NVIDIA GTX 595 (picture+Details)

[SKYMTL]

also arnt most db ratings taken from 1' outside of the front of a closed case, to represent to were a person would sit. but then if TT is doing the same thing for all cards then u guess its useable.

In order to assure a consistent environment, IMO an open environment should be used. Especially considering every case on the market has different acoustical properties.

[Eastcoasthandle]

In order to assure a consistent environment, IMO an open environment should be used. Especially considering every case on the market has different acoustical properties.

I disagree. Even if acoustics are different from one case to another one would get an idea of what to expect. A disclaimer saying "noise will vary from one case to another" is all that would be needed to keep readers informed IMO.

The gist of it is that it would allow readers to get an idea of what to expect from PC cases using of 2-4 fans already running in the background. Versus an open bench with 0-2 fans.

[SKYMTL]

I disagree. Even if acoustics are different from one case to another one would get an idea of what to expect. A disclaimer saying "noise will vary from one case to another" is all that would be needed to keep readers informed IMO.

The gist of it is that it would allow readers to get an idea of what to expect from PC cases using of 2-4 fans already running in the background. Versus an open bench with 0-2 fans.

To a certain extent I agree. But what about extremely quiet cards? There would be no way to tell one from another if the case fans drown them out as they would have no impact upon the decibel readings.

Decibel readings done outside of a case in a controlled environment are not meant to recreate real wold scenarios. They're meant to accurately compare one card to another in the most accurate way possible without outside influences.

[Eastcoasthandle]

To a certain extent I agree. But what about extremely quiet cards? There would be no way to tell one from another if the case fans drown them out as they would have no impact upon the decibel readings.

Decibel readings done outside of a case in a controlled environment are not meant to recreate real wold scenarios. They're meant to accurately compare one card to another in the most accurate way possible without outside influences.

But isn't that looking at the forest instead of the tree? That would be a perfect example of showing the readers what to expect. If a reviewer wants to provide data of the video card fan I can't see why that couldn't be added. But for all intent and purpose letting people know that a 3 fan PC case is louder then the actual video card at idle and/or load would be something that readers would like to know. But that's just my opinion, to each his own .

[Mad Pistol]

But isn't that looking at the forest instead of the tree? That would be a perfect example of showing the readers what to expect. If a reviewer wants to provide data of the video card fan I can't see why that couldn't be added. But for all intent and purpose letting people know that a 3 fan PC case is louder then the actual video card at idle and/or load would be something that readers would like to know. But that's just my opinion, to each his own .

My only question is what sort of fan would you use during this test? Really quiet ones (noctua) or not so quiet ones? I think that's what SKYMTL is getting at. If you put a case in front of the card, the case will be part of the noise and you won't get an accurate reading. If the case is louder than the card, the quietest reading will get is that of the case fans.

I see where SKYMTL is coming from, and his methodology makes sense. It's not designed to be representative of the real world. It's scientifically designed to figure out which card is the most quiet.

[highoctane]

But isn't that looking at the forest instead of the tree? That would be a perfect example of showing the readers what to expect. If a reviewer wants to provide data of the video card fan I can't see why that couldn't be added. But for all intent and purpose letting people know that a 3 fan PC case is louder then the actual video card at idle and/or load would be something that readers would like to know. But that's just my opinion, to each his own .

I kinda see it more looking at the tree instead of the forest, it has more of an emphasis on the video card alone, the focus.

[Eastcoasthandle]

My only question is what sort of fan would you use during this test? Really quiet ones (noctua) or not so quiet ones? I think that's what SKYMTL is getting at. If you put a case in front of the card, the case will be part of the noise and you won't get an accurate reading. If the case is louder than the card, the quietest reading will get is that of the case fans.

I see where SKYMTL is coming from, and his methodology makes sense. It's not designed to be representative of the real world. It's scientifically designed to figure out which card is the most quiet.

Your making it more difficult then need be. You simply use the fans that come with the case.

I kinda see it more looking at the tree instead of the forest, it has more of an emphasis on the video card alone, the focus.

Then we disagree won't we? Because PC case users have no reference when an open bench is used. Just hearing the fan on the card is not a good way to convey what a reader may hear with their pc case.