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Thread: What's the most powerful passively cooled GPU?

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    mush-mushroom b0redom's Avatar
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    What's the most powerful passively cooled GPU?

    Hi,
    I'm considering upgrading my HTPC so it would be able to run Dolphin and some casual games rather than buying an XBone or PS4. Mostly platformers/shoot 'em ups and so on. As it's going to be in the living room, it needs to be as close to silent as possible.

    What's the most powerful GPU that's passively cooled? The Iris in my Haswell NUC leaves quite a bit to be desired!

    Ta

    b0redom

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    Oh Crumbs.... Biscuit's Avatar
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    Re: What's the most powerful passively cooled GPU?

    Dont a lot of the higher end GPUs actually shut their fans off when they are running in low power modes these day?
    When your gaming a little fan noise shouldn't be a problem right?

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    Not a good person scaryjim's Avatar
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    Re: What's the most powerful passively cooled GPU?

    There's a Sapphire card out there that they're selling as a passive R7 250, but it's actually a 7750 (i.e. it's Cape Verde Pro rather than Oland). XFX do an R7 250 passive too, but I can't find a reputable UK based retailer and I'm not sure if it's Oland or a rebadge 7750. Asus does a GTX 750 (non-ti). They all bear a noticeable premium for their passive heatsinks.

    There have, in the past, been cards of similar prowess cooled passively - ISTR a 4850, for instance.

    if you want more power than that (and Iris graphics are actually fairly sprightly, so you might find an R7 250 isn't a huge improvement), it could be worth considering buying a standard cheap R9 270 or nvidia equivalent and strapping on an aftermarket VGA cooler - there are a few hefty passive heatsinks out there that could probably cope with up to 150W....

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    root Member DanceswithUnix's Avatar
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    Re: What's the most powerful passively cooled GPU?

    Most powerful passive card I ever had was a Gigabyte 6600GT. That used Zalman cooling, and it fried itself after a couple of years. You need some cooling somewhere, just get something with a couple of really big fans on it and it shouldn't bee too noisy.

    I'm thinking something like this: http://www.ebuyer.com/623499-gigabyt...-gv-n75toc-2gi

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    Re: What's the most powerful passively cooled GPU?

    Probably looking at a 750ti as the fastest passivly, can't seem to find anything else.

    http://www.palit.biz/palit/vgapro.php?id=2378

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    Re: What's the most powerful passively cooled GPU?

    Most passively-cooled GPUs still require some degree of air to be moving through the case in order to function properly, so you won't alleviate noise completely. You can of course use larger, slow-moving case fans to reduce noise. As Biscuit say though, GPUs like the Nvidia 970 will keep their fans off when not gaming, although that's probably overkill for an HTPC system.

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    Re: What's the most powerful passively cooled GPU?

    Quote Originally Posted by DanceswithUnix View Post
    Most powerful passive card I ever had was a Gigabyte 6600GT. That used Zalman cooling, and it fried itself after a couple of years. You need some cooling somewhere, just get something with a couple of really big fans on it and it shouldn't bee too noisy.

    I'm thinking something like this: http://www.ebuyer.com/623499-gigabyt...-gv-n75toc-2gi
    I have the factory overclocked version of that card, and I can't hear any change in noise when I start furmark. The fans don't turn off completely at low temperatures (mine are at 37% when browsing) but they only climb to 45% under load.

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    Re: What's the most powerful passively cooled GPU?

    I have seen a passive HD7790 AND HD7850. PowerColor make them IIRC.

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    Anthropomorphic Personification shaithis's Avatar
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    Re: What's the most powerful passively cooled GPU?

    www.quietpc.com is probably the best place to look for the quietest parts and the selection on there isn't great.

    Like Mr Jim says, your probably better off getting something that can be silent/near silent when not gaming and put up with a bit of noise when a game is running.
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    Re: What's the most powerful passively cooled GPU?

    Someone made a passive GTX680 but it was a silly price and come with about 5kg of heatsink.

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    Re: What's the most powerful passively cooled GPU?

    There are quite a few higher end cards that are super slow or turned off on low temps; but have the power to ramp up when needed. IIRC I did see a 770gtx which had the option to have fans off below 50C... Depends mostly on your budget. My R9 290 Tri-X is not audible above the pump (A D5 Vario on 2 or 3/5) at Idle; and I dont hear it in games either. IMO Just pick one with a decent cooler? Maybe you can find a 960 DirectCU or some other custom cooled card and shouldnt break the bank either.

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    Re: What's the most powerful passively cooled GPU?

    The MSI 390's fans don't kick in until the card reaches a certain temp (60 degrees I think)

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