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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 two fan cooler is generally reasonably quiet, only when loaded does it become audible. Furmark isn't a real world test, but it is interesting to include as it is a theoretical ‘maximum' rated figure.
VTX3D, never heard of them ! nicely designed card, but yeah bit hot for my tastes my own 6850 hits 80c in furmark..
I like the fact they are trying to break the reference designs, thats normally left for Sapphire. my concern however is that this cooler isn’t adequate. I read another review of the powercolor card and they found the same thing, I think one of the systems actually SHUT down in some testing. Did you experience any hard locking Zardon?
This is not for me, but yeah its cool to see X2’s again.
Id rather get the GTX580 as it runs much cooler.
No stability problems when gaming no.
Good idea, but there are so many cards now for every price range, its sure to confuse people
I think this will be closer to 400 sterling due to vat and current crap economy here
Interesting concept idea from Powercolor. certainly got them some headlines lately
Compared to the GTX580, this seems a much better deal IMO. faster, cheaper. etc.
Seems like it is a problem to get it cooled adequately. Many enthusiast users want sub 80c temps under load. 80-90c+ isn’t really that good a selling point, even if it is massively difficult considering the power on hand.
I like it, however why not just get two 6870s, which will run cooler? I understand not everyone will have a crossfire capable board, but stil…..
biggest heatpipes ever on a video card? we should hold a vote to find out
Maybe this is why the 580 has dropped to £339?
isnt it 6 core? (12 threads) in cpu =)
Hi Pelle, it is indeed. 6 physical, 6 logical. 12 threads.