Silent Videocard w/performance?

[xxx_Loki_xxx]

Looking to replace my main rig, it's a couple years old, but one of my major concerns with the current system is the noise from the 8800GTX. Some websites cause the fan to spin up... I'm happy with the current performance but I wouldn’t mind an stepping it up a bit, usage is approx 30% gaming, 20% video editing (retarded motorized sport debauchery) and 50% general computing (internet, playing mp3's, etc). I run dual 24" wide screens.

Would like to go with a silent solution on the new rig, if at all possible. I could always toss in a 5870 but then I'm stuck with a beefy videocard (loving the performance of course) but also listening to the fan. Could I use a couple lower end videocards, of a fanless variety running in SLI/Crossfire and expect to exceed the current performance of the 8800? I’m not a fan boy of either camp (ATI or Nvidia) but want a silent or close to silent solution with performance on the higher side of things. Am I asking for too much?

Any idea's or suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[Rewindlabs]

What's your budget?

You could get a decent card and use a nice aftermarket cooler with a low db high CFM fan...

I am running an Accelero S1 Rev. 2(with fans) on my 4850 and its voltmodded and overclocked to blistering speeds...the temps are staying well within spec on everything and the card can't be heard over my case fans

Now mind you i am not running the accelero alone and i do have a 140MM fan attached to the front...i also keep a 120MM fan on the back of my card due to vrams being located there and i am overclocking my vram by quite a bit so running two fans is a have to on my card

As long as your card doesn't have Vram in the rear like mine an Accelero+ a high cfm low db 140mm fan would equate to a whisper quiet GPU without sacrificing performance

Keep in mind though that you want specifically the S1 Rev. 2 because for some reason Accelero's other coolers are quite sub par...the Twin turbo for instance compared to the S1 Rev. 2 with a single 140MM is a one sided battle with the TT being louder and less efficient at cooling by a large margin compared to the S1

So yeah i recommend picking out a GPU compatible with the S1 along with a quality fan and you would have a setup to meet your needs perfectly...

 

[Shadowssong]

Maybe the VaporX 5870 will be quiet, I would wait for the reviews of it. There is also a thread about it here somewhere.

 

[JaguarSKX]

The HD 5850 is pretty quiet. I really don't hear it when I play Fallout 3. If I turn down the volume then I can sort of hear it, but it is still pretty quiet. Oh, and I didn't not bother closing my PC case yet so I'm sure putting the side panel back on will eliminate most of what little noise is leaking out.