PowerColor HD3650 video card - LOUD!

[mattyb]

I've recently installed a Powercolor HD3650 video card (my old nVidia 7600GS died) and the fan is really loud - far and away the loudest fan in the box. The nVidia was passively cooled so was perfect.

I've tried numerous methods to slow the fan down in software using Rivatuner, Speedfan etc, but nothing has been successful.

On the other hand, the picture quality of the HD3650 is superb, and worked without any significant adjustments to the default settings - basically plug and play.

My setup is SD only, I feed a CRT tv from the TV-out on the video card. So I need an analog output, hence the HD3650 (AGP, TV-out both required).

Does anyone know of other options that I might consider?

The video card needs to be:

-AGP
-Analog out (via S-video TV-out or otherwise)
-Silent!! (or with a very quiet fan)
-Suitable for use with GB-PVR

I can't seem to find anything - so all options will be considered!

Thanks in advance.

[stustunz]

go buy a bigger fan
disconnect the fan on the card if it has a plug then just plug the new fan into that
hot glue or cable tie the new fan in place it doesnt have to be that close as long as it blowing cold air on the heat sink it will do its job and been a bigger fan it will move a lot more air without the noise
if you spend a bit more you can get the fans with temperature adjustment

[whurlston]

You should also be able to find a passive heat sink kit for that video card.

[mattyb]

stustunz - I could certainly give that a try.

whurlston - I've searched online but can't find one that fits. Do you know where I might find one?

[whurlston]

whurlston - I've searched online but can't find one that fits. Do you know where I might find one?

Arctic Cooling Accelero S1 Rev. 2 Fanless Passive Heatpipe VGA Cooler for ATI and Nvidia.

http://www.quietpc.com/us-en-usd/product...acc-s1rev2

[Snooze]

And here is one with fans... More expensive than the passive option. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...Tpk=hd3650

[Elmo Putney]

You could also try RBE bios editor and set up a custom fan profile for the card along with custom power states if you wish.
I run a 4670 which out of the box was noisy but with the right profile it can be whisper quiet without toasting it.

In the end I ended up buying a t-balancer big NG http://www.t-balancer.com/english/index.htm to control all the fans in my box. A little pricey but I think its a great investment.

[mattyb]

Elmo - the Powercolor card I have has only a two-wire cable attached to the board. I've read that the fan speed can't be controlled in software/BIOS if this is the case. Would you agree?

I'm hesitant to start messing with the BIOS if the outcome can't be achieved.


Whurlston / Snooze - thanks for the suggestions but I've checked and these coolers won't fit in my case.

Next thing to try is jigging another fan in there ala stustunz's idea...

[rookie]

Next thing to try is jigging another fan in there ala stustunz's idea...

You could try adding a fan controller too:

[INDENT]http://www.xoxide.com/sunbeam-pci-fan-controller.html[/INDENT]

You'll need a fan with a 3 pin connector.

[stustunz]

yeah get the controller also
you may even be able to just use the controller but the problem is the fans are often to small hence the reason they have to spin so fast