Historically noiseless graphics cards with passive coolers were based on graphics processors from ATI Technologies. Quiet operation and high performance has been a serious trump in ATI’s hands, but looks like NVIDIA’s partners among add-in-cards makers now also want to offer something that is not only fast and noiseless, but provide something ATI-based rivals do not give.

Gainward this week kicked off its new SilentFX PowerPack! Ultra/980 XP “Professional” graphics card that features passive cooling system based on heat-pipe technology. Large aluminium heat-sink is capable of cooling down the GeForce FX 5700 graphics processor clocked at 425MHz and 256MB of memory at 550MHz without need for any additional fans. Due to the weight and dimension of the Gainward SilentFX heat-sink construction the Gainward SilentFX PowerPack! Ultra/980 XP Professional requires an AGP slot plus the space of an adjacent PCI slot.

The graphics card features video-in/video-out (VIVO) capability plus – a feature not available on any consumer Powered by ATI graphics card – two DVI connectors for digital displays. With DVI-to-D-Sub converters as well as S-Video support, the card offers the most comprehensive set of connectors available in the market..

Gainward is known for its extraordinary graphics cards based on NVIDIA graphics processing units at higher clock-speeds compared to reference products. Gainward's family of products includes exceptionally expensive GeForce FX graphics cards with water-cooling.

The Gainward SilentFX PowerPack! Ultra/980 XP “Professional” is immediately obtainable at an estimated street price of €199. Gainward also offers a dual-DVI GeForce FX 5700-based graphics cards with the same specifications, but with active cooler at €179.