Frequency response of sound
In addition to the global price drop on all graphics cards, MSI is now also reducing the MSRP of the RTX 3050 Ventus 2X (OC) from its lowest range. The phrase “affordable graphics card” thus takes on a new spin, and if you’ve read somewhere that the performance characteristics of Ventus graphics cards aren’t worth much, forget it. We certainly don’t see it that way, and few RTX 3050s for this money can boast a more functionally attractive design.
Frequency response of sound
Measurements are performed in the TrueRTA application, which records sound in a range of 240 frequencies in the recorded range of 20–20,000 Hz. For the possibility of comparison across articles, we export the dominant frequency from the low (20–200 Hz), medium (201–2,000 Hz) and high (2,001–20,000 Hz) range to standard bar graphs.
However, for an even more detailed analysis of the sound expression, it is important to perceive the overall shape of the graph and the intensity of all frequencies/tones. If you don’t understand something in the graphs or tables below, you’ll find the answers to all your questions in this article. This explains how to read the measured data below correctly.
Graphics card | Dominant sound freq. and noise level in F1 2020@2160p | NF-F12 PWM | NF-A15 PWM | ||||
Low range | Mid range | High range | |||||
Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | ||
MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 8G OC, ReBAR off | 138,5 | -78,8 | 1107,9 | -78,6 | 2031,9 | -84,8 | |
MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 8G OC, ReBAR on | 123,4 | -81,2 | 1107,9 | -80,0 | 18245,6 | -83,7 | |
Sapphire RX 6650 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR on | 50,4 | -83,3 | 1107,9 | -72,4 | 7240,8 | -82,5 | |
Sapphire RX 6650 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR off | 184,9 | -82,3 | 1107,9 | -71,4 | 6834,4 | -82,2 | |
Sapphire RX 6600 XT Pulse, ReBAR on | Sapphire RX 6600 XT Pulse, ReBAR on | 100,8 | -71,8 | 1356,1 | -72,7 | 6088,7 | -80,9 |
Sapphire RX 6600 XT Pulse, ReBAR off | Sapphire RX 6600 XT Pulse, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -71,8 | 219,8 | -74,5 | 6088,7 | -81,0 |
Aorus RTX 3080 Xtreme 10G (OC), ReBAR on | 50,4 | -77,0 | 1076,3 | -56,5 | 2031,9 | -69,4 | |
Aorus RTX 3080 Xtreme 10G (OC), ReBAR off | 50,4 | -75,9 | 1076,3 | -56,7 | 2031,9 | -69,6 | |
Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR on | Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR on | 138,5 | -62,4 | 1107,9 | -56,6 | 11166,8 | -74,7 |
Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR off | Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR on | 138,5 | -61,9 | 1107,9 | -55,6 | 5747,0 | -74,7 |
Sapphire RX 6700 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR on | 100,8 | -73,2 | 1076,3 | -71,2 | 7034,6 | -76,5 | |
Sapphire RX 6700 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR off | 100,8 | -75,2 | 1076,3 | -73,5 | 7034,6 | -76,5 | |
MSI RTX 3060 Ti Gaming X Trio, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -70,6 | 1107,9 | -82,8 | 7034,6 | -83,7 | |
Gigabyte RTX 3060 Eagle OC 12G, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -71,6 | 213,6 | -64,3 | 2031,9 | -74,2 | |
MSI RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -72,3 | 1076,3 | -76,0 | 4561,4 | -81,2 | |
MSI RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -73,9 | 1076,3 | -79,7 | 6267,2 | -85,1 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800, ReBAR on | 100,8 | -71,0 | 1076,3 | -66,5 | 9665,3 | -81,3 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -71,8 | 1107,9 | -67,4 | 2091,4 | -75,3 | |
TUF RTX 3080 O10G Gaming, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -76,0 | 1107,9 | -77,9 | 7034,6 | -74,4 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, ReBAR on | 100,8 | -71,6 | 1107,9 | -74,7 | 10848,9 | -76,3 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -73,0 | 1107,9 | -74,7 | 10848,9 | -76,5 |
Graphics card | Dominant sound freq. and noise level in SOTTR@2160p | NF-F12 PWM | NF-A15 PWM | ||||
Low range | Mid range | High range | |||||
Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | ||
MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 8G OC, ReBAR off | 138,5 | -78,4 | 1140,4 | -78,5 | 2031,9 | -84,7 | |
MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 8G OC, ReBAR on | 138,5 | -78,3 | 1107,9 | -78,4 | 2031,9 | -84,6 | |
Sapphire RX 6650 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR on | 50,4 | -80,1 | 1107,9 | -76,5 | 6834,4 | -84,3 | |
Sapphire RX 6650 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR off | 47,6 | -84,3 | 1107,9 | -75,9 | 6834,4 | -82,8 | |
Sapphire RX 6600 XT Pulse, ReBAR on | 100,8 | -68,8 | 1356,1 | -75,7 | 6088,7 | -82,6 | |
Sapphire RX 6600 XT Pulse, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -69,5 | 1356,1 | -74,8 | 5915,4 | -83,1 | |
Aorus RTX 3080 Xtreme 10G (OC), ReBAR on | 44,9 | -73,0 | 1045,7 | -50,3 | 2031,9 | -60,5 | |
Aorus RTX 3080 Xtreme 10G (OC), ReBAR off | 41,8 | -72,6 | 1076,3 | -51,4 | 2031,9 | -60,7 | |
Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR on | Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR on | 138,5 | -63,1 | 1140,4 | -57,9 | 5747,0 | -74,7 |
Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR off | Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR off | 134,5 | -61,7 | 1107,9 | -58,6 | 5747,0 | -74,2 |
Sapphire RX 6700 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR on | 100,8 | -73,9 | 1140,4 | -75,4 | 5915,4 | -77,2 | |
Sapphire RX 6700 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR off | 100,8 | -75,1 | 1107,9 | -75,2 | 5915,4 | -76,5 | |
MSI RTX 3060 Ti Gaming X Trio, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -70,8 | 1076,3 | -83,6 | 7034,6 | -81,9 | |
Gigabyte RTX 3060 Eagle OC 12G, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -71,9 | 213,6 | -64,5 | 2031,9 | -73,8 | |
MSI RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio, ReBAR off | 106,8 | -74,5 | 213,6 | -71,3 | 4561,4 | -79,3 | |
MSI RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -73,0 | 213,6 | -72,3 | 6267,2 | -84,9 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800, ReBAR on | 100,8 | -71,8 | 1140,4 | -66,1 | 9948,5 | -81,3 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -71,6 | 1140,4 | -67,8 | 9665,3 | -80,6 | |
TUF RTX 3080 O10G Gaming, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -75,4 | 1076,3 | -72,3 | 7240,8 | -74,2 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, ReBAR on | 100,8 | -73,2 | 1107,9 | -73,9 | 10848,9 | -76,3 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -73,2 | 1107,9 | -75,3 | 10848,9 | -75,4 |
Graphics card | Dominant sound freq. and noise level in CS:GO@2160p | NF-F12 PWM | NF-A15 PWM | ||||
Low range | Mid range | High range | |||||
Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [-dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [-dBu] | ||
MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 8G OC, ReBAR off | 138,5 | -79,8 | 1107,9 | -77,6 | 2031,9 | -83,4 | |
MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 8G OC, ReBAR on | 123,4 | -81,0 | 1107,9 | -77,8 | 2031,9 | -83,6 | |
Sapphire RX 6650 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR on | 50,4 | -79,6 | 1107,9 | -74,2 | 7240,8 | -80,8 | |
Sapphire RX 6650 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR off | 49,0 | -84,3 | 1107,9 | -80,0 | 6834,4 | -80,2 | |
Sapphire RX 6600 XT Pulse, ReBAR on | 100,8 | -68,7 | 1356,1 | -74,7 | 6088,7 | -80,8 | |
Sapphire RX 6600 XT Pulse, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -69,3 | 1356,1 | -75,1 | 6088,7 | -79,2 | |
Aorus RTX 3080 Xtreme 10G (OC), ReBAR on | 47,6 | -67,1 | 1045,7 | -49,6 | 2031,9 | -60,1 | |
Aorus RTX 3080 Xtreme 10G (OC), ReBAR off | 47,6 | -70,3 | 1140,4 | -50,8 | 2031,9 | -60,2 | |
Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR on | Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR on | 138,5 | -64,1 | 1107,9 | -60,1 | 8610,8 | -70,9 |
Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR off | Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR off | 134,5 | -71,6 | 1107,9 | -66,4 | 8365,6 | -72,1 |
Sapphire RX 6700 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR on | 100,8 | -72,6 | 1173,8 | -74,9 | 5915,4 | -74,6 | |
Sapphire RX 6700 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR off | 100,8 | -75,0 | 1107,9 | -73,8 | 5747,0 | -74,2 | |
MSI RTX 3060 Ti Gaming X Trio, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -71,4 | 1107,9 | -83,1 | 6267,2 | -82,5 | |
Gigabyte RTX 3060 Eagle OC 12G, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -72,6 | 213,6 | -64,8 | 2031,9 | -73,8 | |
MSI RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio, ReBAR off | 106,8 | -75,7 | 213,6 | -73,4 | 4695,1 | -77,6 | |
MSI RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio, ReBAR off | 106,8 | -75,7 | 213,6 | -73,4 | 6267,2 | -82,7 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800, ReBAR on | 100,8 | -71,2 | 1107,9 | -66,2 | 9948,5 | -77,4 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -71,1 | 1076,3 | -77,3 | 9665,3 | -77,7 | |
TUF RTX 3080 O10G Gaming, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -74,2 | 1076,3 | -70,9 | 7240,8 | -74,4 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, ReBAR on | 100,8 | -73,0 | 1107,9 | -74,3 | 7671,3 | -72,4 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -72,3 | 1107,9 | -73,7 | 10848,9 | -72,5 |
Graphics card | Dominant sound freq. and noise level in Blender (Cycles), Classroom | NF-F12 PWM | NF-A15 PWM | ||||
Low range | Mid range | High range | |||||
Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | ||
MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 8G OC, ReBAR off | 123,4 | -79,3 | 213,6 | -81,4 | 18245,6 | -85,5 | |
MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 8G OC, ReBAR on | 123,4 | -79,5 | 213,6 | -81,5 | 18245,6 | -85,6 | |
Sapphire RX 6650 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR on | 50,4 | -77,9 | 1107,9 | -83,5 | 7240,8 | -87,3 | |
Sapphire RX 6650 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR off | 50,4 | -79,1 | 1107,9 | -83,9 | 7240,8 | -87,5 | |
Sapphire RX 6600 XT Pulse, ReBAR on | 100,8 | -70,1 | 1356,1 | -73,4 | 5583,4 | -86,1 | |
Sapphire RX 6600 XT Pulse, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -69,8 | 1356,1 | -73,7 | 5915,4 | -86,0 | |
Asus GT 1030 SL 2G BRK, ReBAR off | 50,397 | -71,7 | 1107,9 | -94,9 | 19330,5 | -90,5 | |
Aorus RTX 3080 Xtreme 10G (OC), ReBAR on | 50,4 | -76,4 | 1107,9 | -57,9 | 2031,9 | -69,7 | |
Aorus RTX 3080 Xtreme 10G (OC), ReBAR off | 50,4 | -78,7 | 1076,3 | -60,9 | 5424,5 | -74,0 | |
Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR on | 116,5 | -65,0 | 1107,9 | -68,5 | 5120,0 | -77,3 | |
Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR off | 116,5 | -65,1 | 1107,9 | -68,4 | 5120,0 | -77,1 | |
Sapphire RX 6700 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR on | 100,8 | -72,6 | 1173,8 | -86,6 | 5915,4 | -82,4 | |
Sapphire RX 6700 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR off | 100,8 | -75,8 | 1076,3 | -87,2 | 5915,4 | -82,1 | |
MSI RTX 3060 Ti Gaming X Trio, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -70,4 | 987,0 | -89,5 | 6450,8 | -89,0 | |
Gigabyte RTX 3060 Eagle OC 12G, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -72,6 | 213,6 | -70,0 | 2031,9 | -79,1 | |
MSI RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -71,2 | 1076,3 | -85,3 | 5915,4 | -92,0 | |
MSI RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -71,2 | 1076,3 | -85,3 | 18245,6 | -90,8 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800, ReBAR on | 100,8 | -71,9 | 987,0 | -89,2 | 7452,9 | -88,3 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -71,1 | 987,0 | -89,0 | 7452,9 | -88,2 | |
TUF RTX 3080 O10G Gaming, ReBAR off | 106,8 | -81,5 | 1660,0 | -80,6 | 6834,4 | -78,0 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, ReBAR on | 97,9 | -79,8 | 1208,2 | -89,6 | 7671,3 | -85,2 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -73,0 | 1243,6 | -95,2 | 7671,3 | -85,0 |
Graphics card | Dominant sound freq. and noise level in CS:GO@1080p (coils only*) | NF-F12 PWM | NF-A15 PWM | ||||
Low range | Mid range | High range | |||||
Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | ||
MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 8G OC, ReBAR off | 50,4 | -83,6 | 1317,5 | -83,0 | 7896,1 | -83,9 | |
MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 8G OC, ReBAR on | 50,4 | -77,7 | 1317,5 | -87,3 | 10848,9 | -84,5 | |
Sapphire RX 6650 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR on | 50,4 | -81,8 | 1045,7 | -84,2 | 2091,4 | -77,7 | |
Sapphire RX 6650 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR off | 50,4 | -83,3 | 1974,0 | -90,0 | 7034,6 | -82,4 | |
Sapphire RX 6600 XT Pulse, ReBAR on | 100,8 | -72,0 | 1107,9 | -83,7 | 2215,8 | -79,6 | |
Sapphire RX 6600 XT Pulse, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -68,4 | 1917,8 | -88,7 | 6450,8 | -81,4 | |
Asus GT 1030 SL 2G BRK, ReBAR off | 50,4 | -71,1 | 1107,9 | -91,7 | 12534,3 | -89,8 | |
Aorus RTX 3080 Xtreme 10G (OC), ReBAR on | 50,4 | -80,6 | 1660,0 | -80,3 | 7896,1 | -80,2 | |
Aorus RTX 3080 Xtreme 10G (OC), ReBAR off | 50,4 | -78,8 | 1660,0 | -82,6 | 7671,3 | -80,4 | |
Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR on | Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR on | 100,8 | -74,9 | 739,4 | -67,9 | 5915,4 | -78,5 |
Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR off | Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE (P), ReBAR off | 50,4 | -81,4 | 739,4 | -70,2 | 8610,8 | -73,6 |
Sapphire RX 6700 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR on | 100,8 | -74,6 | 987,0 | -84,8 | 5747,0 | -69,6 | |
Sapphire RX 6700 XT Nitro+ (P), ReBAR off | 100,8 | -74,7 | 1395,9 | -88,4 | 5747,0 | -70,3 | |
MSI RTX 3060 Ti Gaming X Trio, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -73,0 | 1974,0 | -88,1 | 6267,2 | -83,6 | |
Gigabyte RTX 3060 Eagle OC 12G, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -73,6 | 1974,0 | -90,2 | 6088,7 | -83,1 | |
MSI RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio, ReBAR off | 50,4 | -76,1 | 987,0 | -84,8 | 5915,4 | -83,3 | |
MSI RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -74,7 | 1317,5 | -81,4 | 6088,7 | -84,6 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800, ReBAR on | 100,8 | -71,8 | 987,0 | -87,7 | 7452,9 | -80,4 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -72,0 | 1660,0 | -90,4 | 8863,1 | -84,5 | |
TUF RTX 3080 O10G Gaming, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -75,6 | 1140,4 | -81,7 | 9948,5 | -78,7 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, ReBAR on | 100,8 | -73,6 | 1660,0 | -79,8 | 7452,9 | -74,0 | |
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, ReBAR off | 100,8 | -73,3 | 1660,0 | -83,3 | 7452,9 | -76,4 |
*With the Sapphire RX 6900 XT Toxic LE, as with the only tested graphics card, the spectral analysis also includes the sound of the water pump.
- Contents
- MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 8G OC in detail
- Table of specifications
- Methodology: performance tests
- Methodology: how we measure power draw
- Methodology: noise and sound measurement
- Methodology: temperature tests
- Test rig
- 3DMark
- Age of Empires II: DE
- Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
- Battlefield V
- Battlefield V with DXR
- Borderlands 3
- Control
- Control with DXR and DLSS
- Counter-Strike: GO
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Cyberpunk 2077 with DLSS
- Cyberpunk 2077 with DXR (and DXR with DLSS)
- DOOM Eternal
- F1 2020
- FIFA 21
- Forza Horizon 4
- Mafia: DE
- Metro Exodus
- Metro Exodus with DXR and DLSS
- Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Red Dead Redemption 2 (Vulkan)
- Red Dead Redemption 2 (Dx12)
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider s DXR
- Total War Saga: Troy
- Wasteland 3
- Overall game performance and performance per euro
- CompuBench (OpenCL)
- SPECviewperf 2020 and SPECworkstation 3
- FLOPS, IOPS and memory speed tests
- 3D rendering 1/2 (LuxMark and Blender@Cycles
- 3D rendering 2/2 (Blender@Radeon ProRender and Eevee)
- Photo editing (Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Affinity Photo)
- Broadcasting (OBS and Xsplit)
- Password cracking
- GPU clock speeds
- GPU and VRAM temperatures
- Net GPU power draw and performance per watt
- Analysis of 12 V branch power supply (higher load)
- Analysis of 12 V branch power supply (lower load)
- Analysis of 3,3 V branch power supply
- Noise level
- Frequency response of sound
- Conclusion
Would it be possible to perform thermal tests of the upcoming GPUs using the same noise levels – just like in CPU cooler and fan tests? With the current methodology, there is a multitude of results, but it’s often impossible to decide which result is better. Some GPUs operate at less than 60 degrees (an overkill) but to achieve it, they run twice as loud. The many game noise and thermal tests could be replaced with just coil whine tests, as it changes a lot in different environments (specific game, being in menu/playing).
The original proposal of the test methodology looked exactly as you describe (we obviously have the same taste :)), but we eventually dropped it. There were several reasons for that. But the main reason was time. If I had taken the cooler apart in such detail and tested it in several modes (instead of one) it would have been unmanageable in terms of time. It’s already too much now. With coolers and fans it’s easier, as they are not as complicated devices as graphics cards, where a lot of time is taken up by performance tests.
The time consumption of a single graphics card test in its current form, by our standards for accuracy, is approaching 300 hours of net time. With a more detailed analysis of the cooler, it would be quite a bit more, and in addition to the modes normalized by the various noise levels, we would still need the default one for evaluation in the end, which is based on the video card’s BIOS settings and is key for the vast majority of users.
And then there’s one more thing that causes some risk when testing at fixed noise levels. The GPU temperature is usually significantly lower than the VRAM and memory temperatures, which are quite difficult to keep track of. Sure, hardware monitoring and, in case of critical values, stop the test (typically at low speed) and evaluate it as a failure, but… capacity-wise, we unfortunately can’t afford this marginal type of tests, which have only a very small audience, in the interest of self-preservation. Although personally, I’d love to pursue it. So perhaps sometime in the future when we can afford to split the work between more people.