Noise Levels & Fan Speeds

Testing Procedure

Fan noise testing is done at 25%, 50%, and 100% fan speed, with the dBA level being 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 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

The ETS-T40 Black Twister doesn't take the top spot when it comes to noise, but it is certainly far from loud. At 25% to 50% fan speed, users will be hard pressed to hear this cooler, although it becomes audible once the fan starts to ramp up beyond 50%. A slight motoric clicking noise could be heard during testing; however, it is minor and inaudible once the cooler has been installed into a case.

Fan Speeds

Looking at the RPM readings at 25%, 50%, and 100%, I am rather amazed at how quiet the ETS-T40 Black Twister is considering its maximum RPM is 1816. It manages to tie the Scythe Ashura in terms of noise, although the fan spins at nearly an additional 400 RPM.