Gtx 470

[Genx87]

well I almost laughed the first time I heard the gtx470 ramp up the fan speed and after a 30 seconds of furmark it was unbearable to me. during actual gaming it was obviously not as loud but well beyond what I would call acceptable. for comparison I have never heard my gtx260 fan ramp up if left on auto settings and it also runs very cool.

Which card do you have? I have the EVGA 470. I honestly cant hear it above the CPU, 120mm, and PSU fan in the case. Unless it is spun to 80-100%. Which it never does during gaming.

The fans in the case are the Intel default cooler for an 8400 and an Antec 750 watt PSU. The 120mm fan pushing air out the back runs on a medium setting. The total system's sound is very quiet imo. I have had loud systems in the past with multiple 80mm fans blaring away. This thing puts off a low hum but nothing I would consider loud. If my speakers are turned off it is barely noticeable above the ambient noise in the room.

 

[RussianSensation]

I know, I just cherry picked that bench. I'm just messing with wreckage.

haha I need to get my sense of humor back online.

 

[v8envy]

Typical gaming systems are loud. If you have something like half a dozen 80 and 92mm Delta or Sunon server fans, then yeah, a 470 isn't going to be that much of a problem.

My box is not a "silent" pc, but it is quiet enough that I have to put my hand behind it or put my ear right up to it to figure out if it's running. A card that can be heard on ANOTHER FLOOR OF THE HOUSE (see: hardocp) would be the only thing I ever hear.

 

[toyota]

Which card do you have? I have the EVGA 470. I honestly cant hear it above the CPU, 120mm, and PSU fan in the case. Unless it is spun to 80-100%. Which it never does during gaming.

The fans in the case are the Intel default cooler for an 8400 and an Antec 750 watt PSU. The 120mm fan pushing air out the back runs on a medium setting. The total system's sound is very quiet imo. I have had loud systems in the past with multiple 80mm fans blaring away. This thing puts off a low hum but nothing I would consider loud. If my speakers are turned off it is barely noticeable above the ambient noise in the room.

I had the MSI one which used the reference cooler. almost every review has mentioned that the gtx470 was pretty loud but it was a little louder than I had hoped for. to make matters worse I had to crank up the case fans to keep it cool which only added to the noise. I was so happy to put my gtx260 back in.

 

[Genx87]

I had the MSI one which used the reference cooler. almost every review has mentioned that the gtx470 was pretty loud but it was a little louder than I had hoped for. to make matters worse I had to crank up the case fans to keep it cool which only added to the noise. I was so happy to put my gtx260 back in.

Is this the one with two fans? A buddy of mine had an MSI 5900 back in the day with a two fan design. It was loud as hell and vibrated like crazy when it spun up.

/shrug

 

[toyota]

Is this the one with two fans? A buddy of mine had an MSI 5900 back in the day with a two fan design. It was loud as hell and vibrated like crazy when it spun up.

/shrug

it has the reference cooler like I said. my gtx260 also has the reference cooler if thats what you are asking.

 

[nitromullet]

It’s a lot louder than my GTX285, and it also runs hotter too. It’s also no faster overall.

A tad bit off topic, but I checked out your review http://alienbabeltech.com/main/?p=18180 where you conclude that the GTX 470 is less than stellar with some older games. I've been playing HL1 Source a but recently, and I noticed just yesterday in Afterburner that my GTX 470 is only ramping up to 400MHz on the core when I play HL1 Source. I don't know what the exact FPS is, but the game is silky smooth so I'm not really concerned with it. I haven't checked out any other older games, but I'm sure the card ramps up to the correct 3D clocks (in my case, 800MHz) in newer games - Metro 2033, STALKER CoP, Crysis Warhead, and the Heaven benchmark.

I was wondering of you're sure the card is ramping up to the proper clocks, which could explain the lack of performance you're seeing. Either way, it sounds like a driver issue that needs to be fixed.

 

[Cookie Monster]

A tad bit off topic, but I checked out your review http://alienbabeltech.com/main/?p=18180 where you conclude that the GTX 470 is less than stellar with some older games. I've been playing HL1 Source a but recently, and I noticed just yesterday in Afterburner that my GTX 470 is only ramping up to 400MHz on the core when I play HL1 Source. I don't know what the exact FPS is, but the game is silky smooth so I'm not really concerned with it. I haven't checked out any other older games, but I'm sure the card ramps up to the correct 3D clocks (in my case, 800MHz) in newer games - Metro 2033, STALKER CoP, Crysis Warhead, and the Heaven benchmark.

I was wondering of you're sure the card is ramping up to the proper clocks, which could explain the lack of performance you're seeing. Either way, it sounds like a driver issue that needs to be fixed.

Ive been noticing this too. Warcraft III for example would make my GTX470 ramp up to full 3D clocks then it drops down to 400MHz (2D performance mode). However the performance is silky smooth (GPU utilization/Vram usage is alot lower on older games too). However in modern titles, it always stays at max 3D clocks.

This could be manually fixed by changing the power management mode in NV control panel though.

 

[BFG10K]

You must be running a nearly silent system then.

Antec 902 with 2x120mm and 1x200mm fans, all on low. Not what I’d call quiet, but reasonable. The GTX470 is by far the loudest component in my system, and under load it sounds like a hair-dryer on low.

Subjectively it’s also much louder than my GTX285 was under load, and it’s also about 10C-15C hotter too.

 

[BFG10K]

I was wondering of you're sure the card is ramping up to the proper clocks, which could explain the lack of performance you're seeing. Either way, it sounds like a driver issue that needs to be fixed.

It’s possible but unlikely given I ran the Windows 7 benchmarks with the power setting set to full. If you recall, I started a thread a while ago because my clocks wouldn’t drop down to idle, and it was because of that setting.

Also XP doesn’t have the same power management as Windows 7 does, and many of the poor results were reproducible on it (see part one of that article).

 

[rickon66]

Thanks again for all of the thoughts and comments. I sent the card back yesterday, the idea of 200 degree graphic chip temps was more than I was comfortable with. Now, someone mentioned that I could get a 5870 for the same price-where?

 

[MrK6]

Thanks again for all of the thoughts and comments. I sent the card back yesterday, the idea of 200 degree graphic chip temps was more than I was comfortable with. Now, someone mentioned that I could get a 5870 for the same price-where?

There's a couple currently -
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=2130278

That's the cheapest, at $337 after cashback and it comes with AVP, however I'm not sure if that model has software voltage control (for overclocking).

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...080&CatId=3669 - this Diamond is a little more expensive ($357 after cashback), but it's a reference model and should have the software voltage control.

 

[Grooveriding]

If you are concerned about noise, the 480/470 are undeniably loud cards, I mean loud :thumbsdown:

Even at idle, you can hear them. I use two monitors, when using two monitors with the GTX 4X0 series cards, they do not fully downclock because it would cause screen flicker otherwise. This is something worth noting with these cards if you plan to have more than one monitor connected to them.

My second card does fully downclock, but the first one that handles video output will sit at the full voltage level it uses at load and 405 on the core and the full 1850 on memory it uses at load.

I use a custom fan profile and the at 'idle' the gpu is a toasty 61C and makes enough fan noise that it is distinct above the noise of the other fans in my case.

The heat/noise characteristics people mention about these cards is justified. I don't mind the noise and when I game, I use headphones so it's a non-issue, but these things are really loud once they get going with a game, hairdryer loud

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

I got my GTX470 for $234 through the Tiger Direct deal as well. Replaced my GTX260 w/ it and it's tons faster w/ everything maxed at 1920x1080 in games like Just Cause 2 and Metro 2033. Awesome card. Mine idles at around 43C w/ the fan at 50%, and I ordered one of the high airflow backplates for it from EVGA for $5, which it supposed to help drop it up to another 5C. It doesn't really seem any louder than my GTX260 was, but if I manually set it up to 100% fan, it's definitely a windtunnel sound that comes out of my case. At 50%, it's not bad at all.

Personally, I'm loving it, gave my 9 year old my GTX260 to replace his 8800GT and he's thrilled too, so it's winners all around in our house, lol.

 

[nitromullet]

The heat/noise characteristics people mention about these cards is justified. I don't mind the noise and when I game, I use headphones so it's a non-issue, but these things are really loud once they get going with a game, hairdryer loud

I agree. I had mine running on air for a while while I worked out some issues with the water block, and I couldn't wait to get it back under water because of the noise. Definitely louder than my GTX 280, 275, and HD 5870.

The only louder card I've ever owned was a X1900XTX. That stupid white cooler with the red fan was way too loud.

 

[SHAQ]

I don't believe I have ever seen above 85% fan speed with OC'd SLI and never above 85C. So it isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be. The 295 was at 100% at 85C+. The 470 should be compared to a 295/8800GT not the 200 series which had the benefit of a die shrink no less. The 260 I had was the quietest video card since at least the 6800/7900 although it is hard to remember that far back. I never heard the 260 over my 120mm front case fan at least.

 

[RussianSensation]

The problem with 5850/5870 and especially 470/480 is the cooler. Yes the chips run hot, but an aftermarket cooler will drop temperatures tremendously, even on a 5850.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermalright-spitfire_7.html

Maybe NV should consider investing in a much better heatsink next round.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Just got my 470. Damn I'm scared to open it up and deal with heatwave it's going to generate in my office.

 

[konakona]

The problem with 5850/5870 and especially 470/480 is the cooler. Yes the chips run hot, but an aftermarket cooler will drop temperatures tremendously, even on a 5850.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermalright-spitfire_7.html

Maybe NV should consider investing in a much better heatsink next round.

aren't 5850s relatively quiet without overclocking? dunno, I never bothered with it and promptly upgraded to TT Pro knowing that I was going to OC the crap out of it

Compared to the 4850 that it replaced this is quiet as hell.

that 4850 i have in my secondary system was LOUD, so I don't think that's saying much. Had that replaced with a cheap $20 S1 rev2 with a spare yate loon, runs cool and absolutely quiet. Wish same could be said about the 470, but I was told you only have more expensive aftermarket choices for these

I prefer to keep my computer on 24/7

I find it hard to believe there are people (at least those who know a thing or two about computers) that still turn computers off at night!

If I boot FreeBSD or a linux live DVD

yeah, non-windows ati drivers leave a lot to be desired.. then again, most gaming is done in windows. trivial issue IMO.

I got my 470 as I was going to leave it at school (lab) and game at night whenever I can. Didn't care about noise as school is loud to begin with. At home though, I like to listen to music and don't like the background noise fatiguing my ears - sticking with my 5850.

To me it seems we have different standards about quietness. I was mildly shocked when someone claimed 300 with stock tricools + a bunch more fans was very quiet

Mine is EVGA as well. Someone with a 480 told me he was able to undervolt AND overclock, and the fan noise didn't bother him any longer. Wonder if we could do the same on 470s...

 

[Cookie Monster]

Even at idle, you can hear them. I use two monitors, when using two monitors with the GTX 4X0 series cards, they do not fully downclock because it would cause screen flicker otherwise. This is something worth noting with these cards if you plan to have more than one monitor connected to them.

My second card does fully downclock, but the first one that handles video output will sit at the full voltage level it uses at load and 405 on the core and the full 1850 on memory it uses at load.

I use a custom fan profile and the at 'idle' the gpu is a toasty 61C and makes enough fan noise that it is distinct above the noise of the other fans in my case.

Does SLi still work if you hook up your first monitor to the first card, and second monitor to the second card? Or must you have all the monitors connected to one card?

 

[s002wjhwjh]

He prolly paid $319 or so up front so don't feel so bad about price. Show me where I can buy a GTX 470 for $234 cash with no rebate/cashback bullshit to mess with.. I'll grab a couple.

actually upfront is $299 after instant rebate, the BCB for $45, which send to paypal immediately after the purchase(least for me). $20 rebate if you want rush for $2 fee, it send it back to you within 3 days. so the final price is $234 or $236 if you rush the rebate.

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

actually upfront is $299 after instant rebate, the BCB for $45, which send to paypal immediately after the purchase(least for me). $20 rebate if you want rush for $2 fee, it send it back to you within 3 days. so the final price is $234 or $236 if you rush the rebate.

Bing requires a 60-day grace period where they hold the money in case you return the item. I've used Bing at least a dozen times and never had an issue, but it's always a 60 day wait to get your money.

Bing cashback program is ending at the end of this month tho.

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

He prolly paid $319 or so up front so don't feel so bad about price. Show me where I can buy a GTX 470 for $234 cash with no rebate/cashback bullshit to mess with.. I'll grab a couple.

I've saved a boatload of money using rebate/cashback bullshit. Shaved $200 off of a $1000 TV on Dell.com with it around XMas, and another $40+ off of the GTX470 from TigerDirect that I just got. Bing Cashback is an awesome program, works great. It's too bad it's going away, all told I've saved well over $500 using it since it started.

 

[rickon66]

Be it for better or be it for the worse, I have a XFX 5870 on the UPS truck for delivery today. I did my first and last BCB purchase and ended up spending about $50 less than what I had spent on the 470. I ended up with:
I7-930 $200
Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R $200
Corsair XMS3 6GB cas 8 $180 AR
Antec 200 case $40
CM Hyper 212 Plus cooler $20
XFX 5870 $330 BCB
Antec Quattro 850 -Already had
WD 640 Black HD-Already had
Sony DVD writer-Already had
2-120mm case fans-Already had

 

[Axon]

You'll be happy with that card. 5850/470/5870/480 are all good cards.

I am surprised at the mixed comments on the GTX 470. Of course its loud - so is my 4890. When idle, my experience with it was that it put out the usual quiet, but noticeable, "wrrrrrrr" sound. Maybe I'm just less sensitive to the issue.