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TEST RESULTS
Noise
The included fan controller had a range of 830~2020rpm which is the equivalent
of 4.4V~12.0V. With our custom fan controller, we found that the fan's starting
voltage was 4.3V, so the included controller effectively gives you full control.
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Stock Fan Measurements (in system)
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Voltage
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Speed
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SPL@1m
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12V
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2020 RPM
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30 dBA
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9V
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1680 RPM
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26 dBA
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7V
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1400 RPM
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21 dBA
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6V
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1210 RPM
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18 dBA
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5V
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1000 RPM
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15 dBA
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4.3V
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800 RPM
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13~14 dBA
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Ambient noise level: 11 dBA
(12 dBA with the test system on)
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The noise generated by the Setsugen's fan has a whiny, turbulent character
which becomes smoother and less annoying at lower speeds. That being said, it
is still much better than most aftermarket coolers as it doesn't hum and there
is almost no chatter emanating from the fan's bearings. The turbulence is very
pronounced due to the fan's constrictive environment which causes it to be fairly
loud. In our test system, it was audible throughout its range at one meter,
becoming tolerable at 7V, but not really quiet until 6V.
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Test system with the Setsugen's fan at 5V. The profile is broadband.
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Test system with the Setsugen's fan at 12V. Some tonality noted
at ~520Hz.
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Performance
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Test Results: Scythe Setsugen
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Fan Voltage
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SPL@1m
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Avg. Core Temp
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Avg. VRM Temp
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12V
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30 dBA
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84°C
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115°C
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9V
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26 dBA
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91°C
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128°C
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7V
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21 dBA
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95°C
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132°C
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6V
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18 dBA
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103°C
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146°C
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5V
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15 dBA
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stopped
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stopped
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Ambient temperature: 23°C
Ambient noise level: 11 dBA
(12 dBA with the test system on)
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The Setsugen was only able to keep the GPU temperature below 90°C at higher
fan speeds. At 6V, the only quiet level we fully tested, the GPU temperature
increased past 100°C and the VRMs reached 146°C. At 5V, the VRM temperature
quickly surpassed 150°C, within 5~10°C of card failure, so we stopped
testing.
These results were obtained using the stock cooling plate; if our HD 4890 did
not have one, and we were forced to use the small heatsinks provided by Scythe,
we likely would've stopped at 9V. The VRMs ran 15~20°C hotter on the dual
fan Musashi using Scythe's heatsinks rather than the stock cooling plate, and
we imagine it would be even higher on the single fan Setsugen.
Now you may be wondering if you can flip the fan around and blow it onto the
GPU. With some effort the wire clips holding the fan can be removed, but simply
reversing the fan's orientation isn't possible. Like most fans it doesn't have
struts on the back, so the blades and hub on the backside rub up against the
heatsink. In a typical tower case, gravity will pull the it downward and prevent
it from spinning altogether. If you strap the fan onto the outside of the heatsink,
you might as well get the dual fan Scythe Musashi instead as the thickness would
be comparable.
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