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. 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

Silverstone's TD02-LITE is far from quiet. Hitting 41 dBA at just 25% fan speed is not great way to start off, and a maximum of 51 dBA makes it very loud for the performance it offers. While not the worst offender in terms of noise, it's still loud, which is unfortunately no surprise since most all-in-one coolers are. Only a select few are truly quiet, and the TD02-LITE is not one of them.

Fan Speeds

RPM readings reinforce the noise levels I recorded during testing. The 1500-2500 RPM range means the TD02-LITE will make enough noise to even be heard in idle.