Sparkle 8800 GT Passive: The Fastest Silent GPU in the World
by Anand Lal Shimpi on November 29, 2007 12:00 AM EST- Posted in
- GPUs
Final Words
We're impressed. Usually HTPCers have to make a tremendous tradeoff when picking a graphics card, more often than not they're stuck with a pretty fast, but still mid-range GPU. With the 8800 GT, we have a GPU that's basically as fast as an 8800 GTX and with Sparkle's card we have such a beast without a fan.
The card gets hot, but as we've seen, it can easily be used inside a case alongside a very warm CPU. A well ventilated chassis will obviously help and we're not sure what the high temperatures will do to the longevity of the GPU (overclocking the graphics card is obviously not recommended), but that's what warranties are for (it looks like Sparkle provides a one-year warranty on its cards, ouch).
The only thing Sparkle's 8800 GT is missing is HDMI output, but we figure most HTPC users are accustomed to dealing with using DVI only at this point. We do commend Sparkle for making sure that its first 8800 GT would be passively cooled, if more companies would take this approach we might actually see some better product differentiation in the market. Sparkle's website also indicates a 256MB version in the works.
Pricing isn't bad either, although we're skeptical until we actually see these things ship. Given how quickly the other 8800 GTs have sold out, if you see this thing at $319 and are interested, we suggest moving quickly.
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natrap - Saturday, December 1, 2007 - link
I agree with Cerb. The fact that it reached 111C and did not fail is a good sign. And that was recorded with the case fans off in a poorly ventilated case. I'm gonna get this for an Antec Solo which has a single 120mm case fan at the rear over the CPU. I'd expect a temp a little lower. As for such high temps affecting the life of the card, well it does come with a 12 month warranty. If it hasn't failed in that time running close to 24/7 then the chance of it failing soon after isn't going to be a great deal higher.natrap - Saturday, December 1, 2007 - link
I agree with Cerb. The fact that it reached 111C and did not fail is a good sign. And that was recorded with the case fans off in a poorly ventilated case. I'm gonna get this for an Antec Solo which has a single 120mm case fan at the rear over the CPU. I'd expect a temp a little lower. As for such high temps affecting the life of the card, well it does come with a 12 month warranty. If it hasn't failed in that time running close to 24/7 then the chance of it failing soon after isn't going to be a great deal higher.Allen Iverson - Saturday, December 1, 2007 - link
Great article anand, LOVE the Sparkle thumbnail :Dgochichi - Friday, November 30, 2007 - link
A lack of HDMI for this type of card is simply unacceptable.I wish the heat pipes wrapped further down, and in general, fan-less cards such as these (the ones that perform) should come with the option of adding standard two 80mm or one 120mm fans. The heat sink needs to be more impressive.
I have (though I don't use it anymore) a fan-less X800, and while it was marginally fine for a while to use it fan-less, I used to lay a quiet 80mm on top of it... I wish I could have easily secured the fan.
You see, fan less cards are meant for the few, the people that want more options. The price could easily be $350.00 if the card was right, and it be THE card to own for the enthusiast. You could down clock the card and slap it into a poorly ventilated case, or you could slap two 80mm fans on it and overclock it more than any other.
That's my two cents. To me, this is no good... if you care about quietness, it would be better to buy a regular card that self-cools... b/c leaving it up to the case means multiplying the noise.
harpoza - Friday, November 30, 2007 - link
Next day shipping almost always costs $30-$50. I'm not sure why this is so notable?Bozo Galora - Friday, November 30, 2007 - link
Or, you could have run the card at 54 degrees under load by using the new Thermalright HR-03GT GPU HS with 92mm Fan.http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=208305">http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=208305
You still could even amend this article with same, or even do a new one in cases cooling. Then you would have both ends of the spectrum.
And, supposedly, according to one report on the web, the 8800GT was not a paper launch, but some components needed for the board were in short supply. "Nvidia declined to say which ones".
kilroy0097 - Friday, November 30, 2007 - link
My point being, after looking at this review and testing of the Sparkle version of the 8800GT, it seems to me to be an added cost for less than adequate benefit. Perhaps you won't be using the card to play games like Crysis at full break to see how hot it can get and for those people this will probably be just fine. However for those that want silence and power wouldn't it be better to get a stock 8800GT, the cheapest you can find and then put on a Thermalright HR-03 Passive VGA cooler that is made for Nvidia 8800 cards. It achieves the same thing as Sparkle's design except it's made to better dissipate the heat. Granted it costs around $50 but it's also larger and more efficient. I think personally it's a safer and better alternative than the Sparkle design. Though kudos to Sparkle for at least attempting.scottb75 - Friday, November 30, 2007 - link
What kind of computer case (if any) was used for this test? Because my EVGA 8800GT SC at stock (SC) clocks and stock fan speeds runs about 57C idle and 78C at load. If you are getting 72C idle and 94C at load on a stock 8800GT something is wrong.stapuft - Friday, November 30, 2007 - link
Agreed, mine runs 52/72C on Crysis, fan at 35%. 56/78 stock.The story in Anand's blog about failing 8800GT's and 3870's would make sense if they had cooling problem. Pics of the test rig and ambient temperatures in the office at time of test are called for.
BTW, if you're in a hurry, you deserve a high price for shipping. Lose the rant about it. EVGA is a standup company.
stapuft - Friday, November 30, 2007 - link
Agreed, mine runs 52/72C on Crysis, fan at 35%. 56/78 stock.The story in Anand's blog about failing 8800GT's and 3870's would make sense if they had cooling problem. Pics of the test rig and ambient temperatures in the office at time of test are called for.
BTW, if you're in a hurry, you deserve a high price for shipping. Lose the rant about it. EVGA is a standup company.