Sound Level Testing
While we were testing cooling capabilities, as outlined in our 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.
Max Fans – 100% Pump Speed
Hear (sic) is where the Thermaltake TOUGHLIQUID Ultra 240 starts to differentiate itself against all of the other coolers in the test. While it is running at 2500 RPM, a good 100-500 RPM faster than all of the other coolers, it also lands as being the quietest.
Comparing against Enermax Aquafusion 240, which was the thermal performance leader for this scenario, the Thermaltake TOUGHLIQUID Ultra 240 achieves similar results while generating 4.8 dB(A) less sound.
1500 RPM Fans – 100% Pump Speed
Bringing all fans down to 1500 RPM keeps the Thermaltake TOUGHLIQUID Ultra 240 in the lead as the quietest (even though it fell to last place for thermals). At this point, we could not differentiate it above the ambient noise in the room.
1000 RPM Fans – 100% Pump Speed
Getting down to 1000 RPM, the competition starts to catch up with the Thermaltake TOUGHLIQUID Ultra 240, causing a three way tie for last place at 38.7 dB(A).
600 RPM Fans – 100% Pump Speed
Finally, at 600 RPM, the Thermaltake TOUGHLIQUID Ultra 240 didn’t change its sound profile while the thermals got worse. Given such the 1.2 dB(A) difference between 600 RPM and 1500 RPM, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to run the fans this low unless you don’t have the system under load.