Author

Topic: Best 7970 card for cooling/quiet (Read 3532 times)

legendary
Activity: 800
Merit: 1001
October 22, 2012, 11:19:41 AM
#31
I have the MSI R7970 cards (three of them)

They have a doohickey that lets you overclock them more than some of the other cards. It's some sort of voltage smoother thing. They come from the factory at 1100MHz and I run them at up to 1190MHz without trouble. 720MHs per card at 1190MHz. 700Mhz at 1160 MHz.

What memory settings are you using?

Thanks!
member
Activity: 70
Merit: 10
October 20, 2012, 10:18:05 PM
#30
MSI or Gigabyte

NOT XFX, their cards have the shittest cooling solutions

Agreed. I could not run two XFX 6950s in adjacent slots without overheating.
sr. member
Activity: 336
Merit: 253
Gone phishing...
October 20, 2012, 10:11:07 PM
#29
Custom water cooling?

Although the cooling blocks tack on a fair amount of money.
legendary
Activity: 1484
Merit: 1005
October 20, 2012, 10:08:54 PM
#28
I have this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125439

I've always preferred reference coolers, as the main heatsink directly cools the VRMs, but I went with this one. I ended up putting little aluminum RAM heatsinks on the back of the VRMs, cuz they were getting too hot. That's the only issue I've had, and once I got past that, it's the best card I've ever owned!

I can overclock it to 1200MHz, even with my low ASIC quality. I normally run it at 1050MHz @ 1050mV, tho.

You can't hear the fan < 50%. I normally run it at 60-70%, and it keeps my core between 55-60C, and my VRMs around 65-76C, depending on ambient.

I would note that most MOSFETs are rated to 125-175C...  I haven't had any problems with stability with mine running between 90-100C

You just have to make sure the surrounding components don't get too hot, but if you have the fan on 100% it should be okay
legendary
Activity: 1973
Merit: 1007
October 20, 2012, 09:38:39 PM
#27
I have this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125439

I've always preferred reference coolers, as the main heatsink directly cools the VRMs, but I went with this one. I ended up putting little aluminum RAM heatsinks on the back of the VRMs, cuz they were getting too hot. That's the only issue I've had, and once I got past that, it's the best card I've ever owned!

I can overclock it to 1200MHz, even with my low ASIC quality. I normally run it at 1050MHz @ 1050mV, tho.

You can't hear the fan < 50%. I normally run it at 60-70%, and it keeps my core between 55-60C, and my VRMs around 65-76C, depending on ambient.
I have this card as well. I run the fan at 90% and it is much less audible than the reference cooler. The only thing I don't like about the card is that you can't undervolt.
I was able to enable undervolting thru Win7 and MSI AB.

Oh yeh? I thought you were having the same problem as me. What did you have to do?
hero member
Activity: 642
Merit: 500
October 20, 2012, 04:13:00 PM
#26
I have this card as well. I run the fan at 90% and it is much less audible than the reference cooler. The only thing I don't like about the card is that you can't undervolt.
You most certainly can.
sr. member
Activity: 350
Merit: 250
Trust me, these default swaps will limit the risks
October 20, 2012, 12:07:30 PM
#25
NOT XFX, their cards have the shittest cooling solutions
+1

XFX do run hotter than any other card I've ever owned, but they have a better warranty than other cards if you live in the U.S..
Gigabyte has been doing awesome lately with their 3 fan solution.
Sapphire is also killing it with their 2 fan solution as well.
Both are also super quiet.
legendary
Activity: 1484
Merit: 1005
October 20, 2012, 11:39:03 AM
#24
MSI or Gigabyte

NOT XFX, their cards have the shittest cooling solutions
legendary
Activity: 952
Merit: 1000
October 20, 2012, 10:13:14 AM
#23
I am currently running gigabyte ghz edition windforce cards

The windforce type cards do not play well in a case, the aftermarket cooler throws the hot air into the case and it quickly becomes an oven.

Running them in open air, they are amazing. If you are going to house them, get a reference cooler so the hot air is expelled out the rear.
I have an Antec 300, and I switched the 120mm fan that normally blows right onto the GPUs backwards, so it's pulling the hot air that gets recirculated out of the case. Actually does a decent job. These cards are way better in open air, but if you have to use a case, this is what worked best for me.
full member
Activity: 784
Merit: 101
October 20, 2012, 09:57:35 AM
#22
I have the MSI R7970 cards (three of them)

They have a doohickey that lets you overclock them more than some of the other cards. It's some sort of voltage smoother thing. They come from the factory at 1100MHz and I run them at up to 1190MHz without trouble. 720MHs per card at 1190MHz. 700Mhz at 1160 MHz.
legendary
Activity: 952
Merit: 1000
October 20, 2012, 09:50:23 AM
#21
I have this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125439

I've always preferred reference coolers, as the main heatsink directly cools the VRMs, but I went with this one. I ended up putting little aluminum RAM heatsinks on the back of the VRMs, cuz they were getting too hot. That's the only issue I've had, and once I got past that, it's the best card I've ever owned!

I can overclock it to 1200MHz, even with my low ASIC quality. I normally run it at 1050MHz @ 1050mV, tho.

You can't hear the fan < 50%. I normally run it at 60-70%, and it keeps my core between 55-60C, and my VRMs around 65-76C, depending on ambient.
I have this card as well. I run the fan at 90% and it is much less audible than the reference cooler. The only thing I don't like about the card is that you can't undervolt.
I was able to enable undervolting thru Win7 and MSI AB.
legendary
Activity: 1973
Merit: 1007
October 20, 2012, 09:38:18 AM
#20
I have this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125439

I've always preferred reference coolers, as the main heatsink directly cools the VRMs, but I went with this one. I ended up putting little aluminum RAM heatsinks on the back of the VRMs, cuz they were getting too hot. That's the only issue I've had, and once I got past that, it's the best card I've ever owned!

I can overclock it to 1200MHz, even with my low ASIC quality. I normally run it at 1050MHz @ 1050mV, tho.

You can't hear the fan < 50%. I normally run it at 60-70%, and it keeps my core between 55-60C, and my VRMs around 65-76C, depending on ambient.

I have this card as well. I run the fan at 90% and it is much less audible than the reference cooler. The only thing I don't like about the card is that you can't undervolt.
sr. member
Activity: 336
Merit: 250
October 19, 2012, 02:05:25 PM
#19
That's only a portion of it.  Wink  71Ghash total.

Scroll up like 4 posts.

sorry did not see that
legendary
Activity: 952
Merit: 1000
October 19, 2012, 02:01:56 PM
#18
That's only a portion of it.  Wink  71Ghash total.

Scroll up like 4 posts.
sr. member
Activity: 336
Merit: 250
October 19, 2012, 01:47:20 PM
#17
MSI 7970 Lightning Edition

and it is also good for overclocking

I have 32 6970 Lightning Edition cards.  The heatsinks are fantastic and the card is made very *very* well.  That being said, the difference between that heatsink and the Sapphire card that I linked isn't very large.  It's not worth the extra $100 premium unless you plan on attempting some extreme overlocking.  I'd gladly put one in my machine for gaming and would certainly pay the extra money for it because the components are top-notch.  I wouldn't spend the extra money for mining though.

I paid the premium on the 6970s because Bitcoin was in a bubble.  They paid themselves off quickly.  With today's mining conditions and with dedicated ASICs around the corner, I wouldn't do it.

how many Gigahash do you have in total.
hero member
Activity: 642
Merit: 500
October 19, 2012, 01:27:49 PM
#16
MSI 7970 Lightning Edition

and it is also good for overclocking

I have 32 6970 Lightning Edition cards.  The heatsinks are fantastic and the card is made very *very* well.  That being said, the difference between that heatsink and the Sapphire card that I linked isn't very large.  It's not worth the extra $100 premium unless you plan on attempting some extreme overlocking.  I'd gladly put one in my machine for gaming and would certainly pay the extra money for it because the components are top-notch.  I wouldn't spend the extra money for mining though.

I paid the premium on the 6970s because Bitcoin was in a bubble.  They paid themselves off quickly.  With today's mining conditions and with dedicated ASICs around the corner, I wouldn't do it.
sr. member
Activity: 336
Merit: 250
October 19, 2012, 04:58:45 AM
#15
MSI 7970 Lightning Edition

and it is also good for overclocking
hero member
Activity: 991
Merit: 500
October 19, 2012, 03:46:47 AM
#14
Best cooled/quiet 7970 is a watercooled 7970 XD
legendary
Activity: 1946
Merit: 1006
Bitcoin / Crypto mining Hardware.
legendary
Activity: 800
Merit: 1001
October 19, 2012, 12:58:41 AM
#12
What memory settings are you using?  I can't seem to get mine below about 700...

Thanks!
-EP
legendary
Activity: 1946
Merit: 1006
Bitcoin / Crypto mining Hardware.
October 18, 2012, 03:27:52 PM
#11
Wow thats a big GPU mining setup Smiley How do you do thermal management of your home?

That's only a portion of it.  Wink  71Ghash total.

Maintaining thermal management without making it too hot/cold has been a learning experience.  Smiley  I've been doing it for about a year and a half now though.

That's epic my friend  Smiley
hero member
Activity: 642
Merit: 500
October 18, 2012, 12:24:41 AM
#10
Wow thats a big GPU mining setup Smiley How do you do thermal management of your home?

That's only a portion of it.  Wink  71Ghash total.

Maintaining thermal management without making it too hot/cold has been a learning experience.  Smiley  I've been doing it for about a year and a half now though.
member
Activity: 70
Merit: 10
October 17, 2012, 11:07:20 PM
#9
I'm running a Gigabyte GV-R797OC-3GD and I've been happy with it. Topped out at about 1100 MHz on stock voltage. No problems regarding thermal management, but I'm running a good amount of case air flow. The video card is quieter than the case fans in my instance.
legendary
Activity: 1946
Merit: 1006
Bitcoin / Crypto mining Hardware.
October 17, 2012, 10:41:26 PM
#8
  I have 25 of them and they all stay cool/quiet. 

Wow thats a big GPU mining setup Smiley How do you do thermal management of your home?
legendary
Activity: 952
Merit: 1000
October 17, 2012, 10:36:48 PM
#7
Use these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102982&name=Desktop-Graphics-Cards


They are a reference PCB, but they have a better heatsink and quiet fans.  I have 25 of them and they all stay cool/quiet.  I would not recommend them if you're going to put them inside a case though (it'll be difficult to vent the heat).  If you're going to do that, stick with a reference cooler.

The Gigabyte cards and Powercolor cards that use 3 fans have their own proprietary method of sending fan RPM readings, so programs like CGMiner that read & control fan speed from ADL will give crazy readings for them (like this):

Code:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 [P]ool management [G]PU management [S]ettings [D]isplay options [Q]uit
 GPU  0:  53.0C 9873RPM | 307.4/139.0Mh/s | A:26576 R:395 HW:0 U: 1.86/m I: 8
 GPU  1:  59.0C  70%    | 307.1/138.9Mh/s | A:26564 R:431 HW:0 U: 1.86/m I: 8
 GPU  2:  60.0C  70%    | 307.8/139.3Mh/s | A:26479 R:391 HW:0 U: 1.85/m I: 8
 GPU  3:  53.0C 289855RPM | 308.5/139.2Mh/s | A:26651 R:405 HW:0 U: 1.86/m I: 8
 GPU  4:  59.0C  70%    | 307.1/138.9Mh/s | A:26394 R:388 HW:0 U: 1.85/m I: 8
 GPU  5:  53.0C 5015479RPM | 307.0/138.8Mh/s | A:26429 R:383 HW:0 U: 1.85/m I: 8
 GPU  6:  58.0C  70%    | 307.3/138.7Mh/s | A:26229 R:421 HW:0 U: 1.83/m I: 8
 GPU  7:  61.0C    0RPM | 307.4/138.6Mh/s | A:26300 R:379 HW:0 U: 1.84/m I: 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Also, most of the Gigabyte cards with "WINDFORCE" coolers (like the one above) use *very* cheap fans and they tend to lightly rub on the fan shroud.  The cooler is effective, but the fans are crap.  I was sick of dealing with it, so I sold all of mine (the Gigabyte cards).  They usually work fine if they're mounted upside down in an ATX case though.

My Gigabyte WINDFORCE Tri-fan doesn't have that issue. Cgminer correctly reports it as set to 70%, 3430RPM.
hero member
Activity: 642
Merit: 500
October 17, 2012, 07:25:38 PM
#6
Use these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102982&name=Desktop-Graphics-Cards


They are a reference PCB, but they have a better heatsink and quiet fans.  I have 25 of them and they all stay cool/quiet.  I would not recommend them if you're going to put them inside a case though (it'll be difficult to vent the heat).  If you're going to do that, stick with a reference cooler.

The Gigabyte cards and Powercolor cards that use 3 fans have their own proprietary method of sending fan RPM readings, so programs like CGMiner that read & control fan speed from ADL will give crazy readings for them (like this):

Code:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 [P]ool management [G]PU management [S]ettings [D]isplay options [Q]uit
 GPU  0:  53.0C 9873RPM | 307.4/139.0Mh/s | A:26576 R:395 HW:0 U: 1.86/m I: 8
 GPU  1:  59.0C  70%    | 307.1/138.9Mh/s | A:26564 R:431 HW:0 U: 1.86/m I: 8
 GPU  2:  60.0C  70%    | 307.8/139.3Mh/s | A:26479 R:391 HW:0 U: 1.85/m I: 8
 GPU  3:  53.0C 289855RPM | 308.5/139.2Mh/s | A:26651 R:405 HW:0 U: 1.86/m I: 8
 GPU  4:  59.0C  70%    | 307.1/138.9Mh/s | A:26394 R:388 HW:0 U: 1.85/m I: 8
 GPU  5:  53.0C 5015479RPM | 307.0/138.8Mh/s | A:26429 R:383 HW:0 U: 1.85/m I: 8
 GPU  6:  58.0C  70%    | 307.3/138.7Mh/s | A:26229 R:421 HW:0 U: 1.83/m I: 8
 GPU  7:  61.0C    0RPM | 307.4/138.6Mh/s | A:26300 R:379 HW:0 U: 1.84/m I: 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Also, most of the Gigabyte cards with "WINDFORCE" coolers (like the one above) use *very* cheap fans and they tend to lightly rub on the fan shroud.  The cooler is effective, but the fans are crap.  I was sick of dealing with it, so I sold all of mine (the Gigabyte cards).  They usually work fine if they're mounted upside down in an ATX case though.
full member
Activity: 126
Merit: 100
October 17, 2012, 05:47:23 PM
#5
Something with double or triple fans

not only do the fans spin slower (so quieter) it gives you backup should a fan go down.
legendary
Activity: 952
Merit: 1000
October 17, 2012, 01:49:32 PM
#4
Thanks for the reply.  Yeah, I've been hearing good things about Gigabyte and MSI Lightning.  Voltage over/unders, memory downlocks, and good VRM cooling.

-EP
Gigabyte's been making some really good shit the past few years, GPUs or anything else. My brother's also got a Gigabyte 7770, factory OC to 1100MHz, and it's also rock solid, and very cool.
legendary
Activity: 800
Merit: 1001
October 17, 2012, 01:44:13 PM
#3
Thanks for the reply.  Yeah, I've been hearing good things about Gigabyte and MSI Lightning.  Voltage over/unders, memory downlocks, and good VRM cooling.

-EP
legendary
Activity: 952
Merit: 1000
October 17, 2012, 01:42:38 PM
#2
I have this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125439

I've always preferred reference coolers, as the main heatsink directly cools the VRMs, but I went with this one. I ended up putting little aluminum RAM heatsinks on the back of the VRMs, cuz they were getting too hot. That's the only issue I've had, and once I got past that, it's the best card I've ever owned!

I can overclock it to 1200MHz, even with my low ASIC quality. I normally run it at 1050MHz @ 1050mV, tho.

You can't hear the fan < 50%. I normally run it at 60-70%, and it keeps my core between 55-60C, and my VRMs around 65-76C, depending on ambient.
legendary
Activity: 800
Merit: 1001
October 17, 2012, 12:27:36 PM
#1
What's the best 7970 out there that keeps things cool enough for a good overclock, and who's fans aren't as loud as the 6990s I used to have.

I know asking for good cooling at load and for them to be quiet is quite the request, but I just wanted to get an idea...

Thanks!
-EP
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