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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. The motherboard is also passively cooled. This gives us a build with almost 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 almost silent with the fan spinning around 1,100rpm. When gaming, this spins up to around 1,900 rpm and is noticeable, but never intrusive. Pushing the core harder with the synthetic stress test Furmark raises the fan spin higher (2,100rpm), emitting around 35.7 dBa.
for F*(k sake, I got a 7870 for my downstairs pc. sighs……..
My own HD7870 scores 2.1k less in 3dmark 11. yeah thats a nice upgrade for the same price as the last HD7870.
looks like a good card, I like the cooler design, its very neat. not like some of those HIS monsters which take up 1/3 extra space.
all the free games with it is cool too.
ordered one, cant wait 🙂
Will this be available in the US soon and if yes, at what price can we expect this to launch at? I’m very interested in it.
Hi alex, i would say it will hit there, pricing should be similar… Worth checking newegg. Other partners will have them in the new year, so ive been told.
Powercolor has this card now, it’s the mystery edition 7870pcs+. I’m wondering if any full cover waterblock would fit these cards?