I have an aging Windows gaming box that needs an upgrade. With Trump winning the election, I anticipate tariffs on basically all PC parts, so I want to buy now. Here’s my challenge:
I love quiet PCs. I have a Fractal Design Define R4, I think, which I bought for its sound insulating ability. I’ve always gone with air-cooling, and my fan curves are tuned to be quiet. That works great for my 2080 TI.
Now, however, I want to get the 4080 Super and a big beefy AMD processor. Is air cooling still going to cut it? Or am I going ot have to go for all-in-one water cooling loops to keep temperatures under control without having to listen to the turbines spinning up?
I know there are a lot of factors to consider, but basically I think Fractal Design has great products, so I would probably get another case from them and build the machine from the ground up. I just want to find the solution that lets the machine run without making a ton of noise while it sits on the floor next to me.
A lot of 4080s use the same heatsinks as the 4090s so they should be very quiet. I have a gigabyte OC 4090 and I have it undervolted as far as it will go (200 watts typical, 300 watts max) and I can’t hear it in my fractal define R4. Undervolt your 4080 a smidge and it will be dead silent. My CPU is a 5800x3d with an NH-D14 and it’s not possible to hear that thing.
Also just FYI the R4 is not large enough for the 12vhpwr cable, you have to make too sharp of a turn radius for it. My 4090 is undervolted so far I’m not concerned, but be aware of this.