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Recently 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. 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.
We load the card with FurMark.
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
HIS have clearly configured this card to adopt a non aggressive fan profile, relying instead on the substantial cooler to disperse heat from the copper core, along the heatpipes and through the aluminum fins. The fan at idle spins at under 1,000 rpm, and is basically inaudible, unless you are close to the card and in a very quiet environment. When gaming, it is still extremely hard to hear, and only when stressed under Furmark does it become audible. It is still quiet however, registering a maximum of only 33 dBa.
This is one of the quietest performance cards we have tested this year.
I really would love to know what they are thinking with these coolers’ they are so mad looking id love to see the development team behind them 🙂
Great cards though, as has been proven over the last year.
I like the appearance ! its very different. the price seems to be good. most of them are 280?
This is a far east design, they don’t get enough feedback from westerners with their card design. look at the difference between sapphire and HIS for designs.
I am not saying its a problem for HIS, but the differences are in the cultural designs between the companies.
They aren’t a make I normally look at. this is one ugly card. Not sure I could get past that.
The only problem for me is that the GTX570 is a better card and faster. I doubt many people use more than one monitor. its pointless saying its any different.
24 inch screen 1920×1080 is the average ‘enthusiast’ panel size and res
What a bonkers design, someone has been on the jack daniels during the design phase
Sapphire for me im afraid,. I dont think HIS have a reptuation yet for these kind of cards.
Temps are high IMO too.
How far is that over the edge of the PCB? that might prove a fitting issue in some cases I would think
People always bitch about HIS, ive owned three of their cards and I think they aer very good. warranty is always strong with retailers too. no problems buying one.
great product, id buy this, but its a little much for me im happy with my 5 series card. waiting for 7 series !
Is it just me or are there just too many cards out on the market to keep track of? I keep forgetting who has what out. The MSI card is the best imo, but its over 300 still I think
Two of these in CFx would be great. 6 screen gaming possible? 3×3 side by side and vertically mounted? might need three of them? anyone know?
Someone in that company has been on the tequila during a design phase of this card!
It works well, thats the funny thing…
Looks like we are back at 2000.
How come another site got theres upto 1050mhz core clock at 70 degrease none the less?
Every card is different, they don’t all overclock the same. Some publications use different methods to test temperatures.
Thanks for the quick reply 🙂