Noise Levels and Fan Speeds

Testing Procedure

Fan noise testing is done at 25%, 50%, and 100% fan speed, while the dBA level is recorded by a Pyle PSPL25 sound pressure level meter at a distance of 30 cm. The fan(s) RPM results are taken at the same 25%, 50%, and 100% settings. These 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 in case MSI's Command Center cannot control the fan(s), which ensures that proper results can still be obtained if the software fails. 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

Overall, Deepcool's Gamer Storm Maelstrom 240's noise profile, being the quietest of all tested AIO liquid CPU coolers. Still a maximum of 52 dBA at full tilt is rather loud compared to some high-end air coolers. That said, typical loads, prevalent to day-to-day tasks, won't task the Malestrom 240 enough, making it rather quiet.

Fan Speeds

RPM readings show why the Maelstrom 240 leads the AIO pack in terms of noise: Its fans have a maximum RPM that is 300-400 less than all the others. They gave up pure performance to create a more acceptable noise profile, and the lack of noise definitely mitigates the gap in performance nicely in my own opinion.