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 Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix was close to the middle of the pack among 240mm coolers as it posted a value of 51.9 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. It’s also worth keeping in mind that the CORSAIR iCUE H100i ELITE CAPELLIX fans run at the highest RPM of any of the fans in this test.
1500 RPM Fans – 100% Pump
Dropping down to 1,500 RPM, the SilverStone PF240-ARGB took the lead at 40.9 dB(A) and the Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix was right on its heels at 41.8 dB(A). Our other 240mm coolers trail the Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix by up to 2.3 dB(A).
1000 RPM Fans – 100% Pump
When we lowered the fans down to 1,000 RPM, the Enermax AQUAFUSION 240 and ASUS Ryujin 240 took the lead at 37.4 dB(A). The CORSAIR iCUE H100i ELITE CAPELLIX was right in the middle of all tested units 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 iCUE H100i Elite Capellix posted the same 38.7 dB(A) that it had at 1,000 RPM. This tied it with the Enermax LIQTECH 360mm as the loudest AIO we have tested to date.
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. The Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix was not tested here due to the issues it had earlier in testing with the coolant temperature.
The CORSAIR iCUE H100i ELITE CAPELLIX was all over the board when it came to sound output relative to the competition we have seen depending on the fan speed it was set to. With that said, let’s move on and recap all of this for you today!