Videocards should come with noise level ratings on the box

[God Mode]

I wish videocards these days came with sound level ratings on the box. I can imagine it breeding a whole new segment of marketing for these cuthroat videocard peddlers while pushing the standards of silence which benefits many of us.

I dont want to give any consideration to aftermarket coolers which can add 20-50% of the cost of a videocard and due to the policy of many manufacturers that adamantly state that changing anything on the card will void warranty.

 

[nemesismk2]

Yeah that is a great idea!

This is why I don't buy video cards which would ruin my enjoyment of the games I play by the constant noise coming from them. I prefer to buy video cards from His because I find the ICQ3 video cooler to be very good!

 

[BassBomb]

I am against this idea since most will just exagerate their specs to make it seem better than a competitor (especailly considering that most will use the EXACT SAME HSF!)

 

[Aberforth]

Some people don't mind noise, especially from a video card. If you are gaming you won't notice any difference with all the weird sounds games make. And when the PC is at idle you can definitely reduce the fan speed so it won't bother you. On the whole this proves that noise levels are just a bandwagon that people like jumping into.

 

[God Mode]

I am against this idea since most will just exagerate their specs to make it seem better than a competitor (especailly considering that most will use the EXACT SAME HSF!)

So you are saying that competition between videocard makers are exaggerations? I know that most products these days come from the same factory with a different logo. HIS and some other companies stepped up to the plate and improved their cooling. I think they deserve recognition beyond the run of the mill reference cooler cards. No sir, not an exaggeration to me.

Some people don't mind noise, especially from a video card. If you are gaming you won't notice any difference with all the weird sounds games make. And when the PC is at idle you can definitely reduce the fan speed so it won't bother you. On the whole this proves that noise levels are just a bandwagon that people like jumping into.

How is people wishing for a powerful card without a tiny fan that overpowers the sound level of every other component a bandwagon? You also assume people play games loud enough that they cant hear their surroundings. How about a couple where one is sleeping and the other wants to play games? I would also imagine that games arent the only programs that push a videocards fan speed up.

You might be okay with it but there are people that give a lot of effort and money to quiet things down. I dont think aftermarket coolers, silent fans, watercooling (yes some do it for cooling performance and some for more silence) etc would be as prevalent if what you said was true.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: God Mode

I am against this idea since most will just exagerate their specs to make it seem better than a competitor (especailly considering that most will use the EXACT SAME HSF!)

So you are saying that competition between videocard makers are exaggerations? I know that most products these days come from the same factory with a different logo. HIS and some other companies stepped up to the plate and improved their cooling. I think they deserve recognition beyond the run of the mill reference cooler cards. No sir, not an exaggeration to me.

Some people don't mind noise, especially from a video card. If you are gaming you won't notice any difference with all the weird sounds games make. And when the PC is at idle you can definitely reduce the fan speed so it won't bother you. On the whole this proves that noise levels are just a bandwagon that people like jumping into.

How is people wishing for a powerful card without a tiny fan that overpowers the sound level of every other component a bandwagon? You also assume people play games loud enough that they cant hear their surroundings. How about a couple where one is sleeping and the other wants to play games? I would also imagine that games arent the only programs that push a videocards fan speed up.

You might be okay with it but there are people that give a lot of effort and money to quiet things down. I dont think aftermarket coolers and silent fans would be as prevalent if what you said was true.

I am talking about how the cooling field became full of manufacturers who slapped on exagerated specs to make their fans seem queiter than the competition (take vantec for instance). People who are buying the HIS products that come with the non-reference cooler already know they are getting a better product in terms of noise and cooling because they do advertise it!

LCD Manufactureres did the same thing with their ms response times (ASUS still exagerates theirs). I would not want the video card industry to become tit for tat kind of competition where evga lists 45dB and BFG is listing 46dB when they are the exact same cooler

 

[God Mode]

I am talking about how the cooling field became full of manufacturers who slapped on exagerated specs to make their fans seem queiter than the competition (take vantec for instance). People who are buying the HIS products that come with the non-reference cooler already know they are getting a better product in terms of noise and cooling because they do advertise it!

So the point of sites like anandtech and other review sites are mostly useless? Vantec might've exaggerated their fan claims but look where they are now. I dont really hear much about them.

I wouldnt feel so bitter about this if manufacturers changed their policy on voiding warranties if cooling was changed. I dont know why they dont even put a tamper resistant sticker on these cards like psu companies do to their products.

 

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: God Mode

I am against this idea since most will just exagerate their specs to make it seem better than a competitor (especailly considering that most will use the EXACT SAME HSF!)

So you are saying that competition between videocard makers are exaggerations? I know that most products these days come from the same factory with a different logo. HIS and some other companies stepped up to the plate and improved their cooling. I think they deserve recognition beyond the run of the mill reference cooler cards. No sir, not an exaggeration to me.

Some people don't mind noise, especially from a video card. If you are gaming you won't notice any difference with all the weird sounds games make. And when the PC is at idle you can definitely reduce the fan speed so it won't bother you. On the whole this proves that noise levels are just a bandwagon that people like jumping into.

How is people wishing for a powerful card without a tiny fan that overpowers the sound level of every other component a bandwagon? You also assume people play games loud enough that they cant hear their surroundings. How about a couple where one is sleeping and the other wants to play games? I would also imagine that games aren't the only programs that push a videocards fan speed up.

If someone is thick enough to buy High end video cards and SLI setups that needs cooling then he would also buy a 5.1 Dolby headphones to calm people around him. At that time he wouldn't hear noise from his PC.

Of course movies also increase fan speed but whats the point...you won't hear any sound from your PC again.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: God Mode

I am talking about how the cooling field became full of manufacturers who slapped on exagerated specs to make their fans seem queiter than the competition (take vantec for instance). People who are buying the HIS products that come with the non-reference cooler already know they are getting a better product in terms of noise and cooling because they do advertise it!

So the point of sites like anandtech and other review sites are mostly useless? Vantec might've exaggerated their fan claims but look where they are now. I dont really hear much about them.

I wouldnt feel so bitter about this if manufacturers changed their policy on voiding warranties if cooling was changed. I dont know why they dont even put a tamper resistant sticker on these cards like psu companies do to their products.

Review sites check the sound levels now, so adding that number on the box changes what? A dilligent user will still have to check reviews to see whether the claims ARE true and not exaggerated so what is the point?

 

[God Mode]

If someone is thick enough to buy High end video cards and SLI setups that needs cooling then he would also buy a 5.1 Dolby headphones to calm people around him. At that time he wouldn't hear noise from his PC.

Of course movies also increase fan speed but whats the point...you won't hear any sound from your PC again.

Thus the point of my post. Standards should go up so people arent forced to spend more money on cooling and or risk their warranties.

Why do you keep assuming that a person using a computer will be listening to something everytime they use their pc?

 

[God Mode]

Review sites check the sound levels now, so adding that number on the box changes what? A dilligent user will still have to check reviews to see whether the claims ARE true and not exaggerated so what is the point?

I dont understand what you're saying. First you say that manufacturers will put exaggerated claims on their products and I said that review sites will debunk it if false. Then you say what is the point of the manufacturers putting these claims on their boxes?

Do you look at clockspeeds or any other distinguishing features between manufacturers when you shop for a videocard? Going by your logic, what is the point of them putting anything on their boxes or media at all? Its an exaggeration and unproven right?

 

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: God Mode

If someone is thick enough to buy High end video cards and SLI setups that needs cooling then he would also buy a 5.1 Dolby headphones to calm people around him. At that time he wouldn't hear noise from his PC.

Of course movies also increase fan speed but whats the point...you won't hear any sound from your PC again.

Thus the point of my post. Standards should go up so people arent forced to spend more money on cooling and or risk their warranties.

Why do you keep assuming that a person using a computer will be listening to something everytime they use their pc?

Because when am not gaming I dont hear any noise from my PC so the noise levels doesn't matter to me.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: God Mode

Review sites check the sound levels now, so adding that number on the box changes what? A dilligent user will still have to check reviews to see whether the claims ARE true and not exaggerated so what is the point?

I dont understand what you're saying. First you say that manufacturers will put exaggerated claims on their products and I said that review sites will debunk it if false. Then you say what is the point of the manufacturers putting these claims on their boxes?

Do you look at clockspeeds or any other distinguishing features between manufacturers when you shop for a videocard? Going by your logic, what is the point of them putting anything on their boxes or media at all? Its an exaggeration and unproven right?

Boxes currently do not show a dB rating, review sites check this though
You want:
Boxes to show a dB rating, review sites will still confirm that

So what changes with having that little number on the box? All it allows is an average joe to suddenly think this reference card is better than the other because it is queiter when they are the same cooler?

Not to mention the fact that there is no governing spec on how to calculate the noise in a video card:
Is it done isolated, measured @1ft? 3ft? non-isolated? Is ambient noise stated? Is it loaded? Is it idle? Is it at full speed? Is it at nominal speed?

 

[idiotekniQues]

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Originally posted by: God Mode

If someone is thick enough to buy High end video cards and SLI setups that needs cooling then he would also buy a 5.1 Dolby headphones to calm people around him. At that time he wouldn't hear noise from his PC.

Of course movies also increase fan speed but whats the point...you won't hear any sound from your PC again.

Thus the point of my post. Standards should go up so people arent forced to spend more money on cooling and or risk their warranties.

Why do you keep assuming that a person using a computer will be listening to something everytime they use their pc?

Because when am not gaming I dont hear any noise from my PC so the noise levels doesn't matter to me.

you keep repeating the same line - that it doesnt matter to you. you are starting to sound a bit thick.

guess what, some people deal with noise like you and yet noise matters to other people and affects their surroundings differently.

why dont you wake up and realize that there are different needs amongst pc users here.

 

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: idiotekniQues

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Originally posted by: God Mode

If someone is thick enough to buy High end video cards and SLI setups that needs cooling then he would also buy a 5.1 Dolby headphones to calm people around him. At that time he wouldn't hear noise from his PC.

Of course movies also increase fan speed but whats the point...you won't hear any sound from your PC again.

Thus the point of my post. Standards should go up so people arent forced to spend more money on cooling and or risk their warranties.

Why do you keep assuming that a person using a computer will be listening to something everytime they use their pc?

Because when am not gaming I dont hear any noise from my PC so the noise levels doesn't matter to me.

you keep repeating the same line - that it doesnt matter to you. you are starting to sound a bit thick.

guess what, some people deal with noise like you and yet noise matters to other people and affects their surroundings differently.

why dont you wake up and realize that there are different needs amongst pc users here.

Yeah some people are so helplessly hyped I understand that, the tc wanted my opinion on this topic I gave my opinion. Anyway if you are itching to blow $$$ on a noiseless solution -go right ahead.

 

[God Mode]

Because when am not gaming I dont hear any noise from my PC so the noise levels doesn't matter to me.

Good for you then. Are you trying to convince me that a loud videocard fan which usually overpowers the sound level of every other component is okay? Your perspective and situation does not match everyone.

 

[chizow]

Great idea, I'd also like RPMs at duty % also. Even if dB are exaggerated you can get a good idea of how load a fan is based on RPMs and size.

And yes, some people do care about noise even with capable sound systems. Going from 80mm case fans to 120mm case fans was one of the best improvements in my current build over previous builds. Similarly, going from a great stock cooler like the one found on G80/GTX 280 to the ones on the 4850 or even 8800GT would be a huge step backwards.

 

[dakels]

I generally don't mind noise too much, it's the type of noise. Buzzing, or high pitch fans at lower decibel will irk me much more then possibly noisier fans which just sound like rushing air. So I usually try to stay away from high RPM low size to go for low rpm big size... but I think that's a common sentiment shared by all. It would be nice to see better cooler options on cards. I think in this day and age you could probably do well with a video card cooler service that lets you pick your own aftermarket cooler, installed, under warranty for an extra $20-50 on the GFX card price. It would be nice if you could go to XFX site let say, and pick our a GTX 260. You could get it with a stock cooler no extra cost, or have a preinstalled $30 cooler, $50 silent and active cooler, and $80 water block option or something... Just an idea. I know I would have paid an extra $30+ to have a better cooler on my 4850.

I think this solution would benefit everyone fairly well. HSF manufacturers could get some solid contracts with card manufacturers with guaranteed revenue, enthusiasts would get better cooling options out of the box, and we wouldn't be voiding warranty's*, and it would drive initial sales revenue up.

*of course voiding the warranty and breaking something may be viewed as good for business.

 

[IlllI]

typically i'd think that most people who buy high end video cards probably already have some good idea about it (have read reviews on the card etc) so i'd say most already know what to expect. besides if a person spends 3-400 on a video card i cant think that spending a little more $ to buy a better cooler would bother them too much. or if you prefer, manufacturers can start using those larger, more expensive coolers as default.. but guess who they are going to pass that extra expense off to? the end result would be the same: you would still be paying extra for it

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: chizow
Great idea, I'd also like RPMs at duty % also. Even if dB are exaggerated you can get a good idea of how load a fan is based on RPMs and size.

And yes, some people do care about noise even with capable sound systems. Going from 80mm case fans to 120mm case fans was one of the best improvements in my current build over previous builds. Similarly, going from a great stock cooler like the one found on G80/GTX 280 to the ones on the 4850 or even 8800GT would be a huge step backwards.

We take this a step further and take the step up as follows:

1) Video Cards display the sound levels/fan type/RPM's @ duty % on their boxes

to

2) Video Cards display the sound levels/fan type/RPM's @ duty % provided by the GPU Cooling provider on their boxes.

If someone uses the stock cooler, their box info looks identical to someone elses box using the stock cooler. Problems come with the passive heatsinks out here with which you can use your own fans but it is an interesting take on eliminating it.

To Aberforth:

My PC is very quiet at idle and load. Same fixed settings handle load fine. I am looking at hooking up my GPU and CPU fans to the board to try and make things more dynamic for summer just in case something decides to heat up, my room is notorious for becoming a melting pot at certain times.

I have a fairly powerful 5.1 sound system hooked up to my PC but setting all fans to high, I could hear my fans working. Headphones are not an option for me. I use a 42" HDTV and sit approx 3-4m away so speakers are a must.

Take off the blinkers and switch off tunnel vision. Just because someone has different preferences to you doesnt mean he is the only one in the world. Some of the long standing members of this board, both time-wise and post-wise enjoy quiet systems.

 

[Nathelion]

Originally posted by: God Mode
I wish videocards these days came with sound level ratings on the box. I can imagine it breeding a whole new segment of marketing for these cuthroat videocard peddlers while pushing the standards of silence which benefits many of us.

I dont want to give any consideration to aftermarket coolers which can add 20-50% of the cost of a videocard and due to the policy of many manufacturers that adamantly state that changing anything on the card will void warranty.

...and if you would actually believe any of those noise ratings, I have some nice beachfront property in Florida I'd like to sell you. Limited time offer only, first come first serve.

 

[imported_Scoop]

Yeah, more misleading marketing. Like how they market fans with decibel ratings that aren't even close to reality.

 

[OCGuy]

Headphones.

 

[Zap]

Fan manufacturers do this, and we all know how well THAT works. :roll:

Originally posted by: BassBomb
Not to mention the fact that there is no governing spec on how to calculate the noise in a video card:
Is it done isolated, measured @1ft? 3ft? non-isolated? Is ambient noise stated? Is it loaded? Is it idle? Is it at full speed? Is it at nominal speed?

How about which unit of measurement? dB weighted A or C? Sones? What ambient temps?

Originally posted by: dakels
I generally don't mind noise too much, it's the type of noise. Buzzing, or high pitch fans at lower decibel will irk me much more then possibly noisier fans which just sound like rushing air.

This is something that can't be measured by typical dB meters.

Originally posted by: Scoop
Yeah, more misleading marketing. Like how they market fans with decibel ratings that aren't even close to reality.

Yup.

The gist of all this? You won't be able to rely on any noise level ratings on the box.

 

[BassBomb]

You guys summed up my point pretty well, it won't change anything and will just turn into a insignificant number on the box.