A computer components & hardware forum. HardwareBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » HardwareBanter forum » Video Cards » Nvidia Videocards
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Did you know this? I sure did not.



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old August 4th 06, 06:34 PM posted to alt.comp.periphs.videocards.nvidia
johns
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 658
Default Did you know this? I sure did not.

Just got in a Dell Dimension 9150 to setup and test.
I had to reinstall everything ( for lab reasons ), and
after deleting all the partitions, I started reinstalling
XP from the Dell cd. I noticed that the video card
... 7900GS 256 .. was making a lot of fan noise. It
was so loud that I called Dell Tech Support about it.
They did not know why either, and started to send
me a replacement. In the meantime, I downloaded
all the drivers from Dell, and as soon as I loaded
the video driver for the 7900GS, the fan went quiet,
and now runs under the control of the driver. If I
really push the 7900 in a 3d app or game, I can
hear the fan come up somewhat, and I can see
the temp at about 50C. After a while the fan quietens
as the temp cools. My question: is this true of
the standard 7900 driver for all machines. I have
the 7900 GTO at home, and I had to install a
better fan with an external controller to quieten
the thing. My home card runs at 33C to max
of about 48C with that fan. Be nice to put that
fan under the driver control since it also has
speed control on the card ??? The Dell driver
works fine. Shame the 7900GS has such a crappy
OEM heat sink. It deserves better .. but mine cost
me about $55.

johns

  #2  
Old August 4th 06, 07:32 PM posted to alt.comp.periphs.videocards.nvidia
First of One
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 462
Default Did you know this? I sure did not.

Yes, this is normal behavior with new nVidia cards. In the old days (FX5800
era), they just had two distinct fan speeds for 2D and 3D. Now it ramps up
progressively according to temperature. With Rivatuner you can adjust
several parameters like the idle fan speed, ramp schedule, etc.

The ramping action requires the fan controller to be capable of sending a
PWM signal. Not all cards can do this, obviously. Furthermore, some cards
have the hardware, but the BIOS doesn't expose it to the drivers. Which
category your GTO belongs to is anybody's guess.

--
"War is the continuation of politics by other means.
It can therefore be said that politics is war without
bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed."

"johns" wrote in message
oups.com...
Just got in a Dell Dimension 9150 to setup and test.
I had to reinstall everything ( for lab reasons ), and
after deleting all the partitions, I started reinstalling
XP from the Dell cd. I noticed that the video card
.. 7900GS 256 .. was making a lot of fan noise. It
was so loud that I called Dell Tech Support about it.
They did not know why either, and started to send
me a replacement. In the meantime, I downloaded
all the drivers from Dell, and as soon as I loaded
the video driver for the 7900GS, the fan went quiet,
and now runs under the control of the driver. If I
really push the 7900 in a 3d app or game, I can
hear the fan come up somewhat, and I can see
the temp at about 50C. After a while the fan quietens
as the temp cools. My question: is this true of
the standard 7900 driver for all machines.



  #3  
Old August 4th 06, 10:34 PM posted to alt.comp.periphs.videocards.nvidia
johns
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 658
Default Did you know this? I sure did not.



category your GTO belongs to is anybody's guess.


I wish they'd stop it with the guessing games. This
driver control of cooling and keeping the thing quiet
is the difference between buying the card, and not
buying the card. An uncontrolled 7900 is a nightmare,
and yet this is one of the top cards out there. I
even called BFG on my BFG 7900 GTO, and the tech
guy basically laughed in my face, and dared me
to void my warranty by installing a quiet fan. Now, I
learn that the proper driver for the thing does a nice
job of quieting it down. You'd think that BFG tech
support would know that. They don't. I'm glad I have
my Zalmon cooler, but maybe I could have just
downloaded a decent driver for free. The other thing
is, if BFG is building cards that are not very smart,
then maybe it is time for them to "smarten" up.
Also, I have yet to see these Dell Dimensions
fail to do their job, and respond to any challenge
I have set them against. Somebody over there is
getting the job done.

johns

  #4  
Old August 5th 06, 02:29 AM posted to alt.comp.periphs.videocards.nvidia
First of One
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 462
Default Did you know this? I sure did not.

"johns" wrote in message
ups.com...
even called BFG on my BFG 7900 GTO, and the tech
guy basically laughed in my face, and dared me
to void my warranty by installing a quiet fan. Now, I
learn that the proper driver for the thing does a nice
job of quieting it down. You'd think that BFG tech
support would know that.


Before you start crapping over the tech support guy... If the fan wasn't
quiet before, what "improper" drivers were you using? The first step of any
troubleshooting process is ensuring you have the most recent drivers
installed.

They don't. I'm glad I have my Zalmon cooler, but maybe I
could have just downloaded a decent driver for free.


It's not quite that simple is it? Does a loud fan suddenly become acceptable
in the middle of a game? There's no substitute for a fan that remains quiet
at 100% speed. The Zalman definitely was not money wasted.

The other thing is, if BFG is building cards that are not
very smart, then maybe it is time for them to "smarten" up.


Again, keep things in perspective.
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/articl...hlbnRodXNpYXN0

Keep in mind the BFG card is overclocked out of the factory. Naturally it
won't run as quiet as the Dell card. BFG is the only mfr not getting an
unusually high number of returns from cards overheating (versus eVGA, XFX,
etc.). The company is at the top of its game.

--
"War is the continuation of politics by other means.
It can therefore be said that politics is war without
bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed."


 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:39 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 HardwareBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.