Quiet performance cards/reducing fanspeed advice

[Goof]

I just got myself a new shuttle SB95P-V2 and am in the market for a PCI-E card. Currently looking at something like an X800XT or 6800GT but am wondering if some are quieter than others because I'll be using it for HCPC use(and also concerned which are likely to fit in the shuttle, which is basically the P4 version of the SN25P).

Also, I'd read that some people were able to reduce the fan speed on their gfx cards - is this done solely via software (e.g. Rivatuner)? Also, will this work on ATI and nVidia cards alike? I know another alternative is adding a quiter GPU cooler but if I could quieten it for HCPC use with the stock fan that would be fine as I'm not bothered about noise level when gaming.

 

[GuruJockStrap]

Rivatuner is what you need.

Got a 6800GT inside a Shuttle and found the reference cooler far too loud when in Windows.

With Rivatuner, I now have the fan spinning at 15% (absolutely silent) when the GPU temp is below 75oC. When the GPU temp hits 85oC, the fan speed ramps up to 40%.

Guide on how to adjust fan speed according to temps can be found here: http://userweb.suscom.net/~msl/RivaTuner.htm

 

[ajgoodfellow]

ATI Tool will do the same job for ATI cards

 

[Goof]

Thanks for the advice

Btw, I take it the fan speed reduction with ATI tool only works with newer cards? Just tried (latest version) and there was no option for my 9800pro.