*Official OMG I RMA'd my 460 Thread*

[Overslop]

Really disappointed with the noise levels, mine are both going back!

Will either go for a couple of GTX 470s or skip this generation.

Who else is abandoning their 460s?

 

[Overslop]

wow that must be about 5/6 that are being returned now, did you try limiting the fan with afterbuner?

Try this curve I posted in the 460 thread,

Did try limiting the fan mate, but it's still too much for me.

 

[Overslop]

erm 470's will be even louder than 460's though? i'd do some reading up asap if i was you.

I will water cool the 470s if I get them so not a problem there other than the cost. Got everything aside from the water blocks.

 

[Overslop]

you can actually return a GPU based on the noise?
didn't know that, in America yes where they are (overly) protected but not the UK

You can return anything you buy online other than software/consumables for any reason you like, just so long as you do so within a week.

 

[Overslop]

What did you limit the fan to?, because up to 50% the fan is practically silent, if your cards are still in your system try that curve out at least and hit 'user defined', playing regular games with that is fine noise wise on my system.

Just out of interest while your card is on load are you looking for absolute silence?

Will have another crack at it then just to be sure as I can't remember what fugures I used exactly. I remember temps were going pretty high though in addition to it being too noisy.

I was really looking for close to silence as my case fans are on low RPM and my CPU is under water.

 

[Overslop]

Well I've ran mine @ 850mhz core yesterday for hours in furmark with the card @ 92c and fan limited, didn't have any issues in terms of stability so they can at least take the heat, system temp only jumped up a few degrees, most games though won't push the card that high, of the games I've tried so far the card has hit between 60-80c max temps.

With regards to noise if your looking for close to silence @ load then yeah maybe this particular card isn't for you, like you say water cooling will archive close to that but I'm guessing if your considering the 470's as an alternative your going to need a pretty decent water loop as they get pretty toasty on load.

2x470's @ £520 + 2 x 470 water blocks @ £120 your already looking @ £640, plus any upgrades you need to do on your loop.

If the noise is really an issue then it could be worth getting a refund and waiting for some 460's that have better cooling on them.

Don't need any upgrades on the loop, already got a good one going completely spare!

I was going to put up with air cooled 460s until prices plummeted on 470s/480s and grab a couple with water blocks on the second hand market. As it is though I will either go back to my old plan of using a couple of GTX 280s water cooled or cough up the extra for 470s. Will probably just use the 280s but it's always hard to resist an upgrade!

But will muck around with 460 fan profiles again a little before sending them back. Not overly confident though.

As for getting an alternative 460, I think I've been put off them too now but will see if a winning card comes through and might be swayed back.

 

[Overslop]

That price drop on the Zotac GTX 470s has done it for me. Sending the 460s back and spending an extra £60 seems well worth it to me. Also ordered a couple of EK water blocks from elsewhere so all's looking good now.

 

[Overslop]

Yep, £180 overall. But I was only referring to the graphics cards. If I'd kept the 460s I would have got water blocks for them when they are out anyway.

GTX 460 @ £200 V GTX 470 + Just Cause 2 @ £230 = no brainer.

Was seriously tempted to get a couple of 470s whilst they were £260 each, at £230 it makes the 460 pale in comparison.

 

[Overslop]

Another way of looking at it:

GTX 460 (potential to clock to 900+ on the core) @ £187 vs GTX 470 @ £235 + louder, hotter, uses more power, makes the 460 a no-brainer to someone like me who doesn't want the not inconsiderable hassle and expense of water cooling.

GTX 275s clock really well too so that's a moot point. Water cooling isn't necessary for the heat, it's just for people like me who want their PCs to be close to silent.

Where did you get the £235 from though, that's a fiver too much.

So say it's £43 more then for considerably more power, much longer warranty and better resale value.

I stick by my comment that the GTX 460 is a stupid choice at the current prices.

 

[Overslop]

OK, I'm officially crazy. Could have sworn it was £229.99 for some reason...

Anyways, will sell both the Just Cause 2 vouchers so final price will be £220 each.

 

[Overslop]

The point you're making is that the GTX 460 can be overclocked to GTX 470 levels. This is true.

The point I'm making is that the GTX 470 can also be heavily overclocked. And thus the performance difference is restored.

So the fact remains that even after overclocking, the GTX 470 is noticably more powerful.