Noise level differences between the various gtx 200 models

K

Kermith

n00b
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
13
I'm in the process of selecting parts for a new pc and realized the graphicscard will probably be the loudest thing in there. I'm trying to minimize the damage though, without giving up to much performance.

So far I've gathered that the nvidia cards are quieter than ati this gen.
What I'm not sure about is the difference between the models, especially with the 55 Nm models and factory overclocked versions confusing the matter.
Would a factory overclocked gtx260 core 216 be a better choice then a gtx280 for example?
And is there a big difference in noise between the 280 and 285?

Basically what are the best gtx200 options when you take both noise and performance into account? (and budget a bit too, price difference between 280 and 285 seems extreme at the moment while I've seen 280's actually drop below some 260 cards)

(bonus question: My current card is a ati radeon x1950 pro, how would any of these cards compare sound wise?)
 
Well Kermith, I can't answer your questions with accurate dB measurements, but I can tell you that there are many variables to consider. Both ATI and Nvidia cards have a reference design - these designs are generally created with low cost in mind, not silent computing. There are many aftermarket GPU cooling solutions, and some manufacturers actually sell aftermarket coolers already installed on the GPU card.

Also, the 285 is a die-shrink of the 280 GPU. When the die shrinks, the temps go down. This almost certainly results in less noise, even with the reference fan design, because the fan spins more slowly. While the cards are more expensive, they consume less power, and let off less heat in the case.

You might want to consider an "inexpensive" 280 with an aftermarket GPU cooler...

Check out newegg's selection of video cards. You'll get an idea of what I'm talking about.




 
I've had both a 260 and now a 285 (and an 8800GTS before that) and I'll say that, on Nvidia's side at least, the noise from the video card is no longer much of a factor. I could not hear any of those three cards over the noise floor of my case (not particularly loud) - they are all very quiet. I didn't notice any difference between the 260 and the 285, and I needed to push the fan speed up over 70% to be able to hear the fans (and they never went that high on their own). At the locked 50% fan speed I use everyday both of them are inaudible.
 
I had a GTX260 and now have a GTX285 (actually 2). Single 260 vs. single 285, the 285 is a slight bit quieter, both at 40%. Pleasant surprise. I could actually make out the gtx260 whirring away at 40% in my case when I dropped it to 30%, I cannot hear the 285 at all it seems.
 
Brahmzy said:
I had a GTX260 and now have a GTX285 (actually 2). Single 260 vs. single 285, the 285 is a slight bit quieter, both at 40%. Pleasant surprise. I could actually make out the gtx260 whirring away at 40% in my case when I dropped it to 30%, I cannot hear the 285 at all it seems.
Click to expand...

How do you like the 2x 285? i was thinking of stepping up to them myself in the next few weeks. Do you notice any improvement over the 260 (i dont know if you had 260SLi before).
Btw what are your northbridge temps when gaming? mine go up to 61 degrees if both 260's are working hard.
 
styx0r: As I understand it all current nvidia cards use the stock cooler. There don't seem to be a lot of compatible aftermarket coolers out yet. I know of 3 that have been announced and don't think any are in the stores yet (well maybe the hr-03 gtx but not yet for the 55nm 260 and 285) Don't seem to come cheap either, almost the difference between 280 & 285...

As for noise going down with a die shrink, I read that the 55nm models are higher clocked and even saw mention of the 55nm 260 having a smaller heatsink (true?) resulting in about the same noise from both.

Forceman: I've seen some noise levels in reviews that were pretty high for high fan speeds, but from what you wrote I take it fan speeds don't actually get that high with real use?

Brahmzy: What kind of 260 did you have? (216/overclocked?)

From both your sigs it looks like you have the non overclocked versions of the 285. Any idea how much of a noise difference a factory overclocked card would make? (Does anyone have one by any chance?)

To be honest the 285 still seems a bit to expensive right now, but if it's a big difference with the 280 I might go for it. Don't suppose it will go down in price any time soon..
In the meantime I spotted a MSI NGTX280-T2D1G Super OC for € 300 which seems cheap, Super OC suggests it might be pretty loud though, any experiences with this card?
 
The moderately overclocked cards that are sold as overclocked normally don't have any different fan profile - so the noise level would probably be the same. In a well-ventilated case, in my experience, the cards don't get hot enough to require high fan speeds, in auto I never noticed mine ramping up (except on initial boot, when it is pretty loud). Since I fix the fan speed at 50% with Precision, I don't worry about it, and my core temps never get out of the 70s (if I remember correctly, in any case they weren't high enough to worry me).
 
The noise level of the 285 seems to be lower than the 8800GTS512 that I just replaced. If noise level is you top criteria, its hard to beat the 285 now.
 
I have returned a noisy GTX 280 a few months ago.
The GTX 285 seems to be much more silent and I will get one in the coming weeks...
 
If your budget allows for a 285 I would get it but if not I would lean towards a 260 216.
 
RadXge said:
I have returned a noisy GTX 280 a few months ago.
The GTX 285 seems to be much more silent and I will get one in the coming weeks...
Click to expand...
Yeah the 280 is the loudest card I've ever heard...
Not that I have an expansive video card history, but I've heard enough to know it was above average.

Interested to see how the 285 compares...
 
Kermith said:
I'm in the process of selecting parts for a new pc and realized the graphicscard will probably be the loudest thing in there. I'm trying to minimize the damage though, without giving up to much performance.

So far I've gathered that the nvidia cards are quieter than ati this gen.
What I'm not sure about is the difference between the models, especially with the 55 Nm models and factory overclocked versions confusing the matter.
Would a factory overclocked gtx260 core 216 be a better choice then a gtx280 for example?
And is there a big difference in noise between the 280 and 285?

Basically what are the best gtx200 options when you take both noise and performance into account? (and budget a bit too, price difference between 280 and 285 seems extreme at the moment while I've seen 280's actually drop below some 260 cards)

(bonus question: My current card is a ati radeon x1950 pro, how would any of these cards compare sound wise?)
Click to expand...

Depends on how well they cool themselves, if you manually set the fan speed then it's up to you how loud it is, they all have pretty much the same blower fan (nVidia have been using the same cooling system on all the current range, the 295 looks a little different on the side fins though).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top