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Stock Noise Levels
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Antec Kühler H20 620/920 Pump Measurements
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Voltage
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SPL@1m
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H20 620
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H20 920
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12V
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16 dBA
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20 dBA
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9V
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14 dBA
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17~18 dBA
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7V
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12 dBA
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16 dBA
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Measuring mic positioned 1m at diagonal angle from
a point equal-distant between the pump and the fan(s).
Ambient noise level: 10~11 dBA.
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The lower-end 620 ships with just a single lower speed fan and a thinner radiator compared to the 920, but it also has a quieter pump that measures just 16 dBA at 12V to the 920's 20 dBA at one meter's distance, making it the better candidate for low noise operation. That being said they both sounded worse than a typical case fan generating the same SPL. 620's pump emits a low pitched constant buzzing while the 920 produces an irregular but sharper rattle. The volume diminishes as the pump voltage is lowered but the underlying tonality always remains. Editor's Note: Keep in mind that the pumps are not recommended to be run at below 12V. However, we have not seen any signs of damage or other ill effects from undervolting the pump.
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Kühler H20 620 stock fan above, 920 fan below.
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Specifications: Antec Kühler H20 620 (920) Stock Fans
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Manufacturer
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Power Rating
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? |
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Model Number
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?
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Airflow Rating
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81.3 CFM
(110 CFM) |
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Bearing Type
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? |
Speed Rating
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2000 RPM (2400 RPM) |
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Corners
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Closed |
Noise Rating
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27 dBA
(43 dBA) |
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Frame Size
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120 x 120 x 25 mm |
Header Type
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3-pin
(4-pin PWM) |
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Fan Blade Diameter
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113 mm |
Starting Voltage
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3.5 V (5.2V) |
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Hub Size
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43 mm |
Weight
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140 g (150 g) |
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Data in green cells provided by the manufacturer
or observed; data in the blue cells were measured.
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The 620 ships with a seven-blade 2000 RPM 3-pin fan while the larger 920 comes with a pair of nine-blade 2400 RPM 4-pin models. Being such high speed models, they are exceedingly loud at full blast, though their acoustics are dominated mainly by turbulence. Under 1000 RPM, they sounded fairly smooth with a bit of a buzzy character. The buzzing might be the result of the poorly angled struts, positioned almost parallel to the trailing edges of the fan blades.
The 4-pin model doesn't take well to non-PWM control as its starting voltage is just about 5V; below 6V, adjusting by increments of just 0.1V result in big RPM changes. The 920 has a software fan control system which could make this a non-issue.
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Antec Kühler H20 620 Stock Fan Measurements
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Voltage
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Speed
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SPL@1m
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Fan Only
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Fan & Pump
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12V
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1920 RPM
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33 dBA
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33 dBA
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9V
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1550 RPM
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27 dBA
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27~28 dBA
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7V
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1270 RPM
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21~22 dBA
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22 dBA
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6V
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1110 RPM
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18 dBA
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20 dBA
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5V
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940 RPM
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14 dBA
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19 dBA
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Measuring mic positioned 1m at diagonal angle from
a point equal-distant between the pump and the fan(s).
Ambient noise level: 10~11 dBA.
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Antec Kühler H20 920 Stock Fan Measurements
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Voltage
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Avg. Speed
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SPL@1m
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Fans Only
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Fans & Pump
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12V
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2360 RPM
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48~49 dBA
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48~49 dBA
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9V
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1930 RPM
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42 dBA
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42 dBA
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7V
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1470 RPM
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31~32 dBA
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32 dBA
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6V
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1190 RPM
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26 dBA
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26~27 dBA
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5.6V
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840 RPM
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17 dBA
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22 dBA
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Measuring mic positioned 1m at diagonal angle from
a point equal-distant between the pump and the fan(s).
Ambient noise level: 10~11 dBA.
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As the 620's pump measures 20 dBA at 12V compared to the 33 dBA for the stock fan, it's probably best to control the two separately rather than driving them off a single fan header. At 7V and above, the fan drowns out the pump, so the pump might as well be run at full speed. There's a similar mismatch with the 920, but it has an even smaller range of fan speeds where the pump actually makes an acoustic impact. We do plan on adjusting the voltage to the pump during testing, but it only seems worthwhile with the fan at 6V and below.
Kühler H20 920 Software
The fancier dual fan 920 ships with the "Chill Control V" software which allows users to monitor and adjust the fan and pump speeds via an internal USB connector.
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Dashboard.
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The main dashboard has temperature as well as fan and pump speed read-outs. A noise readout is also included but it is completely inaccurate. It might be based on based on the fan and pump speeds but it's either a complete gimmick or calibrated poorly as 8 dB is impossible at any speed other than 0 RPM.
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Fan control menu.
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The software also offers graphing functions and a rudimentary custom fan control menu with starting and full speed temperatures.
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Settings menu.
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Of course an enthusiast PC cooling device is not complete without LED control. Yes, for US$100, you get a thick high enclosed water cooler, a fan control system, and the LEDs lighting up the Antec name on the heat exchanger can be adjusted to a custom RGB level. If you're feeling festive, the boring blue light can be changed to pink with a few mouse clicks and keystrokes.
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