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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. 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 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
The card is quiet, even when gaming, rating between 29 dBa and 33.3 dBa. When pushed under Furmark synthetic conditions, the fans spin up higher, emitting more noise.
very impressive bit of hardware, but it might be released at a weak time for sales. I think a lot of people are expecting new cards from nvidia in the next 60 days……
then again 580 is a brilliant card, I own one. have for a year.
Thats a very good card design. Three fans, and metal backplate. looks like they went the full monty on this release. Dont see it for sale anywhere yet to confirm the price. I cant see them getting this out for £400.
Never seen many reviews on KFA2. Are they the replacement for BFG? the artwork looks similar.
They put a lot of work into their coolers, but its a shame they didnt use arctic again for this product. their fans are better.
Wow, that is one serious mofo of a card.
Yeah thats what im talkin about Nvidia ! cant wait for the new gen of hardware.
While its nice, its still a last gen card. going to be hard for KFA2 to sell that today, IMO. I like the cooler, they put a bit of thought into the design. Tri SLI anyone?
behind the 7970 and scores 7970 is in 3D mark 11 hahahahahaha
Pointless card is pointless:
1. Cause the 7970 stock is a better choice
2. Cause nvidia is rumoured to paper launch GK 104 card in a month and have it available on the market in a few weeks after that. The word on the streets is the GK104 might be a major improvement over the GTX 580 despite the rumoured smaller bus width.
Sure, it could happen. But to call this product ‘pointless’ is a little harsh. Its one of the best 580s on the market.
Without a doubt this is one of the fastest moving industries, almost every piece of hardware will be replaced by a faster or better product within a couple of months anyway. Its difficult to review something solely on what might happen a month or two down the line. I did mention the upcoming range however in the review….
just got this for $210 on craigs. this is the sickest graphics card ive ever owned!!!!! it tops out at about 880mhz core wich is INSANE!!!and the voltage comes pretweaked! and did i forget to mention it lights up on top??