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We have 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. The motherboard is also passively cooled. This gives us a build with almost 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 closed 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
All of the cards are almost silent when idle, and when loaded rise to around 34dBa-36dBa. No noise related concerns with any of these cards.
Wow, that Sapphire card is really good. I had imagined I would get a prodigy case later this year and get a small video card for it ,just for video acceleration and image quality.
This looks the card to get.
I admit, you got me there.
i was expecting the HIS or XFX to win this, but you focused on EXACTLY the right points. power consumption, noise, size, lack of power connector etc.
Great job from sapphire, exactly what i need for my system, im using onboard and it sucks so badly for HD video. people dont understand the IQ differences between Intel on a CPU and a dedicated AMD card like this. its night and day. especially for colours and noise reduction options in the panel.
A HD7770 or GTX460 is more than enough, even today, for 1080p gaming. people get a false idea that a 7970 or 690 is ‘needed’. those are three screen solutions now. save the money, pick up one of these cards, classic little cost effective beasts.
Not sure im a big fan of these cards, but the sapphire model makes sense. im still wanting the 660, just trying to make sure I dont cripple myself for next month as I need to eat too.
Some good overclocks, but I agree, why did they reduce the shaders from 800? typical fing stupid AMD at times. they could be doing so much better if they had people making decisions who understood the gamers.
I like the HIS card best im afraid, if they hit £99.99 count me in for my second system.
These aren’t good enough for 1080p gaming, I want 60 fps, sorry. but good pricing now for people without the cash for a £200 card,. thats the sweet spot.
Am I missing something?
They are releasing ‘new’ 7750’s at 900mhz+? havent they been out for months already? you guys reviewed many.
bonkers AMD move. just drop the price, dont re-release them with bios updates. seems XFX were left out of the loop. Nice black reference edition :p
I bought a Sapphire flex 6770 flex from the last generation and its still good. I dont use AA and I have my system into a 37 inch tv. runs well.
Dont get sucked into the hype of needing 120fps for gaming, its bollocks.