SLI Temp and Noise question

[VonBlade]

One of the big problems with graphics cards is their heat and therefore noise under load. So I'm wondering if anyone can advise about something I've been wondering.

Currently my 4850 runs (for example) Grid 1680, 4AA pretty well. But unfortunately it stresses the card so much the fan whines and churns.

If I went CF (4870x2) or SLI (2x275) but at the same settings, would the cards not get as hot or whine so much because each card is only doing half the effort??

Similarly, but alternatively, would a MUCH more powerful card (285 or 4890) not get as hot/loud under the same settings because it's got more overhead?

I know this sounds stupid, and theoretically the more powerful card should be quieter, but the SLI/CF question I'm uncertain of. Watercooling would certainly solve the noise issue but comes in rather more expensive than just getting another card.

Thanks in advance people.

VB

 

[Freak]

Thought in my head - it would work.

There are two cards so twice as many heat sources.

The card wouldnt get as hot, but there would be two things that are idleing at 50ish

What about underclocking, so that the preformance of both is the same as one. By underclocking it will be cooler.

 

[k4p84]

fan speeds and therefore temperature and fan noise could be changed using speedfan / rivatuner.

An aftermarket cooler could quieten things down and cool better.

Having coolers that expel heat out of the pci bracket help more than those that just dump heat into the case.

Sound proofing your case can help with the noise levels if they are really too much for you. And no this won't cook your pc. Like always a good supply of air will keep your pc cool.

All high end cards will be noisy, there is no getting away from it. They produce heat and therefore need to be cooled.

I would say the best thing would be:

Ensure your case cooling was good.

Sound proof your case.

Install Riva tuner and tune your fans to a level you can cope with.

Review the temps and decide if they are acceptable.

 

[VonBlade]

I know I can provide great cooling and soundproofing. I'm just curious if the theory of two cards running would not get as hot, and therefore noisy, as one.

Or if they both just run balls-out regardless.

Thanks for the advice though. Come on review chaps who have tested these things...

 

[esdeexx]

SLi/CF running hot, believe me. My second gt8800 in SLi was overheating (temps around 90-100C). Right, not the primary card, the secondary one.

1 card - almost always less heat (exception might be cards, that exhoust hot air out to the rear)

 

[monkey7]

More cards is more heat, the load will not make that much of a difference. It would be way cheaper to just put an aftermarket cooler on. Or at least that's what I did with my whine.... errrr, HD4850

 

[VonBlade]

Thank you!

And curses