whats bad about the gtx 470?

[Squakingcow]

I swapped my 4870 for a 470 yesterday, and I briefly tested it on the stock cooler and I can see where it gets its reputation for being a bit noisy under full load, at idle however it is silent.

Fortunately the stock fan isn't be an issue since after fitting my MCW60 to the core and pointing a slow spinning 140mm fan at it I haven't seen GPU temps much over 40C.

The main thing that impressed me though is the way they clock, whack the voltage up to 1.087V and I had it stable at 880mhz straight off (although I run it at 850mhz just to be on the safe side). Before it arrived I was planning on modding the bios to allow for 1.2V but I'm not sure it really needs it (although there is still the temptation to, if only to see just how far it can be pushed).

In general then I think that if you can get one cheap enough and/or have some decent after-market cooling lined up for it then they are cracking cards.

 

[Rroff]

As there seems to be allot of variation from card to card, this statement is completely false.

Actually leakage with Fermi appears to be a bigger factor than the common misconception of airflow (as long as there is actually air flow of course).

In an open case my Gainward 470 idled at 43c and at load went into the mid 90's on auto fan, similar to reviews.
Another guy on hear with the same card was idling 30c and 75c load on auto fan.

So depending on who you ask, the 470 is pretty cool with it's temps and noise way over exaggerated, or it's a toaster.

While I will second the fact there is a lot of variation - my original card runs a good 10C cooler than the second one - and the original card is in the top slot which usually runs warmer. I've got through a lot of 470s for my own builds and builds for other people and the noise and heat is way blown out of proportion I haven't come across one yet thats significantly noisey under normal gaming conditions in a case with reasonable airflow.

Now if the case has poor airflow its another matter - yes theres a lot of heat to shift but aslong as your setup is upto it, and its not that hard to achieve - they don't get that noisey at all.

 

[wiganwazzack]

I have a Gigabyte 470gtx SOC at 800/875/1600 and the fans are very quiet, i run a fan profile and as soon as it hits 60-65 degrees my fans are 90-100% and the temps dont budge and i cant hear the fans at all.

EDIT
But I do have an antec 902 case with the front two fans right at the top blasting air straight past the gpu and mobo though. this probably helps!

 

[Ivyforce]

thinking about the antec 300 ultimate gaming case.

That is the case I have too, so thats no problems for you there if you get a 470.

if you dont mind B grade then oc have had msi 470 for £169 a couple of times in there recently.

 

[jigger]

Fermi is just a very poor design all round, but even Fermi problems can be off set by price.

If you can get a GTX470 for £160 and don't need to folk out on a new case, fans , PSU then it can be a good card for the price.

 

[ashatron]

wiked.

Thanks a lot everyone, very very helpful, really appreciate it
i know what to expect now, cheers

 

[rolypolyman]

As mentioned, stock HSF's are loud and not that efficient, I stuck a Gelid cooler on mine, does a great job.

Ditto.

 

[kylew]

Brought one for my pc little while ago, brought another one last week for the wife's pc.

To be frank, I dont notice any difference noise wise than from the card before, the only time I notice the fan is loud is when I start folding before I goto bed.

During gaming I dont hear it, in fact I found the fan on top of the case was louder and now have it unplugged.

Temps it was 81 last night and 82 this morning after a night of folding.

For me the extra cuda cores were also considered over a 460.

BOUGHT!