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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
Noise levels are excellent, with roughly the same levels of dBa emission as the GTX580 we recently reviewed. This makes sense as the cooler looks identical.
Its a tough call. I see all the nvidia sponsored titles, the TWIMTBP all score higher on the GTX570, but hAWX 2? come on, there must be something well dodgy going on there! Nice review thanks.
Good boards, glad to see no bias here, fair review all round.
They are good boards no doubt about it. power consumption is still highish, but I suppose with this power output it is required. still think AMD have the edge on that.
Hang on, Haev I missed something? the GTX570 can only power 2 screens? wtf.
my brother is buying me one for christmas 🙂 im lucky I know !
I know everyone seems disappointed with the 6970 but i prefer it to this card. but im waiting on a cooler from a third party as AMD reference coolers suck arse.
HD6970 is a good board but its dissappointing. ive saved enough money up for the 6990 in the last 4 months. waiting patiently. You got one already Zardon?
I used to read your nV reviews on launch day, but nvidia products seem to be much slower now being reviewed here 🙁
Were I am, the GTX570 is cheaper than the HD6970. I think the GTX570 is a better card for what I would need. I dont want to game on multiple screens. but I can see the advantages with AMDs technology.
Its really cool they give away a mouse mat. if I see another call of duty modern warfare 2 bundle ill kill someone.
the cooler is identical to the GTX580 isnt it ?
Great review, think I prefer the 6970 tho
Hard to choose between this and 6970, both are v good. Shame AMD can’t launch an assault on Nvidia 580
It’s good, but I’d only spend 200 on a card , still quite happy with the460
They are doing a good job making up for lost time. Can’t fault the price
I think a lot of the video games are nodded to run particularly well on Nvidia hardware. Look at hawk 2. Must be a similar stunt to the original hawx
Twimtbp my ass.
No point in buying these high end boards. The pc gaming market is in a shocking state this year and I cant see anything on. The horizon to change it. Crysis 2, I’m pretty sure it will suck