30inch and quiet, wtb advice now! :)

dadogh · Post by **dadogh** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:32 am

Hello!
Just bought all the components for a new computer, except the graphic card. In short: dual core 8500, 4 gb ram, motherboard with 2 16x pce (for future sli/CF), coolermaster cosmos.

I have been looking for two weeks now for a graphic card that will suit my needs but have not been lucky. I have a hp 30 inch monitor which I run at 2560x. My main priorities is to run World of Warcraft at full resolution, with all textures and stuff at maximum settings and all eye-candy turned on. Second priority is to have as silent computer as possible.
I have mainly looked at 4870 as 4870x2 just seems to run too hot and too noisy. Now however I start to think that also 4870 is overkill since wow is not a very demanding game compared to newer games. But then I heard that 4850 runs very hot too, ARGH. At the same time I want to buy a graphic card that is on par with my new computer.

So what is ur pro suggestion to me? Doesnt matter if it is nvidia or ati.
So to sum up: A graphic card that runs wow at maximum and at the same time is quiet. (have no problem to use aftermarket coolers like accelero for example)

Regards
Kristoffer

bonestonne · Post by **bonestonne** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:56 am

maybe a step down to a 4850? if aftermarket coolers are viable for you, slap on an Accelero S1 (or see where Scythe is going, because i think it has potential) and a 120mm or 92mm fan for cooling. i use a 9600GT to run dual 17" monitors, so my screen resolution is similar to yours, but i don't game that high, i just game on one screen.

either way, if 4870 is too much, maybe 4850 wont be as much overkill?

nutball · Post by **nutball** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:59 am

dadogh wrote:So to sum up: A graphic card that runs wow at maximum and at the same time is quiet. (have no problem to use aftermarket coolers like accelero for example)

Depends how fussy you are about AA & AF. My 8800GTS struggles a bit even with WoW at 2560x1600 when I turn up the AA/AF/TSAA to maximum (which is where I'd like it to be). Don't underestimate the amount of memory that 2560x1600 takes at very high levels of AA either. Of course if you're happy at lower levels then a 4850 or 9800 might be OK.

For myself I'm waiting for the 4870 1GB. I like nice smooooooth edges to my blocky polygon characters

Tzupy · Post by **Tzupy** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:02 am

There are several HD4850 cards with 1GB of memory. From Asus, Powercolor, Sapphire and HIS.
Running at 2560x1600 with textures maxed and AA/AF requires a lot of memory.
The HIS has an exhausting cooler, which is probably not quiet enough by SPCR standards.

dadogh · Post by **dadogh** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:23 am

Ty u all for ur fast replies!

K, it seems then I can narrow it down to 4870 or 4850 since u say wow can require some power to run at max so older cards are out of the discussion. 512 is not enuff so u think I should get cards with 1 gb of memory cause im running with a high resolution...

Question then is; 4870 or 4850 or 2x4850 in CF? Which of the two cards are less noisy with aftermarket cooler?

Maybe I should go for two 4850 in CF directly instead of 1 4870? Can I run CF with aftermarket cooler such as accelero or Scythe?
If this solution is possible will I not have a problem with hot air getting trapped in the case since the accelero (turbo with fans) dont have an exhaust? Or can the coolermaster take care of it?

lm · Post by lm » Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:32 am

Does your HP 30" LCD buzz when you reduce brightness below 100%?

Mine starts buzzing immediately if I put it even one step below 100% bright.

Also mine makes a "snap" sound every ten or so seconds when it's sleeping.

Mine is a HP LP3065.

Does your unit have these problems, and is it the same model?

dadogh · Post by **dadogh** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:44 am

sound like u got a monday copy of ur hp im afraid. Have no such problems, the monitor is totally silent. Had mine now for a year and its working like a charm. When did u buy it?

lm · Post by lm » Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:46 am

I got mine about half a year ago.

The snap sound during sleep mode is clearly audible and indeed I need to contact support for that one. Should be no problem, I got 5 year next-day on-site plan for it.

But the buzz for <100% brightness, it's not very easy to hear. Only after I moved to our new place and was able to locate the PC to a walk-in closet, and only when air cond is off, did I notice the sound. Basically my home office can be totally silent during the late hours (during day also if I'm alone), and then I can easily pick up the buzz.

If your PC is not silent, I don't think you will notice it even if yours makes that sound.

Try removing all other sources of noise, and then changing brightness from the front panel buttons (GPU settings won't do), alternating between 100% and lower figures.

Is it still silent, if you test like that? Thanks for your input.

dadogh · Post by **dadogh** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 2:05 pm

I have tried to remove as many noise sources I can. Still cant hear any noise from monitor. My current comp is rather noisy though. Can test again when Ill get my new comp in a couple of weeks. I am however rather sensitive to noise, thats why im building a new comp so I would be surprised if I found a noise from the monitor that has escaped me.

lm · Post by lm » Sat Sep 13, 2008 11:43 am

Thanks. I'm sensitive to noise too, but only moving my pc to the closet made me find this monitor noise at all.

DaGoose · Post by **DaGoose** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:04 am

Not to bring an old post back from the dead, but I have the same question. Just got a 30 inch Dell (gotta love Dell Outlet) and was wondering what video card I would need to drive it playing WoW at max settings and decent framerate. Thanks.

Nick Geraedts · Post by **Nick Geraedts** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:30 pm

For what it's worth, my ATI 4850 handles WoW at full settings at 1920x1200 in Northrend with about 40-50FPS (Northrend is considerably more demanding than other locations). I'm guessing that if you wanted full settings on that WQXGA screen you'll need at least a 4870. Thankfully, you can run it with a Accelero Twin Turbo as seen here.

DaGoose · Post by **DaGoose** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:00 pm

Well just to let everyone know. I have a 4670 that is running it at full settings except for shadows 1 notch down and only 1xAA. It's keeping framerates between 20-30 except in Dalaran.

curtisfong · Post by **curtisfong** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:40 am

And I have everything set to max on a GTX 260 running at 675/1150. It's fairly quiet too, more so than the ATI cards from what I've been reading.

Post by **CA_Steve** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:15 pm

Fyi - benchmarking WoW vs graphics cards.

Only goes up to 1920x1200, but will give you a feel for stuff.

30inch and quiet, wtb advice now! :)

30inch and quiet, wtb advice now! :)

Re: 30inch and quiet, wtb advice now! :)

I just got a dell 30" from dell outlet