Noise Levels & Fan Speeds

Testing Procedure

Fan noise testing is done at 25%, 50%, and 100% fan speed, with a Pyle PSPL25 sound pressure level meter recording the dBA level at a distance of 30 cm. The fan(s) RPM results are taken at the same 25%, 50%, and 100% settings. The selected speeds are handled by MSI's Command Center software, and a Lamptron FC6 fan controller is also used as a secondary method of confirming RPM and dBA readings. This ensures that proper results can still be obtained if MSI's Command Center cannot control the fan(s). To give users the noise profile of the tested CPU cooler, testing is done using fan speed percentages instead of various load levels.

Noise Levels

Cooling performance, while amazing, comes at a great cost in terms of noise. At 100% fan speed, the H105 hits 54 dBA, which is very loud. With a dBA reading of 43 at 50%, the H105 is already as loud as enthusiast-level air coolers at full speed. While performance is fine at 50% fan speed, the H105 loses the allure of its raw cooling performance to its high noise output.

Fan Speeds

The RPM readings show why the Hydro Series H105 is so loud. With an RPM reading of 2598, it is no wonder this cooler is loud, although the performance offered here is still staggering if you can cope with the noise.