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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
The XFX coolers are very good, improving significantly on the reference solutions.
great looking cards. still a bit costly for what you get I think. Crossfire any better than it was a few years ago? nothing worked when I had two cards. (well worked the way it should have). That is why I moved to nvidia.
I wasnt impressed. but I can see the merit with two of them in Crosfire.
Have to ask. Would the people buying one of these really be able to afford two?
This is why crossfire makes sense. Obviously we have the rich guys who buy two high end boards to break benchmark scores, but back in the real world. you buy one, use it for a while, save up. then get another. you have high end card power for less money with less initial outlay.
First time ive seen a company sell a bundle, with two in it. with two free games those cards work out at £135. its not bad value considering.