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Graphics cards are one of the essential components of a computer as they help improve the overall performance of the system when it comes to graphical-intensive tasks like gaming, video editing, among others. Over the years, the design and features of graphics cards have improved, and there are different types of graphics cards available in the market today. One of such graphic card types is the blower-style cooler graphics card, which users often notice to have a distinct sound. In this post, we’ll explore why graphics cards with blower-style coolers have a distinct sound, how blower-style coolers affect the performance of graphics cards, and whether they are worth considering over other types of graphic cards.
What is a Blower-Style Cooler Graphics Card?
Blower-style cooler graphics cards, also referred to as reference-style graphics cards, are typically designed to expel hot air out of the computer via the back of the graphics card. The cooling system is made of a radial fan that pulls air over a heatsink that helps regulate the temperature of the graphics card. The air is then expelled from the back of the graphics card by the fan, unlike other graphic card designs that send hot air back into the computer’s case.
Why Do Graphics Cards with Blower-Style Coolers Have a Distinct Sound?
One of the noticeable features of graphics cards with blower-style coolers is the distinct sound that comes from the fan. The sound is usually high-pitched, and many people have often compared it to a jet engine. The sound is more pronounced when the graphics card is under intense load, such as when playing a high-end game or when running a graphics-intensive application. But why do graphics cards with blower-style coolers have a distinct sound?
The main reason for the sound from a blower-style cooler graphics card is the radial fan design. Unlike traditional fans that blow air in different directions, radial fans pull air in from one direction through the heatsink, then force it out through the exhaust at the back of the graphics card. A radial fan has a smaller diameter and requires a higher RPM to move the same amount of air as a traditional axial fan. Thus, the fan has to work harder and spin faster, which creates more noise.
Another reason why blower-style cooler graphics cards make more noise is because they are designed to be able to operate efficiently in confined spaces, such as in small form factor computers. These smaller cases often have less ventilation and airflow compared to full-tower cases, which can make the temperature inside the case more elevated. The high-pitched sound from the fan is a trade-off for the better cooling and airflow that come with blower-style cooler graphics cards to prevent the GPU from overheating.
How Does a Blower-Style Cooler Affect the Performance of Graphics Cards?
The main reason why blower-style cooler graphics cards are designed is to prevent the GPU from overheating. By expelling hot air out of the back of the graphics card, a blower-style cooler ensures that heat doesn’t build up inside the case, which could reduce the performance of the graphics card or cause it to crash.
However, the design of a blower-style cooler also affects the performance of the graphics card. As mentioned earlier, the smaller diameter of the radial fan and its higher RPM can create more noise. Also, the design of the cooling system means a blower-style cooler graphics card is typically louder than other graphics card types.
Another significant drawback of blower-style coolers is that they can limit the overclocking potential of graphics cards. Overclocking refers to the process of increasing the clock speed or voltage of the GPU to get better performance. Because blower-style coolers work harder to expel hot air out of the graphics card, they might not be able to cool a GPU that has been heavily overclocked, leading to performance issues.
Are Graphics Cards with Blower-Style Coolers Worth Considering?
Whether a blower-style cooler graphics card is worth considering over other types of graphics cards comes down to some factors, including computer case size, the potential for overclocking, personal preference for noise level, and budget.
If you have a small form factor computer that doesn’t have much ventilation, a blower-style cooler graphic card could be a good choice. The higher RPM of the radial fan means that it can provide better cooling than other types of graphics cards. However, if you have a full-tower case with good ventilation and airflow, a blower-style cooler graphics card might not be necessary.
Also, if you’re planning to overclock the GPU or want a graphic card with as little noise as possible, a blower-style cooler graphic might not be your best option. Overclocking could cause the GPU to overheat, and a blower-style cooler might not be able to compensate for the additional cooling needed. Additionally, the high-pitched noise produced by the radial fan might not be suitable for those seeking a silent computer.
However, if you’re on a budget and need a graphics card to handle moderate graphical-intensive tasks or games, a blower-style cooler graphics card could be a good option. They are often cheaper than other graphic card types, and the cooling system can provide adequate performance.
Conclusion
Graphics cards play a crucial role in the overall performance of a computer. Blower-style cooler graphics cards are popular among computer enthusiasts because they provide better cooling than other types of graphics cards. However, they also come with a distinct sound that results from the radial fan used to regulate the temperature of the graphics card. The RPM of the fan and the confined spaces in which they operate contribute to the noise generated by the blower-style cooler. It’s essential to consider the advantages and disadvantages of blower-style cooler graphics cards when planning to purchase one, including the computer case size, the potential for overclocking, personal preference for noise level, and budget.
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