silent graphics cards

Mafaraxas

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2006

Me/

I recently gave some of my old parts to my dad so he could build a new computer. The problem is, the 8800gt i gave him has a 2-pin fan, so it runs at 100% speed regardless of temperature. He's a big stickler for noise (and not a gamer, but still needs semi-decent performance), so now I'm looking for the best value card that's:

-silent or near-silent
-pci or pci-e x16
-under $50
-has VGA+DVI or 2x DVI output

alternatively, can anyone suggest a cheap, effective passive cooler (again, under $50).

danke.

Lourens

Lourens

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2006

You might want to replace the fan with a passive cooler saves you the trouble having to buy a new card, You can also use a program of nvidea (Not sure what its called) but then you can modify the fan speed

Mafaraxas

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2006

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lourens View Post
You might want to replace the fan with a passive cooler saves you the trouble having to buy a new card, You can also use a program of nvidea (Not sure what its called) but then you can modify the fan speed
it's a two-pin fan. that means that there is no way to control the fan with software, period, unless there is some program that can change the actual voltage going to the fan on the card which i'm not aware of.

passive cooling is an option. i guess i should include that as a possibility.

riktw

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2008

netherlands

Mo/E

get a new fan with 3 pins, and a fan control thing, 5 bugs for fan, 10 for fan control.
or get a nice cooler, artic cooling got nice coolers.

martinross

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jan 2008

Buy a passive GT7300. I have one, it plays GW like a charm, it's cheap, uses very little watt and is quiet as the grave.

If you need more performance, get a passive HD4650. Same pros as GT7300 (including the watt-use), but with some more power to it.

Elder III

Elder III

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jan 2007

Ohio

I Will Never Join Your Guild (NTY)

R/

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187036

about the best you can find for that price range.... Passive cooling is usually more expensive, but that card should be adequate for most people, esp. if he's not a gamer.

moriz

moriz

??ber t??k-n??sh'??n

Join Date: Jan 2006

Canada

R/

maybe something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150245

well, you'll have to wait for them to restock, but that card is roughly equivalent to the 9400GT.