8800 GT w/New Cooler vs 8800 GTS G92

[Herrterror]

Got an 8800 GT for Christmas; it was ordered on BestBuy.com and picked up in-store. Was going to put it in my HTPC. The thing is loud. I figured it would be, but not like a this, a lawnmower.

Should I invest in an aftermarket cooler (like HR-03GT) or exchange for an 8800 GTS G92?

It's already opened. I can't seem to get a clear answer over phone from Best Buy support regarding my return/exchange options. I know what the site says, but I'm sure with pressure your options broaden. I just want to mitigate the sound, but the aftermarket coolers look like they take up so much space that they block further PCI slot use...

 

[Capt Caveman]

You'll be charged with a 15% restocking fee, so you're better off just buying an aftermarket cooler.

Yes, the aftermarket cooler will take up another slot but the 8800GTS uses a dual-slot cooler so you'll lose a pci slot either way.

 

[ayabe]

I hate to bash someone based on a subjective opinion but the 8800GT isn't loud and if you think it is you've never owned a high end card.

Make sure you have the new BIOS but the fan is inaudible under 45% or so.

People really make way too big of a deal about the noise.

 

[lavaheadache]

Originally posted by: ayabe
I hate to bash someone based on a subjective opinion but the 8800GT isn't loud and if you think it is you've never owned a high end card.

Make sure you have the new BIOS but the fan is inaudible under 45% or so.

People really make way too big of a deal about the noise.

i second this!!

 

[maevinj]

Originally posted by: ayabe
I hate to bash someone based on a subjective opinion but the 8800GT isn't loud and if you think it is you've never owned a high end card.

Make sure you have the new BIOS but the fan is inaudible under 45% or so.

People really make way too big of a deal about the noise.

+1

 

[shabby]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
You'll be charged with a 15% restocking fee, so you're better off just buying an aftermarket cooler.

Yes, the aftermarket cooler will take up another slot but the 8800GTS uses a dual-slot cooler so you'll lose a pci slot either way.

Theres no restocking fee at bestbuy, i just returned my gt couple weeks ago. Just return the card and go for the gts.

Originally posted by: ayabe
I hate to bash someone based on a subjective opinion but the 8800GT isn't loud and if you think it is you've never owned a high end card.

Make sure you have the new BIOS but the fan is inaudible under 45% or so.

People really make way too big of a deal about the noise.

At 45% it might not be loud but its not running cool either. My gts is running the same temps at load then my gt was at idle.
If you decide to keep the gt i suggest you go with the accelero s1 + a 120mm fan, its a much better/cheaper alternative to the hr03 gt.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: lavaheadache

Originally posted by: ayabe
I hate to bash someone based on a subjective opinion but the 8800GT isn't loud and if you think it is you've never owned a high end card.

Make sure you have the new BIOS but the fan is inaudible under 45% or so.

People really make way too big of a deal about the noise.

i second this!!

Originally posted by: maevinj

+1

So, the card is too loud for the OP's taste... The GT was too loud IMO as well which is really unacceptable, especially considering that there are quieter, better performing cards out there. The only reason that a card should be 'loud' is because it's a monster performer that just can't be cooled quietly. Midrange performers produced on new, lower power, less heat producing processes should be next to silent. The only reason the GT is loud is because it uses the cheapest cooling unit they could possibly get away with. Acceptance of low quality, inadequate, and noisy cooling solutions is the best way to ensure that we continue to get them.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: lavaheadache

Originally posted by: ayabe
I hate to bash someone based on a subjective opinion but the 8800GT isn't loud and if you think it is you've never owned a high end card.

Make sure you have the new BIOS but the fan is inaudible under 45% or so.

People really make way too big of a deal about the noise.

i second this!!

Originally posted by: maevinj

+1

So, the card is too loud for the OP's taste... The GT was too loud IMO as well which is really unacceptable, especially considering that there are quieter, better performing cards out there. The only reason that a card should be 'loud' is because it's a monster performer that just can't be cooled quietly. Midrange performers produced on new, lower power, less heat producing processes should be next to silent. The only reason the GT is loud is because it uses the cheapest cooling unit they could possibly get away with. Acceptance of low quality, inadequate, and noisy cooling solutions is the best way to ensure that we continue to get them.

Ok, the cooling isn't inadequate, the card runs fine even if the fan never goes above 29% as with the original BIOS. I trust NVIDIA's engineers more than people who feel that the card runs too hot. This entire situation is just out of hand and ridiculous; we're talking about $220 card that does provide nearly top-tier performance. No it doesn't have as good a cooler as a GTX but it doesn't need one.

Even with at 100% the fan isn't as loud as my 1900xt at ~60%, not even close.

If you want a quiet card for HTPC get a passively cooled HD3850 or something even cheaper and be done with it.

 

[1ManArmY]

Originally posted by: maevinj

Originally posted by: ayabe
I hate to bash someone based on a subjective opinion but the 8800GT isn't loud and if you think it is you've never owned a high end card.

Make sure you have the new BIOS but the fan is inaudible under 45% or so.

People really make way too big of a deal about the noise.

+1

+1

 

[Syntax Error]

Originally posted by: ayabe
I hate to bash someone based on a subjective opinion but the 8800GT isn't loud and if you think it is you've never owned a high end card.

Make sure you have the new BIOS but the fan is inaudible under 45% or so.

People really make way too big of a deal about the noise.

:thumbsup:

I feel the same way, I find that I don't really mind the fan noise under 55%~ or so.

 

[Dinosaur]

8800gts has MUCH better cooler, hands down. In terms of quietness - it is almost inaudible at 45%.

 

[MustISO]

Are those 8800GT's with the updated fans going to be released soon? Are they out already?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: MustISO
Are those 8800GT's with the updated fans going to be released soon? Are they out already?

Yes, they are already out.

 

[darkxknight]

my HD3870 is inaudible at 40% fan speed keeping it at 38C idle and 85C at INTENSE games(crysis)(overclocked to 805/1226).

 

[nowayout99]

The GTs aren't terribly loud, but they do seem to run pretty hot. Get an after-market for the temperatures if you are anal about that sort of thing. But don't get one over just noise.

 

[Insomniator]

I dont even understand the problem with noise.. you buy the card to play games at which point you never hear it anyway. Don't leave your computer on all night or just turn the fan down when your gonna download crap.

Of course ignore all of that if you are in a dorm room with a roomate.

 

[MustISO]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: MustISO
Are those 8800GT's with the updated fans going to be released soon? Are they out already?

Yes, they are already out.

Is there any way to tell which ones have the improved fan?

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: lavaheadache

Originally posted by: ayabe
I hate to bash someone based on a subjective opinion but the 8800GT isn't loud and if you think it is you've never owned a high end card.

Make sure you have the new BIOS but the fan is inaudible under 45% or so.

People really make way too big of a deal about the noise.

i second this!!

Originally posted by: maevinj

+1

So, the card is too loud for the OP's taste... The GT was too loud IMO as well which is really unacceptable, especially considering that there are quieter, better performing cards out there. The only reason that a card should be 'loud' is because it's a monster performer that just can't be cooled quietly. Midrange performers produced on new, lower power, less heat producing processes should be next to silent. The only reason the GT is loud is because it uses the cheapest cooling unit they could possibly get away with. Acceptance of low quality, inadequate, and noisy cooling solutions is the best way to ensure that we continue to get them.

Ok, the cooling isn't inadequate, the card runs fine even if the fan never goes above 29% as with the original BIOS. I trust NVIDIA's engineers more than people who feel that the card runs too hot. This entire situation is just out of hand and ridiculous; we're talking about $220 card that does provide nearly top-tier performance. No it doesn't have as good a cooler as a GTX but it doesn't need one.

Even with at 100% the fan isn't as loud as my 1900xt at ~60%, not even close.

If you want a quiet card for HTPC get a passively cooled HD3850 or something even cheaper and be done with it.

Why should someone have to buy a lesser card because they want their card to actually be quiet? Not everyone who wants a quiet card is building a HTPC, maybe some people want a quiet gaming system... There is absolutely no excuse for the GT not to be an almost completely silent card when cards like the GTS, GTX, and Ultra exist that beat it in performance AND run quieter. The only reason is because the cooler in the GT is cheap.

Anyway... to answer the OP's question. I would return the GT to BB, and get a GTS 512. It will outperform the GT and it will run much quieter. I don't imagine that you'd have any difficulty returning anything anywhere this week, and I've never been charged a re-stocking fee at BB.

 

[programmer]

I've had the eVGA 8800 GTS 512 for a little more than a week. I think my PS fan is louder than the card. If I put my ear next to the vent on the back of the card I can hear it but otherwise it is silent.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: lavaheadache

Originally posted by: ayabe
I hate to bash someone based on a subjective opinion but the 8800GT isn't loud and if you think it is you've never owned a high end card.

Make sure you have the new BIOS but the fan is inaudible under 45% or so.

People really make way too big of a deal about the noise.

i second this!!

Originally posted by: maevinj

+1

So, the card is too loud for the OP's taste... The GT was too loud IMO as well which is really unacceptable, especially considering that there are quieter, better performing cards out there. The only reason that a card should be 'loud' is because it's a monster performer that just can't be cooled quietly. Midrange performers produced on new, lower power, less heat producing processes should be next to silent. The only reason the GT is loud is because it uses the cheapest cooling unit they could possibly get away with. Acceptance of low quality, inadequate, and noisy cooling solutions is the best way to ensure that we continue to get them.

Ok, the cooling isn't inadequate, the card runs fine even if the fan never goes above 29% as with the original BIOS. I trust NVIDIA's engineers more than people who feel that the card runs too hot. This entire situation is just out of hand and ridiculous; we're talking about $220 card that does provide nearly top-tier performance. No it doesn't have as good a cooler as a GTX but it doesn't need one.

Even with at 100% the fan isn't as loud as my 1900xt at ~60%, not even close.

If you want a quiet card for HTPC get a passively cooled HD3850 or something even cheaper and be done with it.

Why should someone have to buy a lesser card because they want their card to actually be quiet? Not everyone who wants a quiet card is building a HTPC, maybe some people want a quiet gaming system... There is absolutely no excuse for the GT not to be an almost completely silent card when cards like the GTS, GTX, and Ultra exist that beat it in performance AND run quieter. The only reason is because the cooler in the GT is cheap.

Anyway... to answer the OP's question. I would return the GT to BB, and get a GTS 512. It will outperform the GT and it will run much quieter. I don't imagine that you'd have any difficulty returning anything anywhere this week, and I've never been charged a re-stocking fee at BB.

ok you're pushing a self defeating argument, you are saying that a $220 card that offers on par performance to cards costing ~$120-300 more should also be just as quiet and basically have the same cooler. That's like comparing a Subaru STI to a BMW M3 and complaining that the STI isn't as comfortable and has more road noise. When you are getting similar performance for a much lower price you can't really complain too loudly that you're not getting the same level of "luxury". That's an unreasonable expectation.

Yes a GTX is faster and quieter perhaps, but it costs twice as much as the card we are talking about. Are you getting 2x the performance? Not even close. Depending on the game and resolution there may be virtually zero difference. The GT is a midrange, bargain card, with a cooler to match. The excuse is that it's CHEAP.

My gaming system is very quiet, with my BFG 8800GT. My ears were very happy after the switch from my 1900xt, I mean the difference is night and day. OP mentioned HTPC which is why I said that, and you don't need a gaming card for that type of machine, totally overkill. There are completely silent options available that are cheaper and will still get the job done with overhead to spare.

 

[1ManArmY]

The performance difference between the 8800 GT and the 8800 GTS 512 is insignificant and does not warrant the price difference. If you were upgrading from a 6800 GT or 7800 GTX then I would say yes go for the 8800 GTS but to go from a 8800 GT to an 8800 GTS is an insignificant gain in performance.

 

[nitromullet]

My gaming system is very quiet, with my BFG 8800GT. My ears were very happy after the switch from my 1900xt, I mean the difference is night and day.

Wow, that's a surprise... The X1900XT is about one of the loudest cards ever... I replaced the stock cooler on mine with a Zalman VF900-CU, not only was it quieter, but it cooled better. The main difference between the X1900XT and the 8800GT though is that at the time the X1900XT(X) was the hands down singe card performance leader. When it came out NVIDIA had nothing out that could touch it, so it is a bit more excusable that it was expensive and it ran hot and loud.

Owning the flagship card has pretty much always required some sort of compromise... With the 8800GTX it's the massive power consumption and sheer size of the card, and with the X1900XTX it was noise. However, the 8800GT is not such a card. The 8800GT is a mid-high performance card designed and built for the masses with average cases that might not have the best airflow. It should be a decent performer, cooled well enough that it will work in pretty much any cheap case, and given the fact that it's built on a smaller process that doesn't produce as much heat there is no excuse for it to be noisy.

All I'm saying is that NVIDIA could have put a few extra dollars into putting a cooler on the 8800GT that was a tad bit quieter. Obviously, it doesn't need a cooler like the GTX, but even at $220 (which is a lucky find for a 512MB version), it still isn't exactly a cheap piece of hardware for most people. The OP in this thread isn't the first person to mention the noise on this card, and I'm sure he won't be the last.

 

[badnewcastle]

If you hear the fan then you aren't playing your games loud enough~!

 

[ManWithNoName]

Originally posted by: Herrterror
Got an 8800 GT for Christmas; it was ordered on BestBuy.com and picked up in-store. Was going to put it in my HTPC. The thing is loud. I figured it would be, but not like a this, a lawnmower.

Should I invest in an aftermarket cooler (like HR-03GT) or exchange for an 8800 GTS G92?

It's already opened. I can't seem to get a clear answer over phone from Best Buy support regarding my return/exchange options. I know what the site says, but I'm sure with pressure your options broaden. I just want to mitigate the sound, but the aftermarket coolers look like they take up so much space that they block further PCI slot use...

You have 30 days to return you card to Best Buy without penalty, I did the same with a X1950 Pro I bought form them. There is no restocking fee, see return policy ...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...7177044087&id=cat12098

I have a 8800GTS 512MB and I have it set to run at 60% and I can't tell the difference between that and the default 29%. It's very quiet. Performance wise it's also outstanding and overclocks well. So, if you're not comfortable changing out the cooling solution on your GT this is a good option. Although it is a dual slot cooler.

If you choose to keep the GT, you could try replacing the cooler with a Vantec VF900CU which you can get at newegg for $32. Does a very good job and doesn't take up too much space.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835118001

Here's a thread with some excellent pics of the GT with the Zalman fitted ...

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=102371

 

[Martimus]

Did anyone actually read the original post? The OP is running an HTPC, and feels that his 8800GT is too loud. He is trying to figure out a way to make it quieter, and most people are saying that he needs to play games louder. I mean honestly, who throws a shoe?

Some people are saying that the GTS is much quieter, and I know that the HD 3850 is completely inaudible in my system, so either of those options might work for you. I am sorry that I don't know much about any aftermarket coolers, although I saw a thread on here about it before. I will look for it, and post it here if I find it.

I hope things work out for you!

edit: Here you go: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...0gt+aftermarket+cooler