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. The 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 Scythe Katana 4 is surprisingly quiet until the fan hits full speed. It is quiet even then, to the point of being unobtrusive in a regular chassis. The Scythe cooler is silent at idle and light load. This is also where Scythe pulls a win over the Raijintek Aidos as the Katana 4 is 4-5 dBA quieter across the board.

Fan Speeds

After looking at its RPM readings at 25%, 50%, and 100% fan speed, it becomes obvious that the fan Scythe included has a PWM range that is skewed more toward operating silently at low loads. The fan performs well overall, especially if your look at its dBA readings in correlation to its RPM readings. Registering 46 dBA with an RPM of 2450, it is exceptional, as the Raijintek Aidos spins at roughly the same speed but is 4 dBA louder. The Slip Stream 92 mm PWM fan is definitely a solid performer and Scythe has done well to pair it up with their Katana 4 heatsink.