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Recenttly we changed our method of measuring noise levels. We have built a system inside a Lian Li chassis with no case fans and have used a fanless cooler on our CPU. We are using a heatpipe based passive power supply and an Intel SSD to keep noise levels to a minimum. The motherboard is also passively cooled. This gives us a build with completely passive cooling and it means we can measure noise of just the graphics card inside the system when we run looped 3dMark tests. Ambient noise in the room is around 20-25dBa. We measure from a distance of around 1 meter from the chassis and 4 foot from the ground to mirror a real world situation.
Why do this? Well this means we can eliminate secondary noise pollution in the test room and concentrate on only the video card. It also brings us slightly closer to industry standards, such as DIN 45635.
KitGuru noise guide
10dBA – Normal Breathing/Rustling Leaves
20-25dBA – Whisper
30dBA – High Quality Computer fan
40dBA – A Bubbling Brook, or a Refridgerator
50dBA – Normal Conversation
60dBA – Laughter
70dBA – Vacuum Cleaner or Hairdryer
80dBA – City Traffic or a Garbage Disposal
90dBA – Motorcycle or Lawnmower
100dBA – MP3 player at maximum output
110dBA – Orchestra
120dBA – Front row rock concert/Jet Engine
130dBA – Threshold of Pain
140dBA – Military Jet takeoff/Gunshot (close range)
160dBA – Instant Perforation of eardrum
The HIS HD5850 is relatively quiet when idle, but is easily heard under load situations. It is not the quietest card we have had in our labs, but the HIS cards we have tested in the past are generally a little louder than other designs on the market.
Looks like a good board, HIS seem to be making a name for t hemselves lately
Good review, shame they didnt allow voltage increases on this card, it would overclock much better.
HIS arent very well known here, but they have a full range of cards for sale and they seem to be well designed.
Cant seem to see it for sale locally here for some reason.
Not a bad looking card, but the 5850 seems to be a bit of a not so good deal now with the 460 out.
Seems a good card, but nothing specatular.
Anyone think this is a good buy now,. HD5850 is a little overprice now I think, well it is here.
HIS, never heard of them 😉
Well this seems a solid, if someone bland card by todays standards. noise levels are decent and performance is good, overclocking is poor though and thats what tends to sell specific 5850s.
Powercolor make a good 5850 which seems quieter and a little better value, but this is good too.
I like this card seems to be competitively priced in Europe.
Shame about the voltage support, it would have possibly reached 5870 performance if it handled it.