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TESTING
System Configuration:
Measurement and Analysis Tools
- CPUBurn
processor stress software.
- FurMark
stability test to stress the integrated GPU.
- GPU-Z to
monitor GPU temperatures and fan speed.
- SpeedFan
to monitor system temperatures and fan speeds.
- Seasonic
Power Angel AC power meter, used to measure the power consumption
of the system.
System temperatures and noise levels were recorded with SpeedFan and GPU-Z
at idle and on load using 4 instances of CPUBurn to stress the CPU and FurMark
with the Xtreme Burn option to stress the GPU.
Stock Fan Measurements
Fractal Design Silent Series 120mm fan. |
|
120 mm Stock Fan Specifications
|
|
Manufacturer
|
|
Power Rating
|
0.72 W
|
|
Model Number
|
FD-FAN-120
|
Airflow Rating
|
38.3 CFM
|
|
Bearing Type
|
?
|
RPM Rating
|
1000 RPM
|
|
Corners
|
Open
|
Noise Rating
|
15 dBA
|
|
Frame Size
|
120 x 120 x 25 mm
|
Header Type
|
3-pin
|
|
Fan Blade Diameter
|
112 mm
|
Starting Voltage
|
~3.8V
|
|
Hub Size
|
40 mm
|
Weight
|
120 grams
|
| Data in green cells provided by the manufacturer or observed;
data in the blue cells were measured. |
|
140 mm Fan Specifications
|
|
Manufacturer
|
|
Power Rating
|
2.52 W
|
|
Model Number
|
FD-FAN-140
|
Airflow Rating
|
39 CFM
|
|
Bearing Type
|
?
|
RPM Rating
|
600 RPM
|
|
Corners
|
Closed
|
Noise Rating
|
9 dBA
|
|
Frame Size
|
140 x 140 x 25 mm
|
Header Type
|
3-pin
|
|
Fan Blade Diameter
|
129 mm
|
Starting Voltage
|
~6V
|
|
Hub Size
|
45 mm
|
Weight
|
150 grams
|
| Data in green cells provided by the manufacturer or observed;
data in the blue cells were measured. |
|
120 mm Stock Fan Measurements
|
|
Voltage
|
Speed
|
SPL @1m
|
|
12V
|
820 RPM
|
12 dBA
|
|
9V
|
630 RPM
|
11 dBA
|
|
140 mm Fan Measurements
|
|
12V
|
690 RPM
|
11 dBA
|
|
9V
|
520 RPM
|
<11 dBA
|
|
Measuring mic positioned 1m at diagonal angle from
the intake side of the fan.
Ambient noise level: 11 dBA.
|
We found that the 120 mm fans ran slower than expected, 820 RPM rather than
the rated 1000 RPM at 12V, while the 140 mm model spun a bit faster, closer
to 700 RPM than the 600 RPM listed on the box. Both the 120 and 140 mm fans
are very quiet on their own, close to our anechoic chamber's noise floor. However,
they both exhibit a noticeable ticking quality. It is particularly bad on the
120 mm model, being audible within one meter's distance at 12V, and within half
a meter at 9V.
The included fan controller has a range of about 6.4V to 11.4V.
Baseline Noise
Noise measurements were made of the case with the rear, front and side fan
at various voltages in various configurations. The air cavity resonances inside
a case amplify fan noise, as do any vibrations transferred from the fans into
the case, so these measurements can be regarded as the baseline SPL levels for
the case and fans.
|
Baseline Noise Level
|
|
Fan Voltage
|
SPL@1m
|
|
Front
(120 mm)
|
Rear
(120 mm)
|
Side
(140 mm)
|
|
12V
|
off
|
12 dBA
|
|
off
|
12V
|
off
|
13 dBA
|
|
off
|
12V
|
21~22 dBA (28~29 dBA with screws)
|
|
9V
|
off
|
11~12 dBA
|
|
12V
|
15 dBA
|
|
9V
|
7V
|
13~14 dBA
|
|
9V
|
16~18 dBA
|
|
12V
|
9V
|
18~19 dBA
|
|
12V
|
22~23 dBA
|
|
Measuring mic positioned 1m at diagonal angle left/front
of case.
|
Both 120 mm fans became louder when installed in the case, even though the
mic position places the front fan closer and the rear fan further away. Despite
the distance difference, the rear fan measured 1 dB higher than the front fan
as it was muffled by the vent and the front door. The 140 mm fan hanging on
the side panel was much louder unfortunately, measuring about 10 dBA higher
due to the vibrations passed onto the side panel, and interaction with the vent
in front of it. The rubber isolators definitely helped as the noise level was
much higher when we mounted the side fan flush against the panel with screws.
If the system doesn't have a high-end video card to cool, it would probably
be best to omit the side fan and leave the bitumen mat cover in place.
The case measured 16~18 dBA@1m with the rear, front and side fans @9V. |
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