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

With a maximum reading of 44 dBA, the H220-X is very quiet in comparison to other AIOs. When it comes to noise, it even compares favorably to many high-end air coolers, like the Noctua NH-D15. Looking at the Corsair H105, the closest competing cooler I have tested, it reaches 54 dBA, which is a full 10 dBA louder then the H220-X. In regards to performance and noise, the Swiftech H220-X hits a fine balance while being head and shoulders above the H105 in terms of quality.

Fan Speeds

Swiftech's H220-X has a relatively low-noise fan-speed profile. Ranging from 800-1800 RPM, it follows that sweet-spot mentality by keeping fan speeds below the 2000 RPM mark. The interesting thing to note here is that while the Corsair H105 proves to be a contender for the H220-X, it does so with some high-speed fans and a whole lot of noise in comparison.