CPU vs GPU noise

[Sid Hatrack]

CPU vs GPU noise

Just the facts, Mam. I am running KS 10 on a single desktop PC with a Quadro K620 card and a 6 core Intel i7 CPU. The Quadro has one small 1.5" diameter fan and the processor has an aftermarket Noctura fan with a big finned heat sink that I put in to bring down the sound. KeyShot does not recognize the Quadro, so I render only in CPU which pegs KeyShot at 100% without even rendering.

Recently, one of my dual monitors failed and I have decided to get a new graphics card with dual HDMI ports for my new monitors. I also want a new card so I can have the option to render using GPU. I am considering the RTX3080, but am concerned about fan noise since it uses 3 large fans. With my present setup CPU fan noise running KeyShot in CPU has been tolerable at 54 db, but after rendering animation for hours on end I start wishing I was back rendering with felt pens and colored pencils.

I have read comments online that it can get pretty loud, so, I am wondering if anyone using the RTX 3080 or similar card can comment on the noise level and how they may have dealt with it.  I watched a YouTube video review by Linus of the Morpheus CPU cooler which might be a work around for this although the install looks daunting. Or maybe it is time to consider ditching fans altogether and go the fan less Monsterlabo case.

Thanks, for any ideas.

[RRIS]

Fwiw, I use a 2060 Super with a bunch of big fans on it.. I have mine parked in a pretty big case, so plenty of airflow and to be honest, I hear the CPU fans more than the GPU ones when I'm rendering (on  CPU vs. GPU). The bigger the fans, the slower they can run to get the same cooling. I wouldn't worry about noise too much.

What made me a bit anxious about getting the 3-series cards is that I keep reading that the build quality has been a bit shoddy, with thermal pads not connecting well. Maybe that's just because you only ever hear from those that are problematic, but still. If you feel your card gets unreasonably hot, it could be worth it to take a look at that.

[richardfunnell]

I don't know if this is a solution that's possible for you, but I moved my workstations to another room (an attached basement) and run powered video/USB cables from that room to my desk. That way noise/heat isn't an issue.

When I upgraded, I was surprised at HOW loud and hot they are, because they are both. Even in a large room, the GPUs put out noticeably more heat than my Threadripper.

[mattjgerard]

I don't know if this is a solution that's possible for you, but I moved my workstations to another room (an attached basement) and run powered video/USB cables from that room to my desk. That way noise/heat isn't an issue.

The last time I did that was with an Avid Media Composer video editing system back in 2008!!! The mac that it ran on would be super loud, and the stack (and I mean STACK of HD's, almost 3' tall) would generate so much heat the building AC couldn't keep up. I remember punching a hole through the wall into the warehouse and building a little enclosure with fans and filters. Man those were the days.