MSI R5870 Lightning Review

To record the audible output of the card we use our TES Sound Meter and measure about 12-15 inches from the Raven 02 Chassis, which is closed (just as it would be when people are using it). There is no point us laying a sound meter down next to a graphics card on a test bench, its not indicative of a real world environment and gives false (high) readings.

We measured noise by playing Crysis Warhead at Enthusiast settings.

The MSI cooler is clearly doing a very good job and the heatpipes do get hot (we measured 90c with a diode), so they are clearly moving heat from the core to the fins, which is then displaced into the air. Unfortunately due to the cooler design we did notice ambient case temperatures would rise in a standard tower case, however our Silverstone Raven 02 expelled the warm air directly upwards almost immediately. It really is a testiment to the Silverstone design crew, we never fail to be impressed with this chassis even over a year later.

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