (think GeForce 7600GT). There is a demand for them, just not at the sharpend, where performance is king.

Also, sooner or later, I think there will be pressure on gfx makers to design more efficient cards. Intel/Amd have put an emphasis on low power requirements, I suspect gfx card makers will follow suit, eventually.

simonnance · 6 Mar 2007 at 01:00

could always buy a normal card and stick an HR-03 on it, though there is no guarantee that it wont cause it to overheat if you dont put a fan on it.

sunlitsix · 6 Mar 2007 at 01:02

furnace said:
I keep hearing "HTPC" ... what's a HTPC? Hyper ... thrust... PC? lol

Home Theatre PC, pretty much a media center PC

mnemonix · 6 Mar 2007 at 02:08

MSI do passively cooled cards right up to the 7950. Thermalright have just released a new version of the HR-03 (Plus) suitable for 8800's.

photoshop · 6 Mar 2007 at 09:17

I think these days if you want a descent graphics card without the noise you really have to watercool with the likes of a reserator or something else.

That is what i am hoping to do

I use to have a gigabyte 6600GT passively cooled but although its deadly silent it does add to the case heat by as much as 5 - 8*C depending on how long you game for. And it use to go all the way upto 98*C which i wasnt comfortable with as then i would get artifacts.

neilw · 6 Mar 2007 at 09:57

The XFX 7600GT 'Fatal1ty' Is passive. Overclockers dont seem to stock it tho.