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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 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 MSI N580GTX Lightning is a relatively quiet card, barely audible when gaming, averaging around 33 dBa. Under Furmark load this increases a little as the fan speeds increase to compensate.
I saw this at OCUK a while ago, over £400 for a video card. ouch.
Looks great, but I need a new job. my 460 will have to last a while longer
Their cards are great, they normally take a lot longer to get to retail, same with ASUS. its down to their engineering teams who make the mobos. always can do more than the main players we associate such as powercolor, evga etc.
Id rather have one of these than the hideous 590./ what a dogs dinner that card was.
I bet tho if MSI made a 590 they wuold get the power regulation wright.
Wicked card, love it
two of these in SLI for folding @ home = perfection.
WEll it certainly shows that Nvidia should have got MSI to built their GTX590 instead of skimping on the power delivery system.
Asus and MSI rock, I do think its best actually waiting for a few months for these guys to release the cards, rather than jump onboard earlier with a poorer version.
the power on these cards is so important. its becoming more noticeable now.
Can kitguru find out if they are making a GTX590 with enhanced power components? id love an 18 phase 590. ive held off buying one due to the recall and problems. Thank god I didnt have the money at the time or id be the not so proud owner of a turkey now.
Excellent, now you need to review their new one !
WOuldnt mind one of these myself, I can only dream !