View Full Version : Quiet SLI Project
In an effort to tame the heat and noise of an SLI system, I set out with 3DCool.com to make a dual GPU system more livable. Read the article to find out if we were able to Quiet SLI...
http://www.nvnews.net/articles/quietsli/images/3dcoolsli.jpg
http://www.nvnews.net/articles/quietsli/index.shtml
zoomy942
06-16-05, 09:54 AM
i loved the article. i am a HUGE advocate of quiet systems. people think its okay to have a "hair-dryer" pc.. but man, once you go silent-pc, you'll never go back.
great job on an article that had a topic that noone usually covers. well done.
Thanks. I was hoping I would get at least one response like yours. (salute)
I really did neglect the noise aspect of system building. I suppose anything after the Alpha PAL6035 with a Cuisanart on it was "quiet".
Thanks. I was hoping I would get at least one response like yours. (salute)
I really did neglect the noise aspect of system building. I suppose anything after the Alpha PAL6035 with a Cuisanart on it was "quiet".
While I enjoyed the article, I was hoping it would touch on 6800GT SLI cooling/noise.
What about solutions for non ASUS users. I used to have the MSI, (I now run the DFI) but there is not enough space between the cards for the Arctic cooling solution. I WAS able to fit (barely) two Zalman 700's in the case (had to mount the bottom card rear bracket upside down) but ended up using an Arctic on the bottom card, and the 700 on the top. As for CPU, I am using the 7700 ALCU. Sure it's quiet, but I'd like to try the TT you used in this with a 120mm fan. (I'm running a clawhammer FX55)
As for powersupply, that one looks wicked. Right now I am usign a TT W0049 680Watt supply, which is nice and all, but I find it is loud (the rear fan spins up...) That could be as a result of ambient heat from the video cards and the Zalman Flower fan.
Is there a solution for DFI/MSI/Gigabyte ownews who want air cooling? The hot spot betweent the two cards is BRUTAL!
giz :afro:
The Asus was selected specifically for the additional space. With the MSI and DFI, you are limited to the Zalman and a couple of newer Zalman-style competitors. I do not think the new Thermalright will clear thecard above with single slot spacing, we'll see.
The stock fan on the 6600GT is as loud as the 6800GT I used to have. The noise reductions results should carry over. You may also want to look into a case that allows for video card ventilation. This V1000Plus has a PCI slot heat extracting fan. I did not use it as it would interfere with the NV6 exhaust.
saturnotaku
06-16-05, 01:08 PM
Great article, Brian. Those tips and products are definitely great to keep in mind for those of us who would rather not dabble in the darker arts of water cooling. :)
Jadasin
06-16-05, 01:18 PM
Awesome article. I am extremely new to building my own pc, I just upgraded to an A8N board with an AMD64 3500 + (my boyfriends old cpu while I wait for my 4800x2 that is already ordered), a BFG ultra, 2 gigs of Corsair C2, all tucked into a Lian Li V1000.
Unfortunately the retailer I bought my case from didn't have the Plus variant and I didn't even know it existed untill I read your initial review on the case it self, regardless I absolutely love my Lian and plan on using this article for getting the cooling down along with the noise. I love the wire loom by the way, I went the same way but with Pink loom.
Thanks a bunch for the great info
Excellent article. The noise issue is one of the reasons I haven't gone SLI yet so it's good to see that you can make a SLI system quiet. Nice job.
I would have liked to have seen a tally of the costs involved in this "mod" listed at the end of the article.
Gentle
I would have liked to have seen a tally of the costs involved in this "mod" listed at the end of the article.
Gentle
Not a bad idea. I may assemble a price list for the heavy hitters.
For the XP90 w/Panaflo, (2) AC NV6s and the SilenX case fans, it is $167.50 before shipping at 3DCool.com. That seems like a bit of money, but taking into consideration that many cases are pushing $200, it scales with other system costs.
Again, had I known then, I would have spent this kind of money a long time ago...
PSYCHODAD
06-16-05, 05:04 PM
Nice article BrianG. I'm also in the camp that prefers/needs a quiet pc. My first gaming pc was so noisy it made it very unpleasant to use. Believe it had a Tt Volcano heatsink/fan, and at high rpms it was really LOUD.
Current pc although not totally quiet is well below the threshold of annoyance.
Nice article BrianG. I'm also in the camp that prefers/needs a quiet pc. My first gaming pc was so noisy it made it very unpleasant to use. Believe it had a Tt Volcano heatsink/fan, and at high rpms it was really LOUD.
Current pc although not totally quiet is well below the threshold of annoyance.
Eventually, I would like to do a few comparos between different silent solutions. I've got the stealth system bug, but I'm skeered of water. :D
GlowStick
06-17-05, 06:05 PM
Great read BrianG, how did you get ahold of a X2 4800+ anyways :o
Great read BrianG, how did you get ahold of a X2 4800+ anyways :o
I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you...
:) YOu could have asked me how to measure sound. I drafted a method how to measure sound, quite a comnprehensive one depending on environment, SLM and technique using various IEC, ANSI and ISO standards as reference.
Was praised by a person who reviewed in the US, Curtis Stris or something a NRTL bought out by our company. :)
But getting back to Qiuet computing. Nice job.
Pls do tell how did u get that 4800+? :)
:) YOu could have asked me how to measure sound. I drafted a method how to measure sound, quite a comnprehensive one depending on environment, SLM and technique using various IEC, ANSI and ISO standards as reference.
Was praised by a person who reviewed in the US, Curtis Stris or something a NRTL bought out by our company. :)
But getting back to Qiuet computing. Nice job.
Pls do tell how did u get that 4800+? :)
Now you tell me... :afro:
Thanks for the compliment. I got the X2 4800+ from the CPU fairy.
Can u put in a word for me about getting me one of them spanking new 4800+ ? huh huh huh?
nVestor
06-19-05, 01:30 AM
Really great project there Brian. Kudos to you and your team. :thumbsup: Gives those who are still concern about going by way of watercooling options and those who do watercool, even more ways to stay cool&quite. :cool:
Is there a passive heatsink solution to get rid of the chipset fan? I would assume that it is very noisy.
Is there a passive heatsink solution to get rid of the chipset fan? I would assume that it is very noisy.
I looked into it. The replacement that Asus sent does drop the rpm to 5300, major improvement in noise level. But I realized that while passive would be my preference, the AC6's are too close to the chipset to allow for any of the taller passive heatsinks and would block immediate airflow.
I am happy with the new chipset cooler Asus sent.
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