Acoustic Samples: Listen to this Heatsink!

The stock Intel Core 2 Duo heatsink utilizes a suspended 84mm diameter PWM fan that operates very quietly at its default speed. For some reason, the exact RPM specs for the Nidec F09A-12B1S2 fan seem to be unavailable, so we are estimating fan speed is 1500RPM. To listen to this heatsink in operation click on the little headphones icon below and play the sample MP3 files.

frostytech acoustic sampling chamber - full speed
	standard waveform view of a 10 second recording. click on the headphones icon to listen to an mp3 recording of this heatsink in operation. the fan is rotating at an estimated 1500 rpm

Sound Level Measurements: Which Heatsink is Quietest?

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 noise level measurements with a sound level meter.

FrostyTech Heatsink Noise Level Measurements Noise level Decibel measurements of each heatsinks' fan in operation are taken with the aid of a sound level meter and sound isolating enclosure. The values may be higher than the mfgr's listed specs, but are directly comparable to one another. Measurements are made on the dB (A) scale, lower values are best. Information on Frostytech's test methodology is available here.
manufacturer:	model no.:	fan* speed:	noise level (dba):	cpu** platform
Verax	Helado		36.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Intel	Stock Core 2 Duo		36.7 dB	Intel
Scythe	Mine Rev.B		36.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Katana II		37.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Kama Cross		40.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Intel	Stock Pentium D	low	40.5 dB	Intel
Coolermaster	Hyper48		43.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Asus	Arctic Square	high	44.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS7000B-CU	high	44.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Noctua	NH-U12		45.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Shogun	high	45.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Rosewill	RCX-Z2-EX	high	45.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Intel	Stock Pentium D	high	47.5 dB	Intel
Apack	CF900	high	48.3 dB	Intel
Apack	CF800	high	48.4 dB	Intel
LS Cable	SHS-T700		48.5 dB	Intel
Thermalfly	I75DUH		48.7 dB	Intel
Spire	SP601B3		48.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS7700-Cu LED	high	49.8 dB	Intel/AMD
nPowertek	NPH-775-1		50.1 dB	Intel
Zalman	CNPS9500 LED	high	50.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Gigabyte	3D-Rocket		50.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS7700-Cu	high	50.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Alpha Novatech	PRE9060M92P	high	51.5 db	Intel
OCZ	Tempest		51.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Apack	Zerotherm BTF80		51.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Apack	Zerotherm BTF90		52.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Cooljag	Falcon 92-AL	high	52.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Cooljag	Falcon 92-Cu	high	52.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS9500 AT		53.3 dB	Intel
Thermalright	Ultra 120		53.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Xigmatek	AIO-S80DP	high	55.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Verax	Quattro 1	high	55.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Cooljag	OAK-H2	high	55.6 dB	Intel
Cooljag	OAK-H	high	55.7 dB	Intel
Thermalright	Ultra-90	high	56.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Akasa	AK-960E		56.3 dB	Intel
Zalman	CNPS9700 LED	high	56.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	FS-C77		56.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Gigabyte	3D Rocket-Pro	high	56.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS8000	high	57.4 dB	Intel/AMD
EKL	V8	high	57.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Sunon	Watrubo		57.5 dB	Intel
Antazone	AS-C1000		57.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Noctua	NH-U9		58.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Rosewill	RCX-Z3	high	58.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Enzotech	Ultra-X	high	59.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Akasa	AK-920	high	59.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Aquagate Mini	high	59.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Rosewill	RCX-Z2		59.9 dB	Intel
Akasa	AK-922 (EVObue)	high	60.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermalfly	F1-IACSHA	high	60.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Akasa	AK-961		60.7 dB	Intel
Thermaltake	Jungle512	high	60.8 dB	Intel
Gigabyte	3D Cooler-Pro	high	62.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Gigabyte	3D Cooler-Ultra	high	63.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Evercool	PT02-9232CP		63.3 dB	Intel
nPowertek	SF 775-2	high	64.6 dB	Intel
Gigabyte	GH-PCU23-VE	high	65.6 dB	Intel/AMD
ASUS	Starice	high	67.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermalfly	I75DUB	high	68.5 db	Intel
Gigabyte	G-Power Pro	high	71.9 dB	Intel/AMD
			noise level (dba)
*unless noted, for reference heatsinks with variable-speed fans only the 'high speed' (12V) fan noise measurement is included in the comparison sheet; more detailed results for the low fan speed (~5V) tests reside in each specific heatsink review. ** 'AMD' denotes compatibility with socket 754/939/940 & AM2 processors where applicable. 'Intel' denotes compatibility with socket 775 platform.

With its Nidec F09A-12B1S2 fan rotating at default speed (est. 1500RPM via 3-pin fan power supply), the stock Intel Core 2 Duo heatsink produces a very quiet 36.7dBA noise. This fan model pulls 0.2A in operation, while the older stock Intel Pentium D fan draws 0.42A power. The latter spins faster but creates more noise as a result.

Surface Finish and Flatness

Surface finish is an important factor that we all look for when holding a new heatsink. Flipping a cooler over to see how well the base has been machined is a quick way to judge the attention to detail that was put into making it. The following test involves the use of a Surface Roughness Comparator, which offers a concise cross section common machine surface finishes.

The stock Intel Core 2 Duo heatsink has a surface roughness of approximately 8 microinches, which is considered very good. Next, let's see how this heatsink handles the heat compared to a selection of other heatsinks!