Noise Levels and 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

Coming in just 1 dBA below the loudest cooler in the lineup, the Liqtech 240 can be very loud. To counter its noise output, Enermax includes fans with APS (adjustable peak speed). The feature allows users to limit the maximum RPM to 1300, 2000, or 2500. At 2500 RPM, the fans are horrendously loud on the open test bench. However, reducing peak speed to 2000 RPM has the fans drop below 50 dBA, which, depending on the chassis, isn't terrible. Those wanting silence, however, can set the fans to peak at 1300 RPM, which drops noise levels down to 42 dBA, making them fairly silent. Keep in mind, however, that performance will suffer with such low fan speeds. That said, the 2000 RPM setting offers a solid performance / noise option that only comes in 2°C behind the 2500 RPM setting.

Fan Speeds

RPM readings at 25%, 50%, and 100% show why the Liqtech 240 is so loud. Remember, Enermax has given you the ability to control at what speed those fans peak, which puts controlling their noise levels into your hands. Use this ability to get the for you best-possible performance to noise ratio out of this cooler.