We tested the operating noise levels of the video cards by placing a ML80 Lafayette Decibel meter 10 centimeters away from the fan of the video card. The Decibel meter was in the same position for every video card we tested. We performed two tests of the video card, one with the card at idle and one with the card at full load with the fan forced to run at full speed. By running the cards at full load, we hoped to create a “worst case scenario.”

To find GPU temperature, we used the well known application ATI Tool. At Idle, we had only the operating system running with no windows open while full load was tested after running the “Nature” test of 3DMark 2001 continuously for 10 minutes.

We measured the power consumption of the system using a power meter. The total power consumption of the system was measured in these tests, however, the only difference between the test systems were the video cards; all other components were exactly the same.

Under idle, the ASUS EAX1950PRO has the lowest level of noise output with the Sapphire X1950PRO Ultimate right behind it. At full load, the Sapphire X1950PRO Ultimate yet again lands in second place right after the PowerColor X1950PRO. The PowerColor X1950PRO actually has the same noise output for both full and idle simply because the card has a constant RPM.

Please note that the Sapphire X1950PRO on the top is not the video card that we are reviewing today—the Ultimate version which is a little further down in the graph is. The Sapphire X1950PRO Ultimate performed well in our temperature tests. The Zalman cooling system thus shows it is quite effective in cooling the card while still maintaining low operational noise levels.

Power consumption is very similar throughout all the cards with the ASUS EAX1950PRO with the overall smallest amount of consumption.