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 CORSAIR A115 and IceSLEET G6 Stealth hit 47.4 dB(A) tying for second place. The Cooler Master MasterAir MA824 barely brought up the rear at 47.8 dB(A). From a subjective perspective, the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 was rather unremarkable while the rest of the units were audible.
We noted that the max fan speed on the CORSAIR A115 topped out at 1600 RPM, the MasterAir 824 topped out at 1900/1550 RPM, the IceSLEET G6 Stealth topped out at 1450 RPM and the Dark Rock Pro 4 at 1300/1500 RPM.
1500 RPM Fans
Dropping down to 1500 RPM, the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 is in the lead at 40.9 dB(A). The CORSAIR A115 lands in second place with 45.9 dB(A) of racket and the Master Air MA824 one decibel louder. The IceSLEET G6 Stealth wins the loudest prize as its single fan is spinning at the same speed as the maximum fan speed test.
1000 RPM Fans
When we lowered the fans down to 1000 RPM, the two fan portion of the field that includes the Corsair A115, Dark Rock Pro 4 and MasterAir MA824 tied up at 38.7 dB(A). The single fan IceSLEET G6 Stealth sneaks in at 40.9 dB(A). From a subjective perspective, there was no difference in how they sounded at 1000 RPM.
600 RPM Fans
Lowering the fans to 600 RPM saw the CORSAIR A115 continue to keep pace with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO and IceSLEET G6 Stealth and Dark Rock Pro 4 slightly sounder at 37.4 dB(A).
The CORSAIR A115 turned in quite respectable sound testing results compared to its close competition. With that said, let’s move on and recap all of this for you today!