I just received my 1080 Ti SC2 Hybrid from the EVGA shop, and it keeps temps pretty low without heating my case, though it's not a great overclocker (can't go past 2 GHz on core). However, I noticed that the pump runs at full speed all the time for some reason, even when the GPU is idling. This results in an annoying buzzing noise, which is especially noticeable as the case is close to me.
 
Since I was going for a quiet build with several silent Noctua case fans and a massive Noctua DH-15 CPU cooler, the constant pump noise is VERY disappointing. I know it's possible to unhook the pump power cable from the fan power cable and drive it directly from the motherboard using DC (no PWM support either), but this involves taking apart the card and will surely void the warranty (there is an EVGA sticker over one of the screws of the backplate). Anyone know of any other solutions to shut the pump up @ idle?
 
Anyway, kind of disappointed EVGA opted for this solution, not what I expected from a €900 GPU. Had to replace the radiator fan by a third party PWM fan as well, for some reason it was also running at full speed all the time.

I'm in the same boat as you, I even run the radiator fan at 0 RPM during idle. The pump is the loudest thing in my system, and you can hear it even with a noise dampened case.

Back to the question, EVGA totally lets you take apart their cards without voiding the warranty. At least that is always the reply from the staff. The sticker is just so they can do a more thorough inspection of the card during a RMA. - BTW EVGA is actually following the law here, warranty void stickers aren't legally binding.

So if you can find or make a adapter that goes from whatever connector the GPU is using, and then run the pump off a MB or standalone controller, then you're welcome to do so.

Alternatively you can contact EVGA and they should setup a swap for a new card. I only mention this because many other forum members said the pump is 100% silent... I question how much hearing loss they have though (or how fast they run case fans).

Note: If you break the pump during disassembly or if you overheat and melt the card during any of this, then the repair cost is on you.

I went with an air cooled 1080 Ti so I can't comment on your issues with pump noise, but generally watercooling (even via close looped setups) will have noise from the pump. IMHO if quietness is the ultimate goal then you'd be better off with an air cooled card as those will generally be quieter overall. Of course, they offer slightly higher temps which may not play well if you're looking to push the card to its limits but that would be a different goal than quietness :)

Are we discussing the noise that comes from the fan attached to the radiator or some kind of noise that comes from the radiator itself?

evgatorator
Are we discussing the noise that comes from the fan attached to the radiator or some kind of noise that comes from the radiator itself?

Pump noise, nothing to do with the radiator or its fan.
 
Anyway, I ordered a 4-pin PWM female to 4-pin mini GPU male cable, and will try to control the pump speed via the motherboard.

Yeah, I will post an update. Will take a while before I receive the adapter though, it has to be shipped from the USA to NL ;-)
 
I noticed the second (unused) PWM header on the card can be controlled through Precision XOC (though not through MSI AB unfortunately). Might try hooking the radiator fan up to that port, so I've got a free fan header on the motherboard for the DC pump.

Yeah hearing loss or a noisy environment/case sounds most likely. - I have 5-15dB of sensitivity loss in my left ear (20Hz-16KHz) and the pump is nowhere near as audible in that ear.
 
I turned every moving part in my PC off except for the pump and here is what the pump sounds like (through my side fan cutout).
 
Please note I turned the volume way up.  The original waveform was about 30dB quieter.

Yeah this card is super loud. My PC was completely silent at idle before i got it.
I'm waiting on your results to see if it's worth it or not

Got the pump running at 80% now when the card is idle, and the whine is a lot less noticeable. I don't really dare to go any lower than 80%, but maybe it's possible.

jantjeuh

Dillinja187
Hi, I'm waiting for 1 of these cards on Monday and I also would be really interested in what you did actually do in the end and if you sorted the idle buzz?...

I replaced the default radiator fan with a Noctua NF-F12 hooked up to a PWM header on the motherboard, and used a male mini-GPU PWM to female PWM adapter to connect the pump to another PWM header (running DC mode) on the motherboard. Next, I used speedfan to create custom fan controllers for both the radiator fan and the pump based on GPU temperature. Now, my PC is almost completely silent when idling, as it should be.

Cool !, glad you got it sorted and your a happy camper now :). After all changes what did you observe temp wise at idle with the pump dialled down abit?, and load temps with the Noctua fan?.

Also wouldn't it just be a case of dropping pump % down to when your machine idles at comfortable temps say 35c ish? Does it matter if the pump is around say 60% I only ask because you said pump is 80% at idle and don't dare go any lower, why? is that because of temps or the pump just shouldn't run at low % rate.

Quad5Ny
I'm in the same boat as you, I even run the radiator fan at 0 RPM during idle. The pump is the loudest thing in my system, and you can hear it even with a noise dampened case.

Back to the question, EVGA totally lets you take apart their cards without voiding the warranty. At least that is always the reply from the staff. The sticker is just so they can do a more thorough inspection of the card during a RMA. - BTW EVGA is actually following the law here, warranty void stickers aren't legally binding.

So if you can find or make a adapter that goes from whatever connector the GPU is using, and then run the pump off a MB or standalone controller, then you're welcome to do so.

Alternatively you can contact EVGA and they should setup a swap for a new card. I only mention this because many other forum members said the pump is 100% silent... I question how much hearing loss they have though (or how fast they run case fans).

Note: If you break the pump during disassembly or if you overheat and melt the card during any of this, then the repair cost is on you.

I have actually gone through an RMA for this card and both cards literally sounded identical under load and at idle.
Both had audible pump sound at idle and made a tiny bit more noise either from the pump or card when starting a benchmark/game.

EDIT: After seeing the sound yours made I don't think my buzzing is as bad as yours but definitely not silent as people have said on the amazon reviews.
Seeing this thread makes me feel so much more at ease. I might eventually go the route to control the pump but it's not THAT bad for me anyway despite one of the main reasons behind purchasing a card like this was lower noise... which it is in games at least.

jantjeuh
 I used speedfan to create custom fan controllers for both the radiator fan and the pump based on GPU temperature. 

I guess you don't have a z170 or z270 board or did you managed to make it work?

So the EVGA product page for the 1080 TI SC Hybrid that says "Asynchronously-cooled GPU and PWR components use iCX sensors to determine Pump/Fan speed" is just lying, the Pump really runs at 100% all the time?  There's nothing in the EVGA Precision software to control it?

gregts
I have the same problem with my 1080ti FTW3 Hybrid, the buzzing noise of the pump is driving me crazy.
I have invested in 5 silent wings 3 fans (2X140 intakes, 2X120 in a push config on the top Cpu radiator and 1X120 for the Hybrid radiator - EVGA's stock fan was kinda noisy) and all I can hear is this...
Kinda defeats the purpose of switching to a Hybrid card (mine is a kit). 
 
Thanks to zeetks, I found the cable on Ebay and ordered it in the hope that I can control the pump speed through my motherboard. 
Has anyone here done this? And if yes, which software do you use? I control everything with Asus Ai suite.

You should be able to use AI Suite to control the header you have it plugged into. It's basically the same as running a two wire 12V fan. Most recommend only running it as slow as you need to reduce the noise.

gregts

HeavyHemi You should be able to use AI Suite to control the header you have it plugged into. It's basically the same as running a two wire 12V fan. Most recommend only running it as slow as you need to reduce the noise.

 
That's what I plan to do when I receive the cable. I am going to route it from the pump to the CPU_OPT header on my motherboard (it's the only free header) and control it through AI Suite.
The only problem with AI Suite is it only allows you to regulate the percentage based on the CPU temps...that's why I asked if someone has found a software that allows you to specify what temps the curves are based on.
AI Suite is great overall but only allows you to read GPU temps off their own cards (asus rog strix)

I do not believe you want a variable pump speed. They are designed to run at a single speed. Find the highest speed that you can use and call it good. There's a thread around here somewhere with a guide to using SpeedFan.  https://forums.evga.com/T...RPM-mode-m2678869.aspx