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 Hyper 212 Black turned in the quietest level of sound at 44.1 dB(A) with the DeepCool AK400 arriving in second place at 46.4 dB(A). Rounding out the rest of the pack was the G6 Stealth at 47.4 dB(A) and the Hyper 212 EVO at 49.4 dB(a).
We noted that the max fan speed on the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black topped out at 2300 RPM, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO RPM, the DeepCool AK400 topped out at 1850 RPM, and the Iceberg Thermal G6 Stealth has the lowest max fan rpm at 1450 RPM.
1500 RPM Fans
Dropping down to 1500 RPM, the Hyper 212 Black continued to lead the pack at 39.9 dB(A) with the AK400 a couple of decibels louder and the Hyper 212 EVO a couple louder than the AK400. The G6 Stealth was the least stealthy at 47.4 dB(A). Keep in mind here that the G6 Stealth is operating at its maximum of 1450 RPM.
1000 RPM Fans
When we lowered the fans down to 1000 RPM, the Hyper 212 Black kept the lead with a value of 37.4 dB(A), and the AK400 trailed just behind at 38.7 dB(A). The Hyper 212 EVO and G6 Stealth tied at 40.9 dB(A) to round out the competitors. Subjectively, the coolers were all quiet enough that they all sounded about the same (well, lack of sound is more like it).
600 RPM Fans
While we typically test at 600 RPM for the lowest end of our fans, the Hyper 212 Black’s fan bottomed out at 1100 RPM according to our PWM tuning, so the lowest speed testing can be found in the test above.
With that said, let’s move on and recap all of this for you today!