SPCR Quiet Card

[Chris Beard]

Hi All,

So I've recently gone from 1280x1024 to 1980x1200. It's awesome!

I have a 8800gt 256MB (it was really cheap at the time) and I think I might need some more power.

I tend only to play games when they've become cheap so I'm always 12-18 months behind the cutting edge. Makes everything so much more affordable. I think this means that DX11 is of little or no interest to me?

I like to play at maxed out detail, 4xAA, 50-60fps min.

I just bought a bunch of games from MM including STALKER.

I'm bloody pedantic about the noise my PC makes - I have (only) 2 14cm scythe fans at <500RPM and 2.5" hard drives in scythe silent drive enclosures. I still think my PC is too noisy. I also have a semi-passive PSU (antec Phantom 500) which I would really like to never have the fan spin up - even under intensive gaming, so no power hungry monsters.

So - with all this in mind, which card should I go for. I was thinking the HD 5770 but I wanted some input from this lovely forum.

Thanks,
Chris.

 

[blaineoliver]

That cards going to be too noisy, unless you fit an aftermarket cooler.

 

[Chris Beard]

OK, I understand the Accelero S1 doesn't fit, what options do I have?

 

[arc@css]

There was a gigabyte 4850 1gb passive, don't know if its still in production though. I don't know if there are any more recent and powerful passives / low fan noise etc.

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...gabyte-radeon-hd-4850-1gb-passive-review.html

Must be something above this in rank but no idea at the mo.

 

[TheRealDeal]

This link below should help you decide on noise. The 5770 is one of the quietest cards on the market by the looks of what i seen from the anandtech review both at idle and load.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3658&p=13

 

[Chris Beard]

There was a gigabyte 4850 1gb passive, don't know if its still in production though. I don't know if there are any more recent and powerful passives / low fan noise etc.

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...gabyte-radeon-hd-4850-1gb-passive-review.html

Must be something above this in rank but no idea at the mo.

This looks like exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for - especially the lowered power consumption. Thank you.

I'm a little conserned I may not be able to find one though. Anyone have any other options?

 

[Chris Beard]

This link below should help you decide on noise. The 5770 is one of the quietest cards on the market by the looks of what i seen from the anandtech review both at idle and load.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3658&p=13

Thanks for the input - I should have mentioned from the get-go that I'd be looking to replace any reference cooler - I use an Accelero S1 at the minute on the 8800gt.

 

[arc@css]

Yeah, probably be better to consider the 5770 or nvidia equivalent even though you are not too fussed about the Dx11 capabilities, since the 5770 is newer tech. In fact looking at the 5770 spec, I'd say it'll pack a punch for gaming and would suggest that it is a bit of a wolf in sheeps clothing. Nice card.

 

[Chris Beard]

Cool, anyone know when Nvidia will get their arse in gear over the current generation or when passive cooling will be available for this gen?

 

[Minstadave]

Cool, anyone know when Nvidia will get their arse in gear over the current generation or when passive cooling will be available for this gen?

A while for both, Nvidia probably won't have a next gen card until after Xmas and you're probably looking at the same for a custom 5770.

 

[Chris Beard]

Thanks Minstadave. Will go shopping in Jan sales then I guess