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
At maximum fan levels, the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 was the quietest (40.9 dB(a)) while the Iceberg Thermal IceSLEET X5 and X6 hit 50.4 dB(A) tieing in second place. The Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO hit 51.9 dB(A) and the Iceberg Thermal IceSLEET X7 Dual hit 54.1 dB(A)! From a subjective perspective, the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 was rather unremarkable while the rest of the units were audible.
1500 RPM Fans
Dropping down to 1500 RPM, the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 is in the lead at 40.9 dB(A) and the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO was about 4 dB(A) behind it at 44.7 dB(A). The Iceberg Thermal IceSLEET X5 then followed at 45.9 dB(A) while the X7 Dual was far behind all of these at 52.7 dB(A)!
1000 RPM Fans
When we lowered the fans down to 1000 RPM, the be quiet Dark Rock Pro 4 kept the lead with a value of 38.7 dB(A) but the Iceberg Thermal IceSLEET X6 and X5 tied the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO right there on its heels at 39.9 dB(A). The Iceberg Thermal IceSLEET X7 Dual was off in the weeds at 44.1 dB(A). At this point, the noise from all of the coolers sounded like it merged with the background noise for everyone except the IceSLEET X7 Dual.
600 RPM Fans
Lowering the fans to 600 RPM saw the Iceberg Thermal IceSLEET X5 continue to keep pace with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO and IceSLEET X6 at 38.7 dB(A) while the Iceberg Thermal IceSLEET X7 Dual continues to trail at 39.9 dB(A). The be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 bested everyone at 37.4 dB(A).
The be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 was far and away from the quietest air cooler we have seen to date but the Iceberg Thermal IceSLEET X5 did a bit better than one might guess. With that said, let’s move on and recap all of this for you today!