Powercolor R9 270 SCS3 or MSI R9 270X?

Brodel · Post by **Brodel** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 1:45 pm

I currently have a pretty quiet watercooled setup but would like a new videocard. I have a 7800GT and don't really want to go through buying/installing a new waterblock, so I'm thinking of switching back to air and am trying to decide between the two cards.

I don't mind too much noise in games, but would like it to be as near to silent as possible when idling or watching a video. On the face of it, the passive 270 would be quieter for obvious reasons, but I read on here that it's advised to have a fan directed on it. I also read a lot of reviews stating that the MSI 270X is extremely quiet, although what is quiet to one person might not be to another, and a couple of reviews that I've read have recorded quite different levels of noise.

I was wondering if anyone else has had to make the same decision? Any advice would be much appreciated. FWIW, both cards are around the same price where I'm looking.

Post by **MikeC** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 3:07 pm

According to Techpowerup, whose noise tests are decent, "the MSI R9 270X GAMING is by far the quietest R9 270X on the market." Not sure that the card runs cool enough to be cooled effectively w/o force airflow.

Brodel · Post by **Brodel** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:10 am

MikeC wrote:According to Techpowerup, whose noise tests are decent, "the MSI R9 270X GAMING is by far the quietest R9 270X on the market." Not sure that the card runs cool enough to be cooled effectively w/o force airflow.

Thanks for the link, I appreciate it. It looks like the MSI might be the way to go then. I plan on buying a Fractal Design 4 case too, which should help with the sound dampening.

Post by **MikeC** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:19 am

Brodel wrote:Thanks for the link, I appreciate it. It looks like the MSI might be the way to go then. I plan on buying a Fractal Design 4 case too, which should help with the sound dampening.

Why the 4? Fractal Design R5 is around the same $ & it is better, esp. the fans.

Brodel · Post by **Brodel** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:38 am

MikeC wrote:
Brodel wrote:Thanks for the link, I appreciate it. It looks like the MSI might be the way to go then. I plan on buying a Fractal Design 4 case too, which should help with the sound dampening.
Why the 4? Fractal Design R5 is around the same $ & it is better, esp. the fans.

I didn't realise the fans were much quieter, I just thought I'd save a bit of money. With that though, I'll go for the R5. Cheers!

Post by **MikeC** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:40 am

The ATX Gamer, R5 Version covers most of the R5 details, including the fans.

Brodel · Post by **Brodel** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 6:11 am

MikeC wrote:The ATX Gamer, R5 Version covers most of the R5 details, including the fans.

Thanks. As I'll have 4 x 120mm Yate Loon D12SL fans left over from my watercooling, do you think that it might be worth replacing the 140mm fans that come with the case, or maybe the fan that comes with the Scythe Kotetsu that I'm also ordering?

Post by **MikeC** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 7:14 am

Brodel wrote:Thanks. As I'll have 4 x 120mm Yate Loon D12SL fans left over from my watercooling, do you think that it might be worth replacing the 140mm fans that come with the case, or maybe the fan that comes with the Scythe Kotetsu that I'm also ordering?

No way! The fans in the R5 case (& on the Kotetsu) are definitely better than the YLs.

Powercolor R9 270 SCS3 or MSI R9 270X?

Powercolor R9 270 SCS3 or MSI R9 270X?

Re: Powercolor R9 270 SCS3 or MSI R9 270X?

Re: Powercolor R9 270 SCS3 or MSI R9 270X?

Re: Powercolor R9 270 SCS3 or MSI R9 270X?

Re: Powercolor R9 270 SCS3 or MSI R9 270X?

Re: Powercolor R9 270 SCS3 or MSI R9 270X?

Re: Powercolor R9 270 SCS3 or MSI R9 270X?

Re: Powercolor R9 270 SCS3 or MSI R9 270X?