Why are GPU fans so LOUD!?

[zeusthunder]

I'm using 2 EVGA GTX 670 cards in SLI. Even when I'm just in Windows and the fans are at the minimum 30% RPM they are extremely loud! Now, this is compared to the rest of my system which is hardly audible at all. I'd say the GPUs at 30% RPM fan speed are probably around 40dcb. At 100% RPM it's just hilarious, they are just a little quieter than a vacuum cleaner.

Are all GPUs like this? I can understand being loud when under load, but at idle shouldn't they be almost silent? My PC would basically be inaudible at idle if it wasn't for these cards.

 

[bigshootr8]

No not all GPU's are like that I would say that graphic cards in Sli are going to be a bit louder. I would also say normally reference cards in general are a bit louder already. Graphic cards now are more smart and they have thermal ranges and when they get beyond a certain point the fan rampage goes up.

There are things you can do to help dampen the noise. There are cases like the Fractal Design Define R4 that assist with this.