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 Zalman Reserator 3 Max Dual is loud. At 44 dBA with 25% fan speed, it is a loud cooler because of the noise its pump and not its fans produce. At 50% fan speed, the pump and fans are roughly equivalent in terms of noise output, and a reading of 48 dBA would be fine in a proper chassis. Zalman's cooler hits 55 dBA at 100%, however, which puts it a mere 1 dBA behind the loudest cooler I have tested to date.
Fan Speeds
RPM readings are misleading as the fans themselves are just as loud at 25%—comfortably quiet at 1066 RPM. Hit 2402 RPM, however, and you will see why noise levels climbed as high as they did. The Reserator 3 Max Dual is not a cooler for those looking to put together a silent system.