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 20-25dBa. 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 card can be classed as one of the quieter HD 5770's that we have tested to date, peaking at around 34 dBa when under Furmark load (and the fan at 58%). Generally when gaming the solution is emitting around 32dBa of noise.
Thats a pretty good product, especially if you need a new gfx and your onboard lan is crap (like mine). I have a HD5770 already and I like it, I only game at weekends and ive found its fine, even with the newer engines on my tv.
Nice product, I like the cooler design, its rather funky looking. HD5770 is a good card, slightly overshadowed by the 460, although with the recent price drops to under 100 quid, its one of the finest value products on the market.
How would I get this into the UK: wouldnt customs be costly?
Finally a good review of this. no one else reviewed it ! Dont know how you guys do it being a Uk site, but kudos!
I want a replacement for my 5450 and I need a good lan card, been waiting for this for ages. just ordered it of newegg as it was 15 bucks less than Dells page which I had my eye on for a month.
thanks!
Yeah I saw Dell are selling this for $205 in the states. 15 bucks less on newegg, which is great.
Didnt powercolor do something similar? im sure its available in UK ?
HD5770 was a great board, its a bit long in the tooth now, although after seeing this one, I can see visiontek are offering something a little different, which is very cool. Like it.
They need to offer the Killer nic on something like a 6950 or 6870,.
I bought one of these for WOW and its transformed my clan games. love it.
Any ideas if they plan to bring this out in any other of their range? I like the idea, but the 5770 wont do what I need.
Great idea, id love to try the Killer NIC myself, but id be downgrading my card. and I dont fancy another slot gone for the dedicated card.
6970 and 6950 please chaps 🙂 Wonder why sapphier or XFX dont do it.
hello kitguru,
question, when if your GTX560 review going to come up? Also could you compare it to the EvGA FTW 460 or OC a GTX460 to those levels.