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

When it comes to noise levels, the Raijintek Triton is one of the loudest coolers I have ever tested. Fan speeds had to be tested manually, but were set to roughly the same 25%, 50%, and 100% PWM settings most other coolers are tested at. At 25%, the Triton comes in at 39 dBA, which is similar to many other AIOs, although it beats and loses to a few. Pushed to roughly 50%, we see noise levels jump to 48 dBA. At 58 dBA with 100%, the Triton is definitely the loudest cooler I have tested thus far. Keep in mind that its cooling performance is tested with its fans at max speed. So while it performs as well as the Fractal Design Kelvin S24, it was also a whopping 10 dBA louder. Such noise measurements make for a truly obnoxious cooler, and lowering fan speeds to drop noise levels would also make its performance dip. The Triton is definitely not for users looking for a quiet computing experience.

Fan Speeds

The fans max out at 2430 RPM, which is not the highest I have seen; however, they are the loudest fans I have seen anyone pair with an AIO radiator. The Corsair H105 hits 54 dBA with its fans at 2598 RPM. The Kelvin S24 hits 48 dBA with its fans at 1802 RPM. One offers better performance with faster fans while being quieter. The other is far quieter and offers the same performance. Both outshine the Raijintek Triton when it comes to fans and noise levels. An upgrade to PWM fans with a better RPM range would probably help some.