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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 card is very quiet, barely audible, even within a quiet chassis. When gaming, the fan spins up noticeably, although it never becomes intrusive. When tasked with the synthetic Furmark stress test, the fan spins up dramatically, becoming clearly audible.
nice card, but why not go for a ti instread? seems a better deal to me.
I already have this card and the review is fair, it is a bit loud due to the single, small fan, but performance is great. THey should have made a dual fan version
Sparkle? didnt even know they were still going. they have a weak presense in UK. not the first company I would think of for a purchase.
looks like a decent card, but the cooler is quite poor considering the competition. You were too nice in the review
I think this card is pointless with new AMD cards launching soon and all that.
good review ! thanks kitguru !