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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
When idle, the N570 is very quiet, barely audible, even within a few feet. When gaming, the noise increases to just under 33 dBa, which is a great result for a performance oriented discrete graphics solution. Furmark stresses the card a little more, peaking around 35 dBa.
They make great cards, although I read a thread on guru3d last month from some guy who bought a similarly cooled card and he said it failed on him in the space of a few weeks. maybe he got unlucky.
570 is a great price now, very competitive and faster than HD6970 at reference clocks.
I would probably still spend a bit more on 580.
My frozr card was running v ery hot. IO removed the cooler, and replaced the thermal paste. it fixed the problem. its a common factory related issue going on threads on internet. whoever is applying paste is not applying enough.
Nice. good price for a modified card too. I am happy with my 560 however. I only game at 1080p and dont worry about anti aliasing.
Good range of cards, never owned one, but the reviews are always positive. I would always change the thermal paste on a card before using it, as factory application is always garbage.
This is why I never buy XFX, because you invalidate warranty now by taking the cooler off. (stickers on the screws).