Listening to the actual noise a heatsink makes allows you to hear what pure numbers alone cannot get across. To further emphasize FrostyTech's reliance on cold hard facts when evaluating a heatsink, we also take Decibel readings with a sound level meter. These results may be higher than the manufacturer's listed specs, but then again these are real world measurements. Measurements are made on the dB (A) scale.

FrostyTech Sound Level Results
-	Manufacturer	Model	Noise Level	Scale
	Zalman	CNPS7000-Cu	41.7 dB
	Thermalright (low)	SLK-900U	46.2 dB
	Zalman	CNPS6500-AlCu	47.4/28.9 dB
	Intel	Socket 478	42.5 dB
	JMC	400124	47.2 dB
	Arkua	848X-6B	49.3 dB
	Taisol	CEP426151A	50.7 dB
	JMC	400094	50.8 dB
	Vantec	CCK-7025	51.4 dB
	Arkua	838T-7G	51.7 dB
	JMC	401100	53.0 dB
	Dynatron	DC1207BMW	53.0 dB
	Dynatron	DC1207BMY	53.2 dB
	Dynatron	DC1207BMX	53.4 dB
	Thermal Integration (high)	TI-V7035TN	53.6 dB
	Zalman	CNPS5700D-Cu	53.8 dB
	Globalwin	VA476	54.2 dB
	Eumax	DW-45	54.2 dB
	Dynatron	DC1206BMV	55.1 dB
	Glacialtech	Igloo 3300	55.4 dB
	AVC	117140	56.1 dB
	Taisol	CCP445172	57.5 dB
	CPUMate	DIA10500	57.5 dB
	NengTyi	NW6700	58.0 dB
	Dynatron	DC1U-B02	62.2 dB
	Coolermaster	IHC-H71	64.4 dB	louder
	Thermalright (high)	SLK-900U	67.2 dB	louder

The numbers really speak for themselves here. With the louder fan the SLK900U produces upwards of 67.2 dB which is makes it the loudest socket 478 heatsink we have tested to date. With the Zalman fan strapped on, it is among the quietest. The key will be to take note of just how these two fans impact the thermal performance of this massive copper heatsink....