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It goes without saying that noisy GPUs are anything but convenient. At times, they get so loud that hearing your own voice feels like quite a challenging task. And if you use your computer or laptop for productive stuff, we can only imagine how troublesome it would have been for you. Today, we’re here to tell you about the best quiet GPU for gaming.
If you want to have a quiet computer or laptop for gaming or whatever purpose, know that the GPU holds paramount importance. When performing a strenuous task, the fans make too much noise. So, if you wish to buy a quiet GPU to build a silent PC, the good news for you is that we have shortlisted and reviewed some of the very best models available in the market for you. But before we jump on to those cards, let’s discuss why you need a quiet GPU for gaming.
Contents
Why Do You Need a Quiet GPU for Gaming?
All the reasons why you should invest in a quiet GPU for gaming would make quite a long list, but to keep things precise, let’s discuss a few of them briefly.
Must-Have for Gaming:
For starters, a quiet video card ensures a great user experience. When it comes to gaming, content watching, or doing any demanding task, a noisy GPU can be a pain in the neck for you. A loud whirring fan will do nothing but ruin your experience. Seriously, who would want to watch movies or play games in a noisy atmosphere?
Ideal for Work:
If you intend to do productive stuff on your laptop or computer, a quiet GPU is a must for you. It would be pretty needless to say that a loud GPU can put your creativity and productivity down into the flames. To avoid that from happening, you need to buy a quiet GPU to make sure that you work in a peaceful environment. It will work wonders and will take your creativity up a notch.
What Makes a GPU Quiet?
Now that we have discussed the reasons to buy a quiet GPU let’s discuss what actually makes a GPU quiet.
Fans:
It turns out that the thing that participates the most in the noise is the fans of the GPU. If your GPU is making a lot of noise, the fans are the culprit, most probably. GPUs come with fans to tackle the heating issue. Fans do overcome heating, but this cooldown comes at a cost. In most cases, you have to trade off the peaceful environment with that cooldown. And yes, when you are performing a strenuous task, the fans will have to spin harder, and it will create even more noise. The presence of good fans will make your GPU and laptop the coolest and quietest.
Faulty Motor:
A damaged motor of the fan is also associated with the loud GPU. If that’s the case with your GPU, reach out to an engineer to know whether it could be repaired or not. In case of extreme wear and tear, you may need to replace the motor.
Dust Accumulation:
Dush, debris, and lint may accumulate on the fans of the GPU over time. This mess often leads to a noisy GPU. That’s why it’s recommended to clean the GPU and the air vents every once in a while to make certain that everything works as it’s supposed to.
Best Quiet GPU for Gaming
Without any further ado, let’s move on to our list of the best quiet GPUs for gaming.
1- PNY Quadro RTX 4000
Specifications:
- Quiet active fan.
- 2304 Cuda cores.
- 8 GB GDDR6 memory.
- 16 GB graphics RAM size.
- Single-slot GPU.
The PNY Quadro RTX 4000 professional graphics card sits right at the top of our list. It is manufactured by PNY and has been a great addition to their already great RTX series. Let’s see what it has to offer.
Key Features:
What Makes the PNY Quadro RTX 4000 Professional Graphics Card So Special?
Great Heat Dissipation:
Without an iota of doubt, it is its silent operation that makes the PNY Quadro RTX 4000 professional graphics card so special. It has an exceptional heat dissipation mechanism, thanks to the ultra-quiet fans. Those fans not only overcome the overheating issue but also emit a quite negligible sound. As a result, this GPU is quite quiet. If you own a laptop, you can even take it to a library and work there without disturbing anyone.
Portable:
Another reason to love the PNY Quadro RTX 4000 professional graphics card is its lightweight nature. The single-slot design keeps its weight minimal. It’s no secret that heavyweight can be a fly in the ointment, especially when you own a laptop. Thankfully, that won’t be the problem here as it weighs 1.2 kg only.
Performance:
Considering the fact that the PNY Quadro RTX 4000 professional graphics card is lightweight and quiet, one doesn’t expect much when it comes to performance. Well, to your surprise, this graphics card performs quite well too. It comes with 8 GB GDDR6 memory, which is good enough.
The PNY Quadro RTX 4000 professional graphics card clocks in at 1005 MHz and is capable of boosting up to as much as 1545 MHz.
Connectivity:
As for connectivity, you get a 3x display port 1.4, like all other Quadro RTX models. You also get a Virtual Link port for VR headsets through a USB Type-C connector.
Budget-Friendly:
Another great thing about the PNY Quadro RTX 4000 professional graphics card is that it’s available at a very affordable price. Yet, it’s good in most major areas and delivers tons of value for the price—all in all, a decent graphics card with quiet fans.
Pros:
- Quiet fan operation.
- Virtual link for VR headsets.
- Good performance.
- Pocket-friendly
Cons:
- Prone to fingerprints.
Compared With the Others:
Our experts compared the PNY Quadro RTX 4000 professional graphics card with the XFX RX 5700 XT thicc III ultra graphics card to see how they stack up. As it stands, the former one is cheaper.
Who Should Buy It?
Anyone looking for a cheap and quiet graphics card with a good cooling system should consider buying it.
2- XFX RX 5700 XT
- Triple fan design.
- The peak clock speed is 2025 MHz.
- It supports gameplay at 1440P and 4k.
- 8GB GDD46 memory.
- Quiet mode.
Next, we have the XFX RX 5700 XT thicc III ultra graphics card. Manufactured by XFX, it’s one of the company’s high-end graphics cards and certainly a strong contender for the quietest GPU. Let’s delve further and discuss it in detail.
Key Features:
What Makes the XFX RX 5700 XT Thicc III Ultra Graphics Card So Special?
Quietest Operation:
There could be plenty of reasons to love the XFX RX 5700 XT thicc III ultra graphics card, but the reason that stands out the most is its ultra-quiet operation. This graphics card uses highly advanced technology to make sure you don’t experience a deafening sound while playing even the most demanding games. You get three fans here that work quietly to dissipate all the heat efficiently.
As if it wasn’t enough, the XFX RX 5700 XT thicc III ultra graphics card comes with a quiet mode. However, this will drastically affect your gaming experience. We don’t recommend activating it while playing, as the fans do a great job. It won’t be far from the truth to say that it’s the best cooling system on a graphics card.
Fantastic Gaming Experience:
Gaming on the XFX RX 5700 XT thicc III ultra graphics card is an absolute joy, thanks to the higher clock speeds you get here. With a base clock of 1810 MHz, a game clock of 1935 MHz, and a peak clock of 2025 MHz, you expect no less than the perfect gaming experience. These are far better than the base variant AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT offers the peak clock of 1905 MHz only. You will have a smooth gaming experience at 1440P and 8K.
Portability:
Now let’s address the elephant in the room. As mentioned earlier, the XFX RX 5700 XT thicc III ultra graphics card features three fans. Predictably then, it’s quite bulky. It’s compact by no means, but it’s bulky for a reason. It weighs 4.4 lbs, which feels quite cumbersome.
Pros:
- Ultra-quiet working.
- Quiet mode for even quieter operation.
- Amazing gaming experience.
- Enough memory.
Cons:
- Nil
Compared With the Others:
In the light of comparison between the XFX RX 5700 XT thicc III ultra graphics card and the PNY Quadro RTX 4000 professional graphics card, it was clear that the former graphics card offers a far better gaming experience, thanks to the higher clock rates you get here. As a cherry on the cake, it’s silent as well.
Who Should Buy It?
If you’re looking to buy a silent GPU without having to compromise on the performance either, consider yourself buying the XFX RX 5700 XT thicc III ultra graphics card.
3- ASUS GeForce GTX 1650
Specifications:
- Made of stainless steel.
- Axial-tech fan technology.
- Boost clock 1665 MHz.
- 4 GB RAM size.
Next, we have the ASUS Phoenix NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card. It’s manufactured by Asus and is a great addition to their popular GTX series. Let’s have a closer look at it.
Key Features:
What Makes the ASUS Phoenix NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Graphics Card So Special?
Great Build Quality:
Without a shadow of a doubt, it’s the superior construction that gives the ASUS Phoenix NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card an edge over the other graphics cards on our list. It’s made of stainless steel, which is more resistant to corrosion. You can rest assured knowing that it won’t corrode soon enough.
Lightweight:
What our experts loved the most about its construction is that ASUS has kept the weight of this graphics card quite low. It weighs 1.1 lbs only, which is quite manageable.
Axial-Tech Design:
When it comes to noise reduction, the ASUS Phoenix NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card is as good as anything. It features a special axial-tech fan that spins in a specific way to tackle the heat and not make noise.
Performance:
The ASUS Phoenix NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card is pretty good at handling even AAA games, thanks to 1635 MHz clocks on gaming mode. You’ll have a smooth gaming experience on it. And yes, like most graphics cards of this price range, it also has 4 GB RAM.
Pros:
- Axial-tech fan for attenuated noise.
Cons:
- A bit expensive.
Compared With the Others:
When we compared the ASUS Phoenix NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card with the XFX RX 5700 XT thicc III ultra graphics card, it turned out that the ASUS graphics card has a better build quality and is also lightweight.
Who Should Buy It?
The ASUS Phoenix NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card is for those who want to buy a durable graphics card that will last them a few years at least.
4- VisionTek Radeon 5450
Specifications:
- Fanless model.
- Dolby sound.
- Memory storage 2048 MB.
- Budget-friendly.
The next graphics card on our list is the Visiontek Radeon 5450 graphics card. It’s manufactured by Visiontek. Let’s see what it has to offer.
Key Features:
What Makes the VisionTek Radeon 5450 Graphics Card So Special?
It Costs Next to Nothing:
The best selling point of the Visiontek Radeon 5450 graphics card is its low price. It’s the cheapest graphics card on our list. Our experts liked the fact that VisionTek has offered an affordable graphics card without compromising on its performance.
Performance:
Now coming to its performance, there isn’t much to talk about. Its performance is quite remarkable for a graphics card of this price range, but the difference would be clear if you compare it with a high-end model. All in all, gaming on a laptop this cheap is quite a feat, and you’d have to manage your expectations.
Silent:
Another reason to love the Visiontek Radeon 5450 graphics card is that it doesn’t emit much sound as it’s a fanless model. It’s safe to say that it’s the best passively cooled graphics card of this price category.
Pros:
- Dirt-cheap.
- Satisfactory performance.
- Great sound quality.
Cons:
- Not suitable for AAA games.
Compared With the Others:
Comparing the Visiontek Radeon 5450 graphics card with the ASUS Phoenix NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, the thing that we noticed straight off the bat was the price difference. The former one costs far less than its ASUS counterpart.
Who Should Buy It?
If you’re not willing to spend on the graphics card but want a good gaming experience, buying the VisionteK Radeon graphics card would make a lot of sense. It’s surely the best fanless video card for its price.
5- ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1070
Specifications:
- 8008 MHz.
- Lightweight.
- 8 GB RAM.
- Cheap.
Now, we have the ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1070 computer graphics card. Let’s know more about it.
Key Features:
What Makes the ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1070 Computer Graphics Card So Special?
Quietest GTX 1070:
Amongst all the GTX graphics cards, the ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1070 computer graphics card is the quietest. It has no fans, so you won’t experience any noise at all. From the library to your workplace, you can use it anywhere, and it won’t disturb you.
Performance:
As for performance, the ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1070 computer graphics card offers a good experience. The 8008 MHz of clock rate is certainly not the best, but it’s not terrible either. When that combines with the 8 GB of RAM, the experience is quite satisfactory.
Pros:
- Fine clock rates.
- Acceptable performance.
Cons:
- It consumes a lot of power.
Compared With the Others:
When we compared the ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1070 computer graphics card with the Visiontek Radeon 5450 graphics card, we noticed that it’s slightly better for gaming and more lightweight.
Who Should Buy It?
Anyone looking for a lightweight and quiet yet powerful laptop should buy the ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1070 computer graphics card.
6- ZOTAC RTX 2070
Specifications:
- Ray tracing cores and tensor cores.
- Ice storm technology.
- 8 GB memory.
- 1770 MHz.
Moving on with our list, we have the ZOTAC gaming GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card. Let’s delve further and see what it offers.
Key Features:
What Makes the ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 2070 Graphics Card So Special?
Ample Cores:
The ZOTAC gaming GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card combines the tensor cores and tracing cores for more efficiency. 2560 Cuda cores are far more than most other graphics cards out there.
Ice Storm Technology:
Now coming to the fact that we love, the ZOTAC gaming GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card boasts the top-of-the-line cooling solution for your comfort. It does a great job of reducing the noise and dissipating the heat at the same time.
Performance:
Gaming on the ZOTAC gaming GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card is a great experience as it comes with high clock speeds. The boost clock speed of 1770 MHz is certainly good enough for most users.
Pros:
- Tensor and tracing cores.
- Ice storm technology for better cooling.
- Outstanding gaming experience.
- 2560 Cuda cores.
Compared With the Others:
Upon comparing the ZOTAC gaming GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card with the ASUS Dual GeForce GTX 1070 computer graphics card, the difference between gameplays was substantial.
Who Should Buy It?
If you want a mid-range graphics card that delivers a powerful punch, then the ZOTAC gaming GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card would be a great choice for you.
7- ZOTAC RTX 3060
Specifications:
- Graphics RAM size 12 GB.
- Boost clock 1807 MHz.
- Ice storm 2.0.
- 3584 Cuda cores.
The Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card is the last graphics card on our list. Let’s have a deeper look at it.
Key Features:
What Makes the ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 Graphics Card So Special?
Highest RAM:
The Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card has the highest RAM on our list. The 12 GB RAM makes it lightning-fast for day-to-day use.
Incredible Performance:
Another reason to buy the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card is its exceptional performance. With 3584 cores and an 1807 MHz boost clock, you expect a great gaming experience without facing any lag.
Ice Storm 2.0:
While this powerful GPU plays games without lagging, its cooling system makes sure that your hands don’t melt because of overheating. It doesn’t make much noise either.
Pros:
- High on RAM.
- Incredible gameplay.
- Great cooling down and noise reduction mechanism.
Cons:
- It costs an arm and a leg.
Compared With the Others:
Comparing it with its predecessor, ZOTAC gaming GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, we found out that it’s better at almost everything. It handles AAA games quite efficiently.
Who Should Buy It?
If you want a high-end graphics card with tons of features regardless of its price, then look no further.
Buying Guide
Here are a few things to take into account while buying a graphics card.
Noise Level
The first and foremost thing to consider if you want to work in peace is the noise level. Most GPUs these days come with a great mechanism to tackle this problem, but you should never take it for granted.
Clock Speed
This is what makes any GPU great for gaming. Make sure to buy a GPU with more clock speed if your pocket allows it. It will ensure a smooth gaming experience without any lag.
Weight
If you intend to use a graphics card on your laptop, then buying a hefty graphics card is a no-no. You’d be at your wits’ end when carrying it.
FAQs
What makes a GPU quiet?
It’s the fans’ quality that makes a GPU quiet. If your GPU has ordinary fans, it will feel like a plane taking off while performing a strenuous task. High-quality fans are a must-have for a silent graphics card.
Why are GPUs so loud?
If your GPU is making a deafening sound, its fans are most likely to be the culprit. Apart from that, a faulty or dirty motor can also make your GPU loud.
Why is my GPU fan speed so high?
If you’re playing a AAA game or performing a heavy-duty task, then it will cause overheating. To eliminate that heat, the fans of the GPU will spin faster.
