The only people who should buy this card are those who have a solid side panel and can't see inside and gaze at the horrible color scheme of their gpu...
The most striking thing is that they kept the frame, which now that I think about it probably increases static pressure against the fin stack. Shots fired at traditional design methinks
Those are just regular Noctua fans that have been mounted on the cooler. The collaboration would be rather pointless if they didn't use genuine and ungimped Noctua fans.
While this card has chosen to not compromise on the fan (25 mm = 1.23 slots all by itself), it pays for it in the card's massive thickness. Most GPUs can't do that and have to have more integrated and compact cooling solutions.
Some do... I for one care that when I open the case I can get around easily, even if it's just to blow around it with compressed air during a cleanout.
Most? I doubt most people even open their cases.
As OP stated it's for those with a solid side panel... well I'm one of them, and at 4.3 slots the size of this card is screaming at me as a negative. Is this normal for new cards to be that big?
Interesting, Noctua's fluid floating bearings are not a natural fit for a horizontal fan that start/stops frequently.
Traditional fluid bearings work by generating a pressure when they spin that suspends the load shaft in an oil/fluid. Very reliable, long lasting, and quiet. However, when they stop rotating the pressure gradually subsides, and eventually the load shaft makes metal to metal contact.
In many fluid suspended bearings this greatly reduces life when the fan restarts.
Best looking card of all time, no joke. Two of Noctua's best fans strapped to a GPU? This is amazing. This'll run quiet and cool, and those fans will last for ages, unlike the chintzy ones you get on most GPUs. Very, very nice ASUS...
OK, so, like, that's the ugliest thing I've seen in quite a while... And yes, I do like to look at the inside of my nice glittery PC that I built. Would not get near this card with a 10-foot pole. Someone will like it though, I'm sure. Not I!
I bet the noise profile of this thing is fantastic. But not necessarily because its Noctua, I suspect any setup with 2 decent, full size 120mm fans would be darn good.
Quad Slot design for a 3070, that's insane. Plus the card will sag a lot, look at that I/O plate, it's just dual slot length. How is the 3070 FE cooler ? I suppose it's not bad or any..
Just happy to see standard, (presumably) easy to replace fans on a GPU; that they're Noctua is a bonus. Some people like to keep old setups to keep playing games which don't run on newer operating systems, inevitability GPU fans end up sounding like a moving bag of bolts and often the only option is to zip tie a fan to cure this and it's not pretty or optimal.
This! We know that Nochtua fans are good quality and you can buy replasement for years to come! Really hoping that this will not be the last Nochtua gpu. Gext gen gpu with Nochtua fans would be my next upgrade!
Starting with the 3070 was a curious choice. I wonder if the current lack of availability of the 3080s drove the decision or if the 3080 is too hot to use with a semi-passive cooling scheme. Everything I've read about the 3080 suggests that this should work for it. I already have a Noctua CPU cooler so this would match the decor.
It probably will be used later with a higher-power chip. The idea with this one is probably to keep the cost lower and also get bragging rights by releasing the quietest, by far, current GPU.
We'll see how it does, though. The ATX form factor is so non-optimal that even two thick fans may not be enough to wow.
I have always loved Noctua's color scheme and I think this card looks great.
They are such a smart company; essentially they've created iconic branding by using a unique color profile combined with providing quality products to instill a sense of consumer trust.
An all Noctua build with this card, one of their CPU coolers, and some case fans would look very clean.
You all are funny. For the majority of users, it doesn't matter if it's 4.3 slots. Multi-GPU is basically dead & everything is integrated into the motherboard now. ATX has seven slots, so you still get two free slots for whatever esoteric add in card you may need. May as well utilize that space for an incredibly frosty & quiet cooler, rather than saving those extra slots in case you may one day, in a bazillion years, maybe use those other slots.
"For the majority of users, it doesn't matter if it's 4.3 slots"
IDK about that. I think it won't matter to people who build their own PCs and know what they are doing. Sure, this will fit into most ATX cases. This won't fit into most mATX cases and all mITX cases. With mATX, quite a lot of them have their 16x slot on the second slot, so this makes it impossible to install a 4.3 slot card into very large mATX cases that have 5x slots.
But the "majority of users" are using big box OEMs, like Dell, HP and Lenovo, which are compact mATX. Those will never fit this card.
Not sure why people continue to demonize Noctua for the brown & beige color scheme, considering that they've been offering black fans for about a year, and they are now offering white fans as well. But of course, they did use the old standby brown & beige for whatever reason, but I still like it, even with a general black & red color scheme behind the window. Noctua quality trumps decorating scheme is my personal opinion.
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
51 Comments
Back to Article
shabby - Monday, October 4, 2021 - link
The only people who should buy this card are those who have a solid side panel and can't see inside and gaze at the horrible color scheme of their gpu...coburn_c - Monday, October 4, 2021 - link
The most striking thing is that they kept the frame, which now that I think about it probably increases static pressure against the fin stack. Shots fired at traditional design methinksHul8 - Monday, October 4, 2021 - link
Those are just regular Noctua fans that have been mounted on the cooler. The collaboration would be rather pointless if they didn't use genuine and ungimped Noctua fans.While this card has chosen to not compromise on the fan (25 mm = 1.23 slots all by itself), it pays for it in the card's massive thickness. Most GPUs can't do that and have to have more integrated and compact cooling solutions.
Hul8 - Monday, October 4, 2021 - link
You imply that most people care what the inside of their computer looks like.niva - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
Some do...I for one care that when I open the case I can get around easily, even if it's just to blow around it with compressed air during a cleanout.
Most? I doubt most people even open their cases.
As OP stated it's for those with a solid side panel... well I'm one of them, and at 4.3 slots the size of this card is screaming at me as a negative. Is this normal for new cards to be that big?
jmke - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - link
cause that's what you do when you're using your PC.stare at the case
not the monitor :)
FreckledTrout - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - link
I love it.Drkrieger01 - Wednesday, October 6, 2021 - link
Amen to that. Function over form for most of my stuff. Noctua's unbeatable in their fan and heatsink department, at least for quality and performance.haukionkannel - Wednesday, October 6, 2021 - link
The best lookin GPU for ages! Suits very nicely with my computer with Nochtua cpu and case coolers!Oxford Guy - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
Ridiculous how people think a PC is a fashion statement.Oh, dear... please get out those rhinestones. My RAM is looking a bit down-market.
meacupla - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
IDK about you, but my video card has its fans facing downward, so I can't see the fans anyways.My case also has the option for vertical GPU mounting, but there is no way that setup will accept a 4 PCI slot tall card.
Tams80 - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
Don't blame others for your poor taste.Beararam - Tuesday, October 12, 2021 - link
Pffthttps://ca.pcpartpicker.com/b/VrsYcf
hanselltc - Monday, October 4, 2021 - link
Tedious looking and ridiculously oversized for a 3070Leeea - Monday, October 4, 2021 - link
Interesting, Noctua's fluid floating bearings are not a natural fit for a horizontal fan that start/stops frequently.Traditional fluid bearings work by generating a pressure when they spin that suspends the load shaft in an oil/fluid. Very reliable, long lasting, and quiet. However, when they stop rotating the pressure gradually subsides, and eventually the load shaft makes metal to metal contact.
In many fluid suspended bearings this greatly reduces life when the fan restarts.
Curious how Noctua overcame this.
Samus - Wednesday, October 6, 2021 - link
My guess is the fans never turn off, probably an RPM range of 600-3000LauRoman - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
yeah, but afterburner, gpu tweak, precision x1 and whatnot will turn the fans off if the curve is so configured.yetanotherhuman - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - link
Best looking card of all time, no joke. Two of Noctua's best fans strapped to a GPU? This is amazing. This'll run quiet and cool, and those fans will last for ages, unlike the chintzy ones you get on most GPUs. Very, very nice ASUS...at_clucks - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - link
"although no pricing has been given at the time of writing."The pictures are free. That's all we get.
yeeeeman - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - link
ugly and needlessly hugeOxford Guy - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
Needlessly? No.The larger the cooler the quieter the cooler can be. You may not care but I definitely do.
domboy - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - link
That thing is massive! I actually like Noctua's color scheme, so it's neat to see a GPU with those fan.TheyCallMeDanger - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - link
OK, so, like, that's the ugliest thing I've seen in quite a while...And yes, I do like to look at the inside of my nice glittery PC that I built.
Would not get near this card with a 10-foot pole.
Someone will like it though, I'm sure.
Not I!
brucethemoose - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - link
I bet the noise profile of this thing is fantastic. But not necessarily because its Noctua, I suspect any setup with 2 decent, full size 120mm fans would be darn good.Oxford Guy - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
Who makes those?wrkingclass_hero - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - link
If I were in the market for a mid-range GPU right now I'd consider this. I like Noctua and it would be a nice fit in my be quiet! case.Silver5urfer - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - link
Quad Slot design for a 3070, that's insane. Plus the card will sag a lot, look at that I/O plate, it's just dual slot length. How is the 3070 FE cooler ? I suppose it's not bad or any..Leeea - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - link
Many cases have GPU support brackets built into them now.If yours does not, there are many products available to address the issue:
https://www.google.com/search?q=gpu+support&tb...
Oxford Guy - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
It's not insane if you have tinnitus and can't tolerate fan noise.It's very sane.
artifex - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - link
Once I saw the backplate, it hit me: it's not brown/beige, it's *chocolatey.*BushLin - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - link
Just happy to see standard, (presumably) easy to replace fans on a GPU; that they're Noctua is a bonus.Some people like to keep old setups to keep playing games which don't run on newer operating systems, inevitability GPU fans end up sounding like a moving bag of bolts and often the only option is to zip tie a fan to cure this and it's not pretty or optimal.
haukionkannel - Wednesday, October 6, 2021 - link
This! We know that Nochtua fans are good quality and you can buy replasement for years to come!Really hoping that this will not be the last Nochtua gpu. Gext gen gpu with Nochtua fans would be my next upgrade!
waterdog - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - link
Starting with the 3070 was a curious choice. I wonder if the current lack of availability of the 3080s drove the decision or if the 3080 is too hot to use with a semi-passive cooling scheme. Everything I've read about the 3080 suggests that this should work for it. I already have a Noctua CPU cooler so this would match the decor.Oxford Guy - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
It probably will be used later with a higher-power chip. The idea with this one is probably to keep the cost lower and also get bragging rights by releasing the quietest, by far, current GPU.We'll see how it does, though. The ATX form factor is so non-optimal that even two thick fans may not be enough to wow.
vanish1 - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - link
I have always loved Noctua's color scheme and I think this card looks great.They are such a smart company; essentially they've created iconic branding by using a unique color profile combined with providing quality products to instill a sense of consumer trust.
An all Noctua build with this card, one of their CPU coolers, and some case fans would look very clean.
haukionkannel - Wednesday, October 6, 2021 - link
Yes. This would suit to my computer perfectly!modulusshift - Wednesday, October 6, 2021 - link
Can't believe this wasn't a Strix x Noctua collaboration, considering both are Latin words for types of owl. Missed opportunity.Hxx - Wednesday, October 6, 2021 - link
lol 4+ slot design what a joke, but it will sell because its a gpuFreckledTrout - Wednesday, October 6, 2021 - link
I have 5 free slots so see no reason why not. If it cools as well but is much quieter like they claim a few of us would gladly take the trade off.Oxford Guy - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
Hearing damage is quite common in young people and in people who do things like commute to work via the NYC subway.A GPU that doesn't aggravate tinnitus is definitely a good thing to have in the market.
Oxford Guy - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
It's not a joke. The joke is the ATX form factor which hasn't been efficient for GPUs ever since they become powerful — a long long time ago.meacupla - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
Well, what else are you going to install in your other PCIe slots?soundcard and capture card are better over USB-C 3.x anyways.
Assimilator87 - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
You all are funny. For the majority of users, it doesn't matter if it's 4.3 slots. Multi-GPU is basically dead & everything is integrated into the motherboard now. ATX has seven slots, so you still get two free slots for whatever esoteric add in card you may need. May as well utilize that space for an incredibly frosty & quiet cooler, rather than saving those extra slots in case you may one day, in a bazillion years, maybe use those other slots.meacupla - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
"For the majority of users, it doesn't matter if it's 4.3 slots"IDK about that. I think it won't matter to people who build their own PCs and know what they are doing.
Sure, this will fit into most ATX cases.
This won't fit into most mATX cases and all mITX cases.
With mATX, quite a lot of them have their 16x slot on the second slot, so this makes it impossible to install a 4.3 slot card into very large mATX cases that have 5x slots.
But the "majority of users" are using big box OEMs, like Dell, HP and Lenovo, which are compact mATX. Those will never fit this card.
This huge card is a niche of niches.
Tams80 - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
Did it ever occur to you that not everything has to fit into an mATX or mITX case?If you want the most quiet system, you have to go big anyway. And that's who this is aimed at.
And I doubt this product is even a noticeable blip on Asus' or even Noctua's finances.
meacupla - Thursday, October 7, 2021 - link
no shit buddy, I'm just saying, "majority of users" will buy what they can get their hands on, and then realize this won't fit into their case.AnnonymousCoward - Friday, October 15, 2021 - link
This looks awesome! I'd need to check my available dimensions, but I'm guessing it'd fit. Now, is it gonna be near 3070 MSRP or 3x that?m16 - Tuesday, October 19, 2021 - link
I really want this card, and for Noctua to do this for AMD as well. That way you know the fans are good and will last, as well as whisper quiet.web2dot0 - Wednesday, October 20, 2021 - link
M1Max is making these card look like total hot-mess pieces of junk.[email protected] - Thursday, October 21, 2021 - link
Not sure why people continue to demonize Noctua for the brown & beige color scheme, considering that they've been offering black fans for about a year, and they are now offering white fans as well. But of course, they did use the old standby brown & beige for whatever reason, but I still like it, even with a general black & red color scheme behind the window. Noctua quality trumps decorating scheme is my personal opinion.Harry_Wild - Saturday, November 13, 2021 - link
This is the GPU card for internet surfing and reading my e-mails?