Buying a new GPU... which are quieter?

[tinynja98]

Hello,

I am willing to buy a new GPU to replace my AMD Radeon HD 6970, first to get a more powerful one, and second to get rid of the noise generated by that graphics card.

I have heard that AMD graphics card are louder than Nvidia graphics card. Am i wrong?

I have been recommended to take the GTX 970 or the R9 390, but how do they compare to my current GPU in terms of noise level?

Are there brands (for example MSI, Sapphire, EVGA, etc.) that are quieter than others? Would buying the "default", "stock" GPU be recommended? (like nvidia gtx 970, no MSI or such...)

Thanks for your answers!

 

[geofelt]

The more modern Maxwell nvidia cards use less power.
That results in less heat and noise compared to equivalent performing amd cards.

A GTX970 is an appropriate jump over your 6970.
Look for benchmarks comparing GTX970 to R9-390.
The results should be comparable.
If your case has very good ventilation, you can pick a card with a fan type cooler.
That cools the card quite well, but your case needs to deal with getting the heat out.
If you case cooling is limited, a card with a blower cooler might be better, it sends the hot air out of the case directly.

Factory overclocked cards will run hotter and noisier than stock cards. That said, you get good value from the price premium paid.
All in all, I don't think noise is a big issue like it used to be.

On GTX970, I like EVGA, primarily for their usa support and forum.

 

[haider95]

+1 for the EVGA SC 970, using one now.

- Coil whine isnt loud enough to warrant skipping the 970
- The reference model graphic cards are the loudest (Avoid those)
- Most of 970 series graphics cards are designed to run with the fans off, (until the temperature reaches 65c at which point the fans spring into action again)
- 970 and 390 trade blows, go for whichever side you're rooting for. I went with nvidia because of the better driver support for new games.

Recommendation:

GTX970: Gigabyte G1 edition with 3 fans will be the most quiet one. just make sure that your case has enough room to house that behemoth,
R9 390: Sapphire nitro series. Great brand with great products.

 

[XiPH3R]

Hello,

I am willing to buy a new GPU to replace my AMD Radeon HD 6970, first to get a more powerful one, and second to get rid of the noise generated by that graphics card.

I have heard that AMD graphics card are louder than Nvidia graphics card. Am i wrong?

I have been recommended to take the GTX 970 or the R9 390, but how do they compare to my current GPU in terms of noise level?

Are there brands (for example MSI, Sapphire, EVGA, etc.) that are quieter than others? Would buying the "default", "stock" GPU be recommended? (like nvidia gtx 970, no MSI or such...)

Thanks for your answers!

AMD pretty much learnt the lesson with the r9 290(X). Those were really fast and ran loud and hot with the reference coolers.
this time with the r9 3xx they launched them directly with the board partners(sapphire, msi etc) so there are no reference model available

so basically noise is a lot less and the previous generation card


its best to go with the non reference/non stock models(as they run a lot cooler and quieter) plus they look good too.
for AMD i prefer the Sapphire r9 390 trix and the asus strix r9 390. both are great performers

and for Nvidia go with the msi, evga,gigabyte versions

its wise to go with AMD cause it runs faster and has 8gigs of vram(just for future proofing). plus crossfire scaling is better than nvidia at this point.

here is a comparision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9cKZiJw6Pk

 

[tinynja98]

Thank you all for your answers they were all very helpful!!!! 😀