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So as you can see, the GTX 1060 SC idles at 45% fan speed, and it is also locked to a minimum of 45% from the BIOS, meaning you can't go any lower with tools like Precision and Afterburner.



But I simply don't understand why this is necessary. The GTX 960 SC which has pretty much the exact same cooler has a 0DB mode on idle, where the fans shut off. If anything, idle temps with the passive cooling should be just as good if not better with the GTX 1060 SC.



I'm not worried about the noise at all (1100 RPM is practically silent for me), but I'm worried about the wear and tear of the card. I game maybe 1-2 hours on average a day at most, but the PC stays on for at least half a day. It's going to inevitably shorten the life of the fan, and increase dust collection...no?



I hope some EVGA reps can clear this up. It's pretty disappointing, cause the GTX 1060 SC otherwise looks like a beast of a card! (60C load temps FTW!!!)

Link: http://www.legitreviews.com/nvidia-evga-geforce-gtx-1060-video-card-review_184301/11 So as you can see, the GTX 1060 SC idles at 45% fan speed, and it is also locked to a minimum of 45% from the BIOS, meaning you can't go any lower with tools like Precision and Afterburner.But I simply don't understand why this is necessary. The GTX 960 SC which has pretty much the exact same cooler has a 0DB mode on idle, where the fans shut off. If anything, idle temps with the passive cooling should be just as good if not better with the GTX 1060 SC.I'm not worried about the noise at all (1100 RPM is practically silent for me), but I'm worried about the wear and tear of the card. I game maybe 1-2 hours on average a day at most, but the PC stays on for at least half a day. It's going to inevitably shorten the life of the fan, and increase dust collection...no?I hope some EVGA reps can clear this up. It's pretty disappointing, cause the GTX 1060 SC otherwise looks like a beast of a card! (60C load temps FTW!!!) #1 30 Replies Related Threads

the_Scarlet_one EVGA Forum Moderator Total Posts : 20510

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Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) Every card before the 900 series ran constant fan speeds. There wasn't a 0db fan option, outside of using a waterblock.



45% is right where the 750ti was sitting because it had a 2 pin fan, and was controlled by power from the card. I wonder if Nvidia went with a 2 pin on this series.

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himmatsj iCX Member Total Posts : 381

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Ribbons : 0 Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) I did have an EVGA 750 SC (non Ti) myself, and that too idled at 42%. I don't have an issue with noise, it's just that people say the fan wears out slower in 0DB mode.



Speaking of which, indeed I should check out other cards with reference PCB and see if they have 0DB mode or not.

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Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink)







The statement that fans don't wear out as quick with 0db is a fact. A cars engine doesn't wear out if it is turned off either. But if you turn your car off at every single stop light, you are going to damage the starter. It's uncommon for fans to wear out on the gpu. The 1060 pcb only has a two pin fan from what shows on Google.The statement that fans don't wear out as quick with 0db is a fact. A cars engine doesn't wear out if it is turned off either. But if you turn your car off at every single stop light, you are going to damage the starter. It's uncommon for fans to wear out on the gpu.

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himmatsj iCX Member Total Posts : 381

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Ribbons : 0 Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) I never knew two pin fans existed. So what about them disallows 0DB mode? Can they even be altered at all using Afterburner?

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Ribbons : 97 Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) Personally, I would never let my GPU(s) run (idle or loaded) without the fans running. My 970's have a bios with the 0db setting. I would only use it if I have MSI AB or EVGA PrecX set up to run with a custom fan curve keeping the fans running at a minimum when idle.

















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Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) I don't think you need to worry about the gpu fan burning out as it most likely has a 100,000 hour life expectancy rating.

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Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) himmatsj

I never knew two pin fans existed. So what about them disallows 0DB mode? Can they even be altered at all using Afterburner?





It would take a power from the card rerouting power directly to the fan over and over. Everyone it turned on, it would have to reroute power. They may find it best to leave it running all the time so that the card stays stable. It would take a power from the card rerouting power directly to the fan over and over. Everyone it turned on, it would have to reroute power. They may find it best to leave it running all the time so that the card stays stable.

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Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) We will be updating to a 0dB fan mode.





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Ribbons : 0 Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) Scarlet-Tech

himmatsj

I never knew two pin fans existed. So what about them disallows 0DB mode? Can they even be altered at all using Afterburner?





It would take a power from the card rerouting power directly to the fan over and over. Everyone it turned on, it would have to reroute power. They may find it best to leave it running all the time so that the card stays stable.







Scarlet-Tech, I just want to ask you, Let's say I get the fan to spin at 20% on idle (below 50C, a flat 20%). Is a low speed "bad" for the GPU? Or is it fine? Cause maybe 45% may be too much, and sometimes 0% may be ineffective, so is it OK for a user to customize it to between 20-30% at idle? Or is it "too slow" and will cause the fan to get spoil? Is there such a thing?

Scarlet-Tech, I just want to ask you, Let's say I get the fan to spin at 20% on idle (below 50C, a flat 20%). Is a low speed "bad" for the GPU? Or is it fine? Cause maybe 45% may be too much, and sometimes 0% may be ineffective, so is it OK for a user to customize it to between 20-30% at idle? Or is it "too slow" and will cause the fan to get spoil? Is there such a thing? #10

the_Scarlet_one EVGA Forum Moderator Total Posts : 20510

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Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) Yes. 20% would be perfectly fine, but you would need a fan that could do it. Just above you, Jacob said they would look into the 0db. I don't know much about 2 pin fans, but I seem to remember the 750/750ti having an issue of the fan not working properly below 42% or something. It could be something along those lines with the initial bios. Either you get 0 rpm or a minimum 42% to get them to work properly.



I know with pwm fans, you can go to barely moving and they work just fine, since it's just a fluctuating signal telling the fan how fast to go.

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Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) Most DC controlled fans can't run that low. It's my understanding most DC fans need at least 30-40% power to get going reliably at speed. PWM fan can run all the way down to 10% or so because they get full power, just control the speed electronically. Pretty sure a 2pin fan wouldn't have that capability, you'd need at least 3 if you gave up the speed reporting pin.



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himmatsj iCX Member Total Posts : 381

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Do you mean to say that these 2-pin fans cannot be controlled at all via apps like MSI AB and EVGA PX?



And do these 2-pin fans even respond to changes in temperatures? If no, how do they know when to switch fan speeds?



Look at this GPU-Z reading for the EVGA GTX 1060 SC:



The fan speed/RPM seems to be constant at 57% under load. Zero fluctuations. So that means it doesn't dynamically scale higher/lower as the temps change? Also does it mean the fan only has two preset values: idle and load?



Also, is that 45% a number that EVGA would have specifically chosen for the minimum speed of the fan, or does it actually truly mean that the fan cannot spin below 45% (assuming the BIOS has a lock and that it can be overridden)?

post edited by himmatsj - Scarlett-Tech, I need some more clarification regarding this matter.Do you mean to say that these 2-pin fans cannot be controlled at all via apps like MSI AB and EVGA PX?And do these 2-pin fans even respond to changes in temperatures? If no, how do they know when to switch fan speeds?Look at this GPU-Z reading for the EVGA GTX 1060 SC: http://www.legitreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/evga-GTX1060-Temps.jpg The fan speed/RPM seems to be constant at 57% under load. Zero fluctuations. So that means it doesn't dynamically scale higher/lower as the temps change? Also does it mean the fan only has two preset values: idle and load?Also, is that 45% a number that EVGA would have specifically chosen for the minimum speed of the fan, or does it actually truly mean that the fan cannot spin below 45% (assuming the BIOS has a lock and that it can be overridden)? #13

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Ribbons : 0 Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) EVGA_JacobF

We will be updating to a 0dB fan mode.





Does that mean future models, or will it be via driver/firmware?

Does that mean future models, or will it be via driver/firmware? #14

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Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) himmatsj

Scarlett-Tech, I need some more clarification regarding this matter.



Do you mean to say that these 2-pin fans cannot be controlled at all via apps like MSI AB and EVGA PX?



And do these 2-pin fans even respond to changes in temperatures? If no, how do they know when to switch fan speeds?



Look at this GPU-Z reading for the EVGA GTX 1060 SC: http://www.legitreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/evga-GTX1060-Temps.jpg



The fan speed/RPM seems to be constant at 57% under load. Zero fluctuations. So that means it doesn't dynamically scale higher/lower as the temps change? Also does it mean the fan only has two preset values: idle and load?



Also, is that 45% a number that EVGA would have specifically chosen for the minimum speed of the fan, or does it actually truly mean that the fan cannot spin below 45% (assuming the BIOS has a lock and that it can be overridden)?





I can't explain it any better than I have. I can't explain it any better than I have.

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ipkha CLASSIFIED Member Total Posts : 2233

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Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) More than likely, they'll have to put zero power to fan header at idle, 45% is probably the best setting after the 60 degree threshold and a ramp up from there. There's no pin to control the fan speed exactly like the PWM style fans.



Fans use 2 pins minimum.

3 pin fans are voltage controlled, thus your cheap fan controller puts between 5v and 12v to fan. Any less and the fan won't be able to start. The 3rd pin is a speed sensor to report back to controller.

4 pin fans have 2 power pins, 1 speed reporting pin and 1 PWM control circuit. This allows the fan to pull all 12v to the motor and an electronic speed controller to precisely pulse the motor to achieve pinpoint speed control. This is why they can down rpm in the 10% range.



A DC controlled fan generally needs at least 30% power to start spinning. Many fan controllers won't let you drop below 40% as some fans need that to get going. So 12V X 45% =5.4V which is close to that 5V needed to get the fan going. Thanks it can ramp up to the full 12V and run at 100%.



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himmatsj iCX Member Total Posts : 381

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See here:





Would the fact that the fan plug has four wires going in to it mean that it is a 4-pin or not?See here: http://www.evga.com/products/images/gallery/06G-P4-6163-KR_XL_6.jpg #17

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Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) It may have a 4 pin fan, and then a 2 pin led control, but I have never seen an LED on a X60 series card. Maybe Nvidia made a good move forward. Not many people have this card in hand, so you will need someone that has one to show it off.

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Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) Well that looks like a 4 pin fan alright.

So in that case it should easily be controllable by the PrecisionX OC software. Not sure why it's locked in the BIOS though.I wonder if it's a glitch or intended. I'm leaning towards glitch since Jacob said they'll be adding it.



Sorry about the confusion, I see now where the conversation got derailed (750 ti).



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EVGA_JacobF EVGA Product Manager Total Posts : 16393

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Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) We are working on a new firmware update that will allow for 0db under idle. This update will be applied to new production cards and available for download for existing.





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himmatsj iCX Member Total Posts : 381

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Ribbons : 0 Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) ipkha

Well that looks like a 4 pin fan alright.

So in that case it should easily be controllable by the PrecisionX OC software. Not sure why it's locked in the BIOS though.I wonder if it's a glitch or intended. I'm leaning towards glitch since Jacob said they'll be adding it.



Sorry about the confusion, I see now where the conversation got derailed (750 ti).







So you mean to say the 750/Ti had a preset minimum speed because it had 2-pins and that corresponded to the lowest possible 5V value, and the card can then scale freely above that from 5V-12V?

So you mean to say the 750/Ti had a preset minimum speed because it had 2-pins and that corresponded to the lowest possible 5V value, and the card can then scale freely above that from 5V-12V? #21

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Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) Yes.



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Ribbons : 0 Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) EVGA_JacobF

We are working on a new firmware update that will allow for 0db under idle. This update will be applied to new production cards and available for download for existing.









Great news, thanks!

Great news, thanks! #23

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Ribbons : 0 Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) 0dB mode will be also available for the non SC card? #24

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Ribbons : 0 Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) Where would I look for this vBIOS once it's released? #25

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Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) Uzanar

Where would I look for this vBIOS once it's released?





Just send an inquiry to Just send an inquiry to Support@EVGA.com or create a ticket under your product list for the GPU and the support staff can forward it to you.

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Ribbons : 0 Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) Scarlet-Tech Just send an inquiry to or create a ticket under your product list for the GPU and the support staff can forward it to you.



Okay, thanks for the fast answer.

Do you think they will announce it in any way or should I just do it instantly when I get my card?

post edited by Uzanar - Okay, thanks for the fast answer.Do you think they will announce it in any way or should I just do it instantly when I get my card? #27

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Ribbons : 3 Re: EVGA GTX 1060 (SC) idles at 45% fan speed, BIOS locked to the same speed as well permalink) EVGA_JacobF

We are working on a new firmware update that will allow for 0db under idle. This update will be applied to new production cards and available for download for existing.







Will this be coming for the 1080 FE as well? I just made a thread about this a few days ago.

Will this be coming for the 1080 FE as well? I just made a thread about this a few days ago. http://forums.evga.com/EV...-running-m2517860.aspx

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I can confirm that we will not have a 0db fan BIOS for the 1070/1080 Founder Edition models.



FattysGoneWild

EVGA_JacobF

We are working on a new firmware update that will allow for 0db under idle. This update will be applied to new production cards and available for download for existing.







Will this be coming for the 1080 FE as well? I just made a thread about this a few days ago. http://forums.evga.com/EV...-running-m2517860.aspx









Hi,I can confirm that we will not have a 0db fan BIOS for the 1070/1080 Founder Edition models.





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