Heat sink vs fan?

[grimreep3r]

I am looking to get a new video card. Both are the same specs wise, but one has a fan and one has a heat sink/radiator.

Is there any disadvantage to the heat sink option? I have had to replace the fan on my old video card a few times and it would be nice to have to worry about that anymore.

Thanx

 

[Billb2]

Though both will use air from inside your case for cooling, the performance of the cooler without the fan will be more dependent on case air temperature.

 

[qbfx]

Depends on the card you're getting, if it has tendency to get hot, then you'd better get the one with the fan (and good fanless cards are difficult to find). Depends on general ventilation of your case, etc. Are you talking about 8800GT ? silent ECS 8800GT OC ? If yes, go for it.

 

[grimreep3r]

Thanx for the input.

I am getting a 8600GT card. Was looking at the EVGA, the ZOTAC and the MSI card.

The MSI card is fanless. I think I will go with the EVGA simply because of the warranty. I read somewhere that they cover the fan in the warranty.

Thanx

 

[v8envy]

Even if the fan is covered you still lose weeks shipping the card in and waiting for a replacement. I know, I have a fan failing in a 7600GT EVGA.

Anyhoo, I got the ECS 8800GT and I could not be happier. Fanless it runs at about 58C under load, but adding the two 80mm fans (supplied) has it running at 43C under load! I was blown away. The heatsink is actually cool to the touch even under operation. I didn't believe the 43c on the core, I thought it was a faulty sensor. The heatsink was 27C using a medical thermometer.

You can always add low speed low noise and/or cheap fans to a fanless card -- PCI slot 120mm fan brackets, e.g.

 

[grimreep3r]

I just bought a new Dell 530 with the quad core. It has a case fan and looks like it has good air flow. I play some games, although I am not a power video person, if I was I would go with the 8800. Mostly going to play Flight Sim X and FPS games like FEAR.

G