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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 dBa. 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
With both HD5770 cards under full load we recorded a 38.4 dBa maximum output level. Under most conditions however the cards were generating >35dBa. This is an impressive set of results for a dual card configuration, helped by the efficiency of both coolers.
Well this makes a lot more sense to me than 2 XFX 5970 Black Editions. you could basically get this setup and a full PC with screens for the same price as two of the XFX cards.
Sure performance is much higher, but is it really needed? not sure I could tell the difference between 2aa and 8aa and 50fps or 150fps.
Great idea, the HD5770s have dropped alot from 170 ish to 130 or so in recent months, makes for a good pairing.
Only thing that put me off the XFX cards (well apart from the price) was the power drain and noise levels. A great showcase of XFX engineering capabilities, but not very realistic.
Still, good for different audiences. Wonder how many Flex editions sapphire have sol,d I saw it took them quite some time to get them to market after the first batch of reviews.
I already have plans to sell my monitor and get three matching screens. Then next year get a new system. I dont think its a great time to buy HD5770, not with new range out very soon.
Any ideas if Sapphire will bring out a new 6770 (or whatever they will call it) with Flex support? I might hang on till the new cards are out. I already have a HD5770 but might sell it.
I really rate the flex. its all about pricing and they aren’t charging much more for the 3 screen technology support. Displayport monitors still cost major cash. This opens the path to cheap, but good panels.
It is hard to argue with the price of that system (well apart from the 980x). using a 920 or 950 would drop the system price by 500 quid. Overall well worth approaching this angle. I was impressed with XFX 5970 CFx article, but the money outlay was ridiculous.
Really like these cards, the price is right !
Its hard to knock the price for the performance. Just a bit time to be buying 5 series cards I think
The flex was destined to be 180-190 quid. months ago. 140 seems a good deal, especially for a work environment. While im not sold on it as a gaming platform, with 2 cards it seems quite good.
They are sure to make a 6770 with flex support like this. the 5770 flex came out too late really. a bit like the nvidia boards in recent weeks. its too little to late.
very good review, those screens look great for the price. Cant get over that for 150 quid. I remember spending 800 on a 22 inch crt years ago.
lol yah, I spent a grand on a CRT for my first macintosh, a long time ago. its a good time to buy tech
The GTX 460 killed the 5830 and caused probs for 5850. HD5770 seems to be doing well at this price.
What a great system idea. handles most games well too.
I think people who spend over 500 on a video card are nuts. you dont need it.
500? I think people who spend over 300 are nuts. its not needed unless you are waving the epenis or trying to break benchmark figures. most games run fine on a GTS450.