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

The Fractal Design Kelvin S24 is fairly quite for an AIO. It is quieter than every other AIO except for Swiftech's H240-X and H220-X. Still, for a cooler that rivaled the Enermax LIQTECH 240, it is a comparable 7 dBA quieter at max speed. The Corsair H110 is the only other AIO with a similar noise rating, but it uses 140 mm fans. Overall noise levels are acceptable.

Fan Speeds

The Kelvin S24's fan profile is set to run at 800-1700 RPM and makes use of PWM. This explains the lower noise levels as every other AIO has its fans spin at 2100 RPM or more at full speed. Again, only Swiftech's H220-X and H240-X offer similar fan speeds and noise levels.