Hi All,

My Sapphire HD 4670 Ultimate (passively cooled) has just broken so I have to get a new card. The options are

Passively cooled:

Sapphire HD 6670
Sapphire HD 6570

If I am honest though, I would like a bit of an upgrade in terms of performance. The 6570 seems to be similar to the 4670, and the 6670 has a truly massive heat sink and seems to be a risky option.

If I get one with a fan I am going to get the best performance for my budget. I was thinking of a Gigabyte 6770 1GB with a 10 cm fan (supposed to be 'virtually silent' in the marketing language used).

http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/product ... id=3933#ov

I wondered if anyone had any experience with Gigabyte graphics cards and had any opinions how quiet their fans are?

Other suggestions appreciated.

Thanks

Why not just go for the passive 6770 that Gigabyte makes?

http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/product ... id=3861#ov

I've got one. As well as the 5770 version which the 6770 was just a rebrand of, and it's brilliant.
I have had to ziptie some fans on their to deal with playing BF3 and Australian summer.

But no fan is always going to be quieter than a 10cm fan.

If you want more performance you could go with PowerColor SCS3 AX6850 1GBD5-S3DH Radeon HD 6850, personally i wouldn't run it fanless for gaming, i would just strap 120mm low rpm fan with zip ties, im running a Passive GTS450 with a Scythe Kama Flex PWM (check sig), running @ 250rpm, in my HTPC never have risen above 55C, probably would in gaming... but also running the fan extremely low, a Scythe SY1225SL12SL 120mm "Slipstream" 500rpm Case Fan or if you manage to find a Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120 mm D1225C12B1AP-11 (500 rpm) (ideal for horizontal placement since it comes with ball bearing) should be more than enough to cool it, and be virtually inaudible.