Sound Issues
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The previous table only listed the Cooler Master XDream SE and Aero 7 HSF performance at high, medium and low fan speeds. Obviously there are many more usable combinations in between. Finding the right balance of cooling performance and an acceptable noise level will be up to each user’s personal taste. The following table lists the sound level readings recorded at various speeds for each cooler. RPM values were recorded using MBM5.
Sound Pressure Level (dBA) vs. Fan Speed (RPM) |
||||
XDream SE (80 mm axial fan) |
|
Aero 7 (70 mm blower) |
||
RPM |
dBA |
RPM |
dBA |
|
2,033
(min) |
34.3 |
1,854
(min) |
35.3 |
|
25% |
36.7 |
25% |
36.5 |
|
3,629
(50%) |
41.5 |
3,214
(50%) |
38.3 |
|
75% |
55.6 |
75% |
43.6 |
|
5,192
(max) |
60.6 |
4,560
(max) |
55.4 |
SK-7 with Panaflo 80 mm H1A |
|
SK-7 with Delta 80 mm SHE |
||
RPM |
dBA |
RPM |
dBA |
|
3,021 |
36.9 |
5,192 |
55.8 |
Volcano 11 with 80 mm SF2 |
|
RPM |
dBA |
1,695
(min) |
36.0 |
25% |
36.8 |
3,096
(50%) |
42.1 |
75% |
52.2 |
5,357
(max) |
61.8 |
OEM Aluminum HSF |
|
RPM |
dBA |
4,821 |
41.5 |
Sound pressure levels were measured with each HSF removed from the computer and with no other sources of noise in the room. Measurements were taken 3’ in front of each fan between home-made acoustic baffles. The average background noise level was ~30 dBA.
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