Gauntlet 2009 Joiners Thread!

I'm seriously thinking of going down the GPU route myself, but I have a few questions first:

a) How much power does, say, a 250 or 260 approximately draw from the wall?
b) How hot do they run?
c) Are they designed to be run at 100% for long periods of time?
d) How noisy is the average fan when the chip's being pushed to 100%?

I'd also like to know what the best bang-for-buck card is - preferably one <£100, but could go a bit higher if necessary. I don't play any games, so the card will purely be used for crunching on.
 
I'll watch this with interest, but I'm not sure where I'd put one anyway. Choices are the PC in the living room (which has a mATX board and thus very little room), or my Linux server.
 
If it's just for crunching.....

Probably suggest the GTS250. (good budget card)

It has a good high shader clock....which I have been informed helps whilst crunching.

Can anyone else confirm this?
 
q6600 1x gts 250 in closed TJ08 case - RAC 11.5k (60 deg 100% fan - this is my hottest rig) - 300 watts total.

q9650 1x 9800gtx+ open case - RAC 15k (power ?? can't remember - probably about the same.)

q9650 2x 9800gtx+ open case - RAC 22k (power ?? more...)

All GPUs are overclocked to 790/2000/1200 core/shader/mem

This lot are quite noisy, they are in my living room.

Are they designed to be run at 100% for long periods ? Is anything ? Probably not.
 
TheTross said:
I'm seriously thinking of going down the GPU route myself, but I have a few questions first:

a) How much power does, say, a 250 or 260 approximately draw from the wall? My rig with Q6600 @ 3.4Ghz (HDs, 6GB ram, WC pump, fans + controller) with two OC'd GTX 260s hasn't drawn more than 525W from the wall (whilst folding/Seti on both GPUs and CPU).
b) How hot do they run? Mine go upto about 80C with fanspeed on auto, as this keeps the noise low.
c) Are they designed to be run at 100% for long periods of time? They have a warranty, but in all seriousness only the GTX 280s were dying left right and centre from folding etc
d) How noisy is the average fan when the chip's being pushed to 100%? If it's left on auto then it's not that bad at all. I can hear the fans speed over my 850rpm case fans but not by that much. The thing that you may fine annoying is the capacitor squeal on the cards. My fan speed has yet to go over 55% and that's was when it was very hot in the summer, it normally hangs sticks somwhere around 45-52%

I'd also like to know what the best bang-for-buck card is - preferably one <£100, but could go a bit higher if necessary. I don't play any games, so the card will purely be used for crunching on. Best card would be a GTX260 second hand, can be had for well around £85-90incl. If you are wanting to buy new, then the GTS 250 is a good buy, since they only need 1 6pin power adaptor. and can be had for around £80-90 new
Click to expand...

Clipboard01-32.jpg
 
Last edited:
At what temp should you aim to not to go beyond on the gpu for a GTX 260?

Mine run at:

Air cooled @ 1440 shader
GPU0:83
GPU1:97
GPU2:74

Air cooled @ 1400 shader
GPU0:76
GPU1:78
GPU2:72

Seems a little high to me when oc'd.

EDIT:
Just put the fans on auto and they cooled right down to 70 - 72, however they are quite noisey. :(

EDIT EDIT:
All three cards have settled @ 77 and so have the fans, can only hear the case fans now :)
 
Last edited:
I would aim to keep them under 85C. What % are the fans on when on auto for you? When doing F@H I run them at 1512MHz for the shaders, but with Seti sometimes I get an computing error at 1512Mhz so I leave them at 1440Mhz. F@H seems to make the cards marginally hotter in my experience.
 
Been building my own PC's for over 9 years and only started oc'ing a month ago (ish).

Seems I 've been missing out on the joys. :)

Fan Speeds:

GPU0: 1700 (53%)
GPU1: 2000 (63%)
GPU2: 1450 (45%)

And all I can hear is the case fans. Above 65% and they become audible (just tested with Rivatuner)
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the info lads, will have a think - although the 250 is possibly looking favourite cost-wise.

EDIT: Hmm, the capacitor squeal might be a bit off-putting what with my rig being in my bedroom, but I suppose I could always disable the GPU client at night somehow.
 
TheTross said:
Thanks for the info lads, will have a think - although the 250 is possibly looking favourite cost-wise.

EDIT: Hmm, the capacitor squeal might be a bit off-putting what with my rig being in my bedroom, but I suppose I could always disable the GPU client at night somehow.
Click to expand...

Mines in my room, and TBH I have got used to it, but if you listen hard it's defiantly noticeable. However my brother can hear if from another room, as I said I have got used to it and it doesn't bother me. I have had squeal on my 8800GTX/8800GT and both GTX 260s.

Marine Iguana said:
Same here wierd and i only get capacitor squeal when folding
Click to expand...

I also get it when playing older games, and the GPu is putting out 175FPS+ etc.

loudbob said:
Nope, nothing.

Just the very gentle hum of the case fans (6 off):

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-047-AK

Running @ 900rpm (nice n' quiet with a dim green glow)
Click to expand...

Same sort of speed as my case fans, well then enjoy your rhythmic crunching :rolleyes: :p
 
Mine to is in the bedroom.

Have got used to the hum of the case fans.

The only thing is the amount of heat it puts out. Roll on winter lol
 
My Gauntlet RAC betrays me :(

Showing at about 12k when my output is around 20k+.

Suppose I will just have to wait for it to catch up.

Be warned Biffa & br83taylor....I may catch you on the Gauntlet :)
 
loudbob said:
My Gauntlet RAC betrays me :(

Showing at about 12k when my output is around 20k+.
Click to expand...

Not as good as your figures with your new kit but I'm generating 15K a day now with my RAC down in the 10's. Cracked the top 100 in the team now and should be top 75 by the end of this wee project :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom