Quiet Graphics card

[PhilGQ]

I want to replace my Graphics card with a less noisey one. Complete silence would be ideal, but really I just need it to be quiet when I am studying (word documents, spreadsheets etc). If it makes a bit more noise when its being thrashed I can live with that.

My existing card is GF6600 GT, which wasn't particularly great when it was new, but thats the performance benchmark. Its got a small fan which is the only thing audiable as I have an H50, SSD and a corsair HX PSU. Correct me If I am wrong, but as I understand it, large fans make less noise because they displace the same heat while moving slower.

Clearly, I am not a heavy PC Gamer; Starcraft Mainly. It would be nice if I could play modern games at console quality as that would be good enough for me but even thats not essentail as I do play most games on PS3 or 360. I don't do anything like modeling squirell DNA or encoding video so overall I am not asking for much.

I do have a windowed case though, so something that looks alright would be nice to have.

Budget could be £100, but rather bring it in around £60.

Tend to lean to nVidia as Linux support is better.

What should I be considering?

 

[CyberCrow]

The only way your going to get the results your after is if you go custom cooler but with the budget of £60-100 it might not be possible.

 

[wazza300]

gtx 460 maybe?

 

[JonSmith]

If you can get hold of an R6850 Cyclone 1GD5 Power Edition/OC, that would be the card to get. It has a switch that changes between the standard and a quiet BIOS. Even when under load it's virtually inaudible if your case is adequately ventilated.

 

[Vegeta]

Any graphics card will be pretty much silent idleing or browsing/watching tv. Just use fan control software if it isn't. I run my GTX580 with the lowest fan setting until it hit's 70c which it only reaches at 3D gaming so just try and get the best performance you can for your budget and do that.