Noise Levels & Fan Speeds

Testing Procedure

Fan noise testing is done at 25%, 50%, and 100% fan speed, with a Pyle PSPL25 sound pressure level meter recording the dBA level 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 used as a secondary method of confirming RPM and dBA readings. This ensures that proper results can still be obtained if MSI's Command Center cannot control the fan(s). 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

Cooling performance for a single-tower, single-fan design is solid, but nothing mind blowing. However, at just 42 RPM with the fan at its maximum RPM, the Pure Rock is very quiet. At 25% and 50%, the Silent Wings fan remains extremely quiet, placing second and third in those respective noise charts, so if silence is the mandate, be quiet!'s Pure Rock undoubtedly delivers.

Fan Speeds

Our RPM readings show that the marketing hype isn't all bollocks when it comes to be quiet!'s fans. The Silent Wings fan hits a maximum RPM of 1638 yet remains extremely quiet. The high quality fan and this cooler's good build quality make for a premium product; however, as seen in the performance charts, there are trade-offs to such a silent product.