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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
We tested with the performance enthusiast bios setting (high), and the standard profile (low). The level of noise is noticeable with both bios settings, however it is significantly louder when toggled to the enthusiast setting. Unlike the HIS HD7950 the fans on the XFX card don't create an annoying pitch when spinning fast.
great looking board, but it looks like it might be more than £400………
I love the look of this card, like the 7970. Still too much cash for most people, they need a good performing card around £200. not £350-£500. very few people can afford any of these cards
Not questioning the hardware, but its such a small market. Im more interested in the £150 sector. and what AMD can do for that.
isn the logical move to buy the cheapest 7950 and just overclock the nuts off it ? dont see any need to spend a lot more above this, for a cooler.
Dont see this version on sale yet.