5 Methods to Reduce Graphics Cards' Noise
1. Reduce the Fan Speed
Reducing the fan speed is the easiest approach to quiet a noisy fan. However, there are several significant limitations to accomplishing this. You must first keep an eye on the temperature of your GPU. The most effective way to do this is with a GPU stress tool like MSI Kombuster, Unigine, FurMark, or 3DMark.
You should leave your fan speed alone if the test reveals that your graphics card heats up to more than 80 degrees Celsius when it is running at 100%. On the other hand, if you frequently reach temperatures below 80 degrees Celsius, you can afford to lower your fan speed.
Regardless of the graphics card you have, MSI Afterburner is the easiest approach to reduce the fan speed natively because it works differently for different GPUs.
Positives
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Simple to set up.
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Reduces noise and vibration.
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Safe as long as you check the temperature.
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Free software.
Negatives
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Can cause overheating.
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Can reduce performance.
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Not exactly a long-term fix.
2. Clean the Heatsink's Dust.
Because your heatsink can't sufficiently cool the GPU, your graphics card may be working harder than necessary.
This frequently results from a buildup of dust. To reach all the tiniest nooks and crannies, you should disassemble the components of your graphics card for the finest results. After that, clean off all of the dust accumulation with a toothbrush and a can of compressed air.
If you choose to take this path, you might want to read our tutorial on how to clean your graphics card.
Positives
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Very simple.
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Very cheap.
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Can remove plastic fan housing to clean better.
Negatives
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Only truly effective if your graphics card is dust-filled.
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With the plastic housing on, accessing the heatsink may be challenging.
3. Downclock Your GPU
Because it can lead to unmanageable temperatures, lowering the fan speed isn't an option for every PC construction. Downclocking your GPU is your next best option if this describes you. You can lower the memory clock and core clock using MSI Afterburner once more to make your GPU cooler.
Positives
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Will reduce heat output.
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Fans will.
Negatives
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Performance declines.
4. Isolating the Fan From Its Mount
This alternative can work for you if you're not scared to do some DIY. The vibrations passing through the casing are actually what cause the majority of the noise made by graphics cards.
Even the quietest fans become noticeably louder due to the vibrations being amplified by the screws and metal enclosure that surround the GPU. If you've ever used the fan alone, you've probably noticed that it's a lot quieter.
But how can you separate the fan from its mount while still making sure it does its job of cooling the room? One method is to elevate the fan by covering it with a layer of something that absorbs vibrations, such a synthetic sponge.
Here's how to do it:
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Initially, remove your fan from the graphics card.
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Cut a little piece of sponge with scissors, then attach it to the fan's base. The sponge shouldn't be too small because it needs to be stable and adequately distribute the weight of the fan. It is best if the sponge is only 0.5 cm thick.
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In the area of the heatsink where the fan will be mounted, apply adhesive. Selecting an adhesive that works well with the material it is being adhered to is essential. For instance, silicon-based glue is effective with metals. Alternatively, you could use commercial-grade double-sided adhesive tape if you didn't want to use glue.
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On top of the glue, place the sponge.
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In order to prevent the fan's blades from catching on anything, carefully center the fan on the sponge before attaching it with glue.
Positives
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Good soundproofing.
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Performance is not diminished.
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Doesn't increase temperature.
Negatives
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Required DIY.
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Risk of damage.
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Required some equipment.
5. Soundproof PC Case and Custom Fans
So far, the alternatives we've looked at assist you lower your existing graphics card setup's noise production in a cost-effective manner. If everything else fails, though, it could be time to update your design and make a purchase of some noisier gear. Soundproof PC enclosures and bespoke fans are the two areas where you should expect to see the biggest improvements.
Since manufacturers generally want to cut corners in this area, stock coolers frequently function poorly. This issue is more severe if you're utilizing an Intel stock cooling, as they generally run much hotter than their AMD counterparts. Even relatively recent stock coolers perform worse than older models, as many gamers have noted.
But should you throw away your stock cooler now? Using standard coolers has many benefits, including the fact that they are free, simple to install, and remove the requirement to confirm socket compatibility.
Unfortunately, they also have a number of expenses that might be affecting how well you play. For anything over an i3, for instance, Intel's default coolers are hilariously inadequate, and while AMD's stock cooler may have greater power, its cooling is still quite basic.
The stock fans may even be the weak link in even high-end GPU units that are dedicated to it. It's a good idea to search internet forums like gaming subreddits for the best custom fan for your graphics card if you suspect that the issue is with your standard fan.
The alternative is to get a PC casing that is noise-dampened. In the casing of these cases, soundwave absorption foam is usually used. It's crucial to make sure the case you choose can still support excellent airflow if you choose to go this route. It's wonderful to lower noise levels, but not at the expense of your computer catching fire.
You can attach a Kraken series AIO to your graphics card using the NZXT Kraken G12, which should reduce the noise levels that your graphics card produces. However, because you require the AIO plus the aforementioned converter, the cost will be very high.
Final Thought
At best, a loud graphics card can cause grating background noise; at worst, it might ruin your gaming experience. This is due to the fact that many video games rely heavily on sound to convey adversary positions or to provide you with important hints about what is about to happen next. You're not getting the best gaming experience if your GPU is vying for attention with your game, and it's time to address your noisy graphics card.