Sound Level Testing
While we were testing cooling capabilities, as outlined in our recent introduction article, we were also tracking the sound level of each of the coolers using a Risepro SPL meter attached to a boom arm pointed directly at the fans of the radiator at a distance of 12 inches. We recorded the dB(A) level for each fan and pump speed tested. The ambient room sound level measured 33 decibels. Displayed below are the results of our Stock Clock Testing.
100% Fans – 100% Pump
At maximum fan levels, the Corsair H115i Platinum hit 49.4 dB(A). The SilverStone PF240-ARGB hit 49.8 dB(A) and the Enermax AQUAFUSION 240 hit 53.4 dB(A). From a subjective perspective, all of these coolers sounded loud but not high pitched. We suspect the difference in sound is, mostly, related to the maximum RPM of each fan (SilverStone/Enermax and Corsair units at ~2200 RPM and 1800 RPM respectively).
1500 RPM Fans – 100% Pump
Dropping down to 1500 RPM, the SilverStone PF240-ARGB took the lead at 40.9 dB(A) and the Corsair H115i Platinum was almost 7 dB(A) behind at 47.8 dB(A). Keep in mind that the Corsair fans are only 300 RPM below its maximum fan speed while the rest of the competition is about 700 RPM below their maximum fan speed. The PF240-ARGB is getting into the comfortable range at this point, unlike the Corsair H115i Platinum. The AQUAFUSION 240 was firmly in the middle of the pack at 44.1 dB(A).
1000 RPM Fans – 100% Pump
When we lowered the fans down to 1000 RPM, the Enermax AQUAFUSION 240 took the lead with a value of 37.4 dB(A). The Corsair H115i Platinum was unable to make any relative performance change as its 39.9 dB(A) still trailed the AQUAFUSION 240 that came in at 38.7 dB(A).
600 RPM Fans – 100% Pump
Lowering the fans to 600 RPM (the lowest level we could keep them spinning at), the Corsair H115i Platinum joins the SilverStone SilverStone PF240-ARGB at 37.4 dB(A). Both trail the Enermax AQUAFUSION 240 that posted a value of 35.8 dB(A). At this fan level, the whirr of the pump was louder than the fans.
600 RPM Fans – 50% Pump
Finally, reducing the pump speed to 50% caused all of our review units to tie at 35.8 dB(A) except for the Enermax AQUAFUSION 240 which did marginally better. We could not ascertain a difference between ambient noise in the room (measuring 33 dB(A)) and the AIOs running.
Save for testing at stock clocks with Max fan RPM/100% pump, the Corsair H115i Platinum was consistently one of, if not the, loudest coolers we have tested to date. The only reason it was quieter at that setting is the lower maximum fan RPM than the other coolers. That is definitely a bit of a let down as it was consistently outperformed by smaller 240mm models. It seems, that the larger fan size did little to help with noise output. With that said, let’s move on and recap all of this for you today!