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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 system generates a lot of noise when first powered up, but it drops quickly. This isn't the quietest system we have tested, although OCUK have opted for an aggressive fan profile from the cooling system.
I like the case, but i would personally have opted for a cheaper cooler for the CPU, a smaller storage drive, maybe even 4GB of ram. With the money saved on those, it could be put into the graphics card.
Another 7770 would make a lot of difference in regards to the gaming power, but im surprised that the 7770 is quite capable at 1080p anyway with a lot of games. just shows how overkill the really high end cards are for most people.
Good points:
good CPU and cooler choice
case is great.
Bad points.
the machine is really not classed as a gamers machine with a 7770 in it. I think they could have balanced it a little better by lowering the cost of some items as someone else said and by then maybe using a grade up in the discrete department.
Also the case needs more OCUK branding on it. This is why Alienware and Dell sell well for such expensive systems. you are buying something that looks like nothing else. Like Apple.
Shame they couldnt work with a company to do special colours and logos on their system builds. it might attract more attention.