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Recently we 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 noise levels of the HIS board are reasonably good, its barely audible at idle, and then clearly audible under load with our stress testing. This wouldn't be our first choice for a media center system, but the results are decent regardless.
the pages were broken there, but I see its fixed now. Good review steve thanks. seems a decent board and its nice to see a custom cooler which doesnt dump all the heat out into the chassis.
Interesting to see HIS with such a strong range of custom solutions. seems they along with powercolor are getting into a very competitive market with sapphire.
HIS are a good maker but I notice their cards always seem a little louder than some other makes. same with the HD5870 which I read about on several sites before.
I can’t believe how cheap those systems cost for the american users. 600 bucks for a system like that in total, would be like twice that here.
5 series has such good power consumption ratings, very impressive, still even now.
INExpensive cards, but still good performers. ive been using a standard hd5770 to play starcraft 2 at 1920×1200 and its perfectly fine. Its good value, best on the market.
HIS seem a decent make going on the reviews here. so much competition now in the ATI sector that its hard to know which card to go for !
The all important question I need answered and im hoping Kitguru can find out, what is their support and replacement policy like in the UK and USA? this is quit often the selling point with so many people making these boards.
Hey Steve Ruxton, what is HIS warranty like? if it fails, how long have I got? I am in Canada like you. Have they a decent replacement/repair/replace policy? They are far east make, im always dubious.
Mixed reports on google, some say its fine, others say it sucks. I think this is why Sapphire do so well, they have a dedicated team handling RMAs.
Any info from kitguru would help however as I agree, before I buy anything, I want to know their support policies.
I will contact HIS regarding their warranty/replacement policy
Steve, thank you very much my man hope its positive feedback 🙂
Funnily enough I was just going to ask the same question – have HIS got any good support at all for customers or is it just rubbish outside far east?
isnt it a year in the USA? thought it was last time I looked.
Well finally a 5770 with a proper air forced cooler. most of them lately have had coolers which push all the hot air into the chassis inside, which is not a good system.
Sadly I just read about the new single slot HD5770s which puts these to pasture…….
Nice to see some USA based reviews on KitGuru, Ive nothing against the UK, but its good to see a selection from other people !
Well this was a good review Steve, thanks. Is the noise ok, even when gaming? im trying to build a system inside a silverstone SG07 and I was wondering if it was ok for media use too. at basically idle.
Very good review, like the noise testing here, always very useful. this one seems a bit louder than a few of the more silent HD5770s – wonder if these are worth a CF configuration down the line or would they be too loud in a pair.
thanks, read this earlier during my lunch break, shame powercolor and XFX announced single slot designs lol. this was a good first choice.
The HD5770 is surprisingly good, was refreshing to read a reviewer not demanding a HD5870 in CFX for good gaming.
for those that asked, I was able to take the fan speed up to 65% before it became what i consider borderline annoying in any way, even at those speeds it is quieter then the reference models.