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POLL: What should be the reference noise level at which graphics cards should be tested?

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  • Performance
  • Tom's Hardware
  • Graphics Cards
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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What should be the reference noise level at which graphics cards should be tested?

Total: 28 votes

  • 35 dB(A)
  • 15 %
  • 40 dB(A)
  • 36 %
  • 45 dB(A)
  • 15 %
  • 50 dB(A)
  • 8 %
  • 55 dB(A)
  • 4 %
  • I don't know - it's your job to figure it out!
  • 25 %
February 11, 2014 8:53:02 PM

Hello Tom's Hardware community. As you may have seen in The Myths Of Graphics Card Performance: Debunked, Part 1, we've introduced a new type of test that compares graphics cards performance at a set noise level. We arbitrarily picked 40 dB(A) as a starting point. We've received quite a bit of feedback as different users feeling different levels were more/less appropriate. Now we'd like your input into what noise level should become the actual "reference" level. Answering "I don't know - it's your job to figure it out!" is fine!

As always, we appreciate your input!

- Filippo Scognamiglio

More about : poll reference noise level graphics cards tested

a b U Graphics card
February 11, 2014 9:14:57 PM

Why not just pick a temperature, say 85C, and see how much noise/fan speed is needed to keep that?
February 11, 2014 9:38:46 PM

cookybiscuit said:
Why not just pick a temperature, say 85C, and see how much noise/fan speed is needed to keep that?


While in theory that might seem a good idea, in practice:
A) Different cards have different thermal tolerances
B) It is really, really, hard to set a temperature target as cards will vary fan speeds and throttle core frequencies in ways that makes temperatures bounce around quite a bit more often than not
Related resources
a b U Graphics card
February 11, 2014 10:55:48 PM

mechan said:
cookybiscuit said:
Why not just pick a temperature, say 85C, and see how much noise/fan speed is needed to keep that?


While in theory that might seem a good idea, in practice:
A) Different cards have different thermal tolerances
B) It is really, really, hard to set a temperature target as cards will vary fan speeds and throttle core frequencies in ways that makes temperatures bounce around quite a bit more often than not

A temperature limit based on what the weakest card can take makes sense, though I get its a harder test to perform between cards, much easier on cards of the same brand and model.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-670-tes...

The 'cooling to 70C' bit of this provides pretty definitive proof that the Asus card is best. With any other sort of test you have pretty much no idea because the temperatures and noise are all over the place.
a b U Graphics card
February 14, 2014 9:44:09 PM

How will the average Joe know how loud 50 dB(A) really is? He's going to pick the lowest values.
a c 667 U Graphics card
February 15, 2014 9:52:36 AM

You have to pick a lower than average noise level in order for the test to worth it. If you pick a high value, you will be staying within most cards' normal operating noise thresholds, allowing them to run at full throttle. The test will end up being a normal test that doesn't get at the noise-performance ratio you're seeking.
February 18, 2014 6:08:27 PM

Well, a video of the cards running at a certain DB would help, like Toms did with the various R9 290X cards.
Even tho they all had about similar decibels, some sounded whinier (more aggravating sound).
So it's not just about recorded levels of decibels, also the character of the noise matters.
a b U Graphics card
February 18, 2014 7:24:09 PM

Good thought.
a c 1417 U Graphics card
February 22, 2014 6:43:34 AM

All I am really interested in is the cards performance and noise at full gaming performance. For that reason I avoided the geforce FX5800 in its time just as the R9 290(X) reference cards now which finally may have topped the aforementioned FX5800 on noise. So really I do not see the point in this comparison.
a c 97 U Graphics card
February 22, 2014 5:46:51 PM

I don't mind my system being loud under load. I just want it quiet when browsing / idling
a b U Graphics card
March 6, 2014 1:48:21 PM

[OFFTOPIC]
BTW, I noticed an error/misunderstanding in your article. G-Sync's variable refresh rate does NOT fix "ghosting" or motion blur at all; it does not even help a little bit! Motion blur can ONLY be fixed by adding back the CRT-"flicker" to monitors. (Side note: G-sync monitors actually include a "strobe mode" that enables this CRT flicker, but it disables the variable refresh rate feature: aka it disables G-sync mode.)
I sent you a private message with the details; if you could take a look, I could give you more info via private message.
a b U Graphics card
March 10, 2014 9:36:44 PM

I think that when gpus are tested for game performance, they should include an audio clip, so ppl can hear what that card sounds like in comparison to the other cards. A reference card should be chosen, that being the average performer and audio one.
a c 176 U Graphics card
March 19, 2014 6:54:23 PM

mechan said:
Hello Tom's Hardware community. As you may have seen in The Myths Of Graphics Card Performance: Debunked, Part 1, we've introduced a new type of test that compares graphics cards performance at a set noise level. We arbitrarily picked 40 dB(A) as a starting point. We've received quite a bit of feedback as different users feeling different levels were more/less appropriate. Now we'd like your input into what noise level should become the actual "reference" level. Answering "I don't know - it's your job to figure it out!" is fine!

As always, we appreciate your input!

- Filippo Scognamiglio


Thats a hard choice, the frequency of the noise at the same dB can effect how it leaks out of the case and how every individuals perceive how loud it is.Also the type of case, or if your testing without a case. I think just use your ears and if a graphics card is overbearingly loud, just note it as part of the review.
March 21, 2014 5:15:25 AM

This must be the most interesting tread ever. Very delightful to read though.
I really choose the lowest db for having infants, highest during the day, semi during afternoon ect.
a b U Graphics card
March 25, 2014 9:11:12 AM

to me it should be more about temperatures than noise level...i usualy set a fan curve and i want my GPU to be under 70c, that i think is how GPU should be tested for noise level and heat
a b U Graphics card
March 29, 2014 4:59:43 PM

I can't stand noise! I think I might have some form of Misophonia.

My room (where my PC is) has about 10 dB of ambient noise if that. The only fans in my PC are the CPU fan, the PSU fan and the GPU fan. I have both side panels of my case removed and from about a year I've switched only to SSD due to HDD spinning noise bothering me. I am not using any CD or DVD rom either lol.

When idle measuring from about 1 meter away my PC is at about 20dB. I have also manually locked my GPU fan not to go over 41% as for me it's the only bearable setting.

So I guess different people have different preferences. I would appreaciate if future tests were conducted at lowest possible ambient noise levels.
a b U Graphics card
March 29, 2014 9:08:28 PM

NASA has a 0db quiet room they use for testing astronauts. They estimate that for most mature well adjusted adults, any longer than 3 hours in that room will be enough to drive them over the edge.

If your room really is 10db ambient, I'd suggest turning on the radio. Background noise has been shown to help in concentration because it forces the brain to focus on the given task by actively ignoring the background noise.

Pretty much what that means is you are driving yourself further into nut-dom by eliminating noise sources. :D 
a c 97 U Graphics card
March 29, 2014 9:43:16 PM

Quote:

Pretty much what that means is you are driving yourself further into nut-dom by eliminating noise sources. :D 

Pretty much. There is a certain balance of noise.
Too noisy is annoying but too quiet is annoying too

What about -9 dB? http://news.discovery.com/human/life/worlds-quietest-ro...
a b U Graphics card
March 29, 2014 9:53:51 PM

hah hah yep. see.

still trying ti figure out how you can have negative noise levels. Whats quieter than silent?
a c 97 U Graphics card
March 29, 2014 10:07:14 PM

0db = 20micropascal of air pressure. It is of course possible to go below it but humans can not generally hear below 0db
a c 130 U Graphics card
April 1, 2014 10:00:17 AM

Personally I think trying to bench cards at a set dB level is just as flawed and full of variables as you are saying using a set temperature is while being far less relevant or useful as part of a review. Different coolers and fan bios settings on different brands of cards will give you just the same variances as you speak of.
As a bit of fun for interest it cant hurt but for real world usefulness its a non starter to me.
Performance is relevant as after all that's what the consumer wants and temperature is important as it either indicates that there is overclocking room to be had thermally or that the cooler is not that good or the chips just run hot.
Either way its good info which people can use to help base a purchase on.
Sorry but the FPS a card can achieve for a set db figure has no value to anything.as far as I can see.
Or am i missing the point ?

Mactronix
April 1, 2014 10:51:51 PM

mechan said:
cookybiscuit said:
Why not just pick a temperature, say 85C, and see how much noise/fan speed is needed to keep that?


While in theory that might seem a good idea, in practice:
A) Different cards have different thermal tolerances
B) It is really, really, hard to set a temperature target as cards will vary fan speeds and throttle core frequencies in ways that makes temperatures bounce around quite a bit more often than not


Actually 95 is universal max :)  otherwise the cold soldering melts at 105.

Also,

1. Number of fans variying from 1 - 3 which puts too many factors in to dictate a cards "maximum" noise level
2. Different cards, different gpu and different heat dissipation methods also make hard to factor a real optimal noise level

I guess it's really personal preference and wither or not want you GPU to Melt or sound like 200 2 stroke mopeds just crashed.
a b U Graphics card
April 5, 2014 5:14:50 PM

why the hell should noise level be important? just use a noise cancellation headphones.
a b U Graphics card
April 6, 2014 1:09:26 AM

Not everyone has them, and not everyone has same scenarios.
May 5, 2014 8:38:01 PM

Personally I'd prefer 2 separate charts, one for temperature at idle and under max load(prime95?).
And the second chart depicting noise level starting at 0db, and also showing idle and max noise levels.
a b U Graphics card
July 13, 2014 4:37:20 PM

I think the max amount of noise at 100% fan speed should be 40dba max.
July 14, 2014 1:33:00 AM

I went with 40dba because you do not want a frickin jet engine next to you, while trying to listen for footsteps in the game. You could get noise-cancelling headphones, but why? how about if you use speakers. The average "dude" wont go out and buy a jet engine, just to get a pair of anti-noise headphones.

I believe 40dba is good for graphics cards at least in tests, so we can judge it by ourselves. "This card with one cooler run at 61c with 40dba, but the other one runs at 81c with 40dba" just an easy choice.

I would like to say, they would have to include a small clip with the noise, as i tend to shy away from high pitch noises(most people do that right?) and i look for a "deeper" noise with less high pitches in it.

a 40mm fan at 7000rpm(just an example) may run at 30dba, and a 140mm fan at 1400rpm might run at 30dba too, but the 40mm fan will possibly cause more high pitch because of it spinning so fast. Thats why we need a clip besides the video too. It may have a ticking noise, it may not have a ticking noise. All of these factors are also important.
a b U Graphics card
July 14, 2014 8:37:04 AM

40 is still quite loud.
30-35 is more like quiet.
You won't find a graphics card with a noise like a bullfrog; the card's fan will generate high-pitched noises because of it's nature.
There are cards that are quite silent even under heavy load; look for them.
July 14, 2014 9:52:17 AM

This is for the tests - i said why i picked 40. 40 is acceptable. 30-35 is just of course more quiet. I have seen very few mid end, and even fewer high end cards being able to pull of 40 or lower decibel at full load.
I of course would not find a good deep noise in a graphics card, but some bigger fans at low rpm(maybe 100mm) are actually fairly neutral. I have seen MSI gaming cooler, where it sounds pretty good and neutral compared to the damn r9 290x. The 290x at full speed oh lawd. When the gaming cooler gets loud, it is not this "high pitched" sound. It is definitely not as good as 120-200mm fans, but for graphics cards, i would go for the one with the deepest and lowest noise.
July 21, 2014 1:30:20 PM

where do you vote?
August 19, 2014 6:02:50 AM

I'm a student acoustic engineer, so I have a bit of experience in this sort of stuff.
I'm curious as to what is the 40dB measurement is you are getting? is it Laeq, instantaneous or something else? There are many ways to measure the noise of something and just as many ways to categorize it!

This does seem like a good way to compare the sound pressure level of the graphics cards.
I think it may also be important to measure the Laeq, the SPL meter should hopefully have this measurement (this is basically the average sound pressure level throughout the duration of the measurement) and to not throttle the sound pressure level of the card and run benchmarks during the Laeq measurement. This is also handy as most benchmarks have a set time, so the Laeq time will be the same for each card.
It may also important to consider running the computer without the gpu and running the same benchmarks, (though this may not be accurate due to the other computer components having to work harder) or running all the other fans at set speeds, to see how loud it is without the graphics card so that the sound pressure level of the graphics card can be calculated, gpu noise level = 10*log10(10^(computer with gpu/10)-10^(computer without gpu/10)
This gives in even more easier comparison between graphics cards as a single number can be show for just the noise coming form the gpu.

I personally think 40db is ok, by looking at your myths debunked stuff the R290X, 690 and Tian are about 35dB idle each, using the off and idle sound pressure levels and using the equation I mentioned above.
Looking at the 40dB levels on the same table they fan % levels of the gpus seem to be at a good number as well.
But once you start pumping them up to full (OC) levels they go above 40dB, which shows that they are they dominate sound source at these levels, though I doubt someone would have the gpu's at these levels all the time!

I hope that this has shown some light upon the matter! :D 
a b U Graphics card
September 5, 2014 12:17:53 PM

Anything over 30 db at 50 cm is too much.... Even 20 is plenty for me.
a c 97 U Graphics card
September 5, 2014 8:11:57 PM

Shneiky said:
Anything over 30 db at 50 cm is too much.... Even 20 is plenty for me.


You are kidding me. 20db would be essentially silent to most people.
This room is almost always 40db ambient.
September 6, 2014 1:04:35 AM

smeezekitty said:
Shneiky said:
Anything over 30 db at 50 cm is too much.... Even 20 is plenty for me.


You are kidding me. 20db would be essentially silent to most people.
This room is almost always 40db ambient.


But that is background noise generally, say a car driving by from quite a bit aways. If you have 40db in your face, it would be louder since its a constant noise right... well, in the face.
a b U Graphics card
September 6, 2014 10:55:42 AM

I have the computer on my desk a bit less than 50 cm away from my face. I have 5 be quiet! fans which 3 of them spin at 500 rpm (9 db rated), two of them are at 700 (11 db) rated. PSU is be quiet! as well. Hyper 212 Evo is always and always at fan speed 1 (800 rpm). Asus GTX 650TI never spins more than the lowest speed. All in all - the fridge, which is 8 meters away is louder than the computer. Even so, I wish the PC could have been quieter. 20 db is loud for me. 40 db is unbearable for work. I watch movies at 40 db.
September 8, 2014 8:31:59 AM

I think the frequncy of the noise and coil whine is also important...!
What i say is that i don't mind some noise(or some more) unless it's a high pitched sound .
Well , idle noise levels are already 'silent' , but max rpm is kinda loud in some cases.(with shitty fans mainly )
Recommandation : always use larger fans , they are quieter and have higher CFM (or m^3/h) . Never use cheapo' 5-8$ fans !

October 9, 2014 11:08:45 PM

Why not just pick a temperature, say 85C, and see how much noise/fan speed is needed to keep that?
October 10, 2014 9:16:34 AM

zcfbhsfh said:
Why not just pick a temperature, say 85C, and see how much noise/fan speed is needed to keep that?


I think it was mentioned before. The GPU can throttle itself to keep itself cool, so the cooler is not the only factor of how hot it is running.
!