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
Scythe	Orochi SCORC-1000		27.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Noctua	NH-D14	low	30.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Zipang		33.1 dB	Intel/AMD
3Rsystem	Iceage 80 Prima Mini		35.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5750 Silent		35.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Verax	Helado		36.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Silverstone	NT07-775	high	36.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 7311 Silent		36.5 dB	AMD
Intel	Stock Core 2 Duo		36.7 dB	Intel
Scythe	Mine Rev.B		36.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Zipang 2		37.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 7222 Light		37.7 dB	AMD
Scythe	Infinity SCINF-1000		37.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Katana II		37.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5610 Plus Silent		38.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Shuriken	high	38.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Andy Samuri Master SCASM-1000		38.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Evercool	HPJ-12025 Transformer 4		38.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5710 Plus Silent		39.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Akasa	Nero AK967	high	39.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Big Shuriken	high	39.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Kama Cross		40.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Noctua	NH-C12P	high	40.4 dB	Intel/AMD
EKL	GroB Clock'ner		40.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Noctua	NH-U12P	high	40.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 7321 Silent E		41.0 dB	AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5063 Cu Silent E		41.0 dB	Intel
Glacialtech	Igloo 7312 Silent E		41.1 dB	AMD
Asus	Triton 85	high	41.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Asus	Triton 77	high	41.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolink	Silentator	high	41.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Gelid	Tranquillo	high	41.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Intel	Stock Core 2 Duo E4400		41.6 dB	Intel
Scythe	Ninja Mini		41.7 dB	Intel/AMD
OCZ	Vendetta 2	high	41.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Noctua	NH-U9B	high	41.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Gigabyte	NeonCooler 8-BL		42.0 dB	AMD
AMA	Serac 770		42.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 7223 Light E		42.3 dB	AMD
Glacialtech	UFO V51 Silent		42.4 dB	Intel/AMD
EKL	GroB Clock'ner Blue Ed.	high	42.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Arctic Cooling	Freezer 64 LP		42.6 dB	AMD
Xigmatek	S1284 Achilles	high	42.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Asus	Silent Square EVO	high	42.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Nexus	VCT-9000	high	42.9 dB	Intel/AMD
OCZ	Gladiator Max	high	42.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Nexus	HOC-9000	high	43.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	KAMA Angle	high	43.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Auras	SMF-660		43.4 dB	Intel
Glacialtech	Igloo 5710 Silent		43.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Tuniq	Tower 120 Extreme	high	43.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Hyper48		43.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Auras	LPT-709		43.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Arctic Cooling	Alpine64		43.9 dB	AMD
Thermaltake	ISGC-300	high	44.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Arctic Cooling	Alpine 7 Pro	high	44.1 dB	Intel
Xigmatek	HDT-S1284EE	high	44.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Asus	Triton 79 Amazing		44.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Akasa	Blue Aurora AK966BL	high	44.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermalright	Ultra 120 Extreme		44.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Akasa	Revo (horizontal)	high	44.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermalright	SI-128SE		44.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Dynatron	A22		44.5 dB	AMD
Asus	Lionsquare	high	44.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5610 Silent		44.7 dB	Intel
Zerotherm	Nirvana NV 120 PWM	high	44.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Asus	Arctic Square	high	44.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS7000B-CU	high	44.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Prolimatech	Megahalems (50CFM)	high	45.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS7000A-Cu	high	45.2 dB	AMD
Zalman	CNPS7000-Cu	high	45.2 dB	AMD
Akasa	AK-860SF		45.2 dB	AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5062 Cu Light		45.2 dB	Intel
Thermaltake	ISGC-400	high	45.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Noctua	NH-U12		45.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Ajigo	MF043-044		45.4 dB	AMD
Zalman	CNPS10X Flex (50CFM)		45.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermaltake	ISGC-100	high	45.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Kingwin	XT-1264	high	45.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Silverstone	NT07-AM2	high	45.6 dB	AMD
Corsair	Hydro H50	high	45.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Spire	SP741B3		45.6 dB	AMD
Scythe	Grand Kama Cross	high	45.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Hyper 212		45.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Shogun	high	45.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Rosewill	RCX-Z2-EX	high	45.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Mugen		46.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Arctic Cooling	Alpine 11 Pro	high	46.1 dB	Intel/AMD
DeepCool	Ice Blade Pro	high	46.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Arctic Cooling	Freezer 7LP	high	46.1 dB	Intel
Asus	Silent Knight 2	high	46.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Arctic Cooling	Alpine 64 Pro	high	46.4 dB	AMD
Xigmatek	Thors Hammer S126384		46.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermalright	MST-977SLE		46.5 dB	Intel
Zalman	CNPS10X Quiet	high	46.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Dynatron	Genius	high	47.2 dB	Intel/AMD
3Rsystem	Iceage 90		47.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	F101 PWM	high	47.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Intel	Stock Pentium D	high	47.5 dB	Intel
nPowertek	TTIC NPH-1000		47.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Kama SCKK1000		47.5 dB	AMD
Zerotherm	FZ120	high	47.6 dB	Intel/AMD
nPowerTek	Hurricane NPH-105 (NB fan)	high	47.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Hyper Z600		47.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Akasa	AK-975CU	high	47.7 dB	Intel
3Rsystem	Iceage 120	high	47.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Noctua	NH-D14	high	48.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS8700 LED	high	48.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Akasa	AK-965	high	48.1 dB	Intel
Thermaltake	Contac 29	high	48.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Akasa	AK-876	high	48.2 dB	AMD
Thermolab	TLI-U Nano Silencer		48.0 dB	Intel
Apack	CF900	high	48.3 dB	Intel
Apack	CF800	high	48.4 dB	Intel
Gelid	Silent Spirit	high	48.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5058 Light E		48.5 dB	Intel
LS Cable	SHS-T700		48.5 dB	Intel
Thermaltake	ISGC-200	high	48.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Auras	CTC-868 (closed)		48.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermalfly	I75DUH		48.7 dB	Intel
Coolage	Frozen Orb F0-Z924AL	high	48.9 dB	Intel
Spire	SP601B3		48.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Hyper N520		49.0 dB	Intel/AMD
ECT	Prometeia Mach2 GT		49.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Cooler Master	Hyper Z600 Black Label	high	49.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Apack	Zerotherm Nirvana 120		49.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermaltake	DuOrb		49.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Xigmatek	DK-S1283	high	49.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	GeminII S	high	49.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Asus	Triton 75		49.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermaltake	Silentboost K8		49.7 dB	AMD
Zalman	CNPS7700-Cu LED	high	49.8 dB	Intel/AMD
3Rsystem	iceage 120 Boss II	high	49.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermaltake	SpinQ VT	high	50.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Hyper 212 Plus	high	50.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermolab	BARAM (core contact fan)	high	50.1 dB	Intel/AMD
nPowertek	NPH-775-1		50.1 dB	Intel
Xigmatek	HDT-S963	high	50.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Sunbeamtech	Core-Contact Freezer 92mm Ed.	high	50.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Evercool	Buffalo HPEA-10025		50.2 dB	AMD
Zalman	CNPS9500 LED	high	50.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Xigmatek	HDT-S1283	high	50.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Gigabyte	3D-Rocket		50.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS7700-Cu	high	50.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Cooljag	JYC 8A03A	high	50.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Evercool	HPK-10025EA		50.6 dB	Intel
Thermaltake	SpinQ	high	50.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS7500-Cu LED	high	50.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Arctic Cooling	Freezer 64 Pro		50.9 dB	AMD
Zalman	CNPS10X Flex (80CFM)		51.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermolab	BARAM 2010 (80 CFM)	high	51.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Spire	Thermax Eclipse II		51.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Sunbeamtech	Core-Contact Freezer	high	51.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5063 Light E		51.5 dB	Intel
Evercool	K802-715		51.5 dB	AMD
Alpha Novatech	PRE9060M92P	high	51.5 dB	Intel
Zaward	Vapor 120	high	51.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Evercool	Transformer 6	high	51.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Tuniq	Tower 120	high	51.6 dB	Intel/AMD
OCZ	Tempest		51.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Samurai SCSM1000	high	51.6 dB	AMD
Apack	Zerotherm BTF80		51.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermolab	TLI-S Micro Silencer		52.0 dB	Intel
Apack	Zerotherm BTF90		52.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Cooljag	Falcon 92-AL	high	52.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Auras	LPT-700		52.2 dB	Intel
Auras	SLC-747	high	52.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS9700NT	high	52.2 dB	Intel/AMD
nPowertek	NPH K8-1		52.2 dB	AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5750 PWM	high	52.3 dB	Intel/AMD
DeepCool	Killer Whale Premium	high	52.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	V8	high	52.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Zaward	Gyre ZCJ010	high	52.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Xigmatek	HDT-S983	high	52.7 dB	Intel/AMD
OCZ	Vendetta	high	52.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Cooljag	Falcon 92-Cu	high	52.8 dB	Intel/AMD
SilenX	iXtrema IXC-120HA2	high	52.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Prolimatech	Megahalems (80CFM)	high	53.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolage	X120TF		53.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermolab	BARAM		53.0 dB	Intel/AMD
DeepCool	IceWing 5 Pro	high	53.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS9500 AM2	high	53.2 dB	AMD
Zalman	CNPS9500 AT		53.3 dB	Intel
Zerotherm	Core 92	high	53.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5057 E		53.4 dB	Intel
DeepCool	Killer Whale	high	53.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Jetart	JAX801		53.5 dB	AMD
Apack	Zerotherm BTF92 OC Ed	high	53.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Hyper TX2		53.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermalright	Ultra 120		53.7 dB	Intel/AMD
XtremeGear	HP-1216B	high	54.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermolab	BADA	high	54.0 dB	Intel/AMD
nPowerTek	NPH-Big K8		54.0 dB	AMD
Dynatron	Evo-11	high	54.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Rosewill	RCX-Z1	high	54.1 dB	AMD
Vantec	VAF-1225 Aeroflow FX 120	high	54.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Vortex Plus	high	54.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Hyper6	high	54.7 dB	AMD
nPowertek	NPH-775-115HC		55.0 dB	Intel
Xigmatek	AIO-S80DP	high	55.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Danamics	LMX Extreme	high	55.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Verax	Quattro 1	high	55.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS9300AT	high	55.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Arctic Cooling	Silencer 64 Ultra TC	high	55.5 dB	AMD
Evercool	Magic Cooler		55.5 dB	AMD
Cooljag	OAK-H2	high	55.6 dB	Intel
Cooljag	OAK-H	high	55.7 dB	Intel
Coolermaster	Hyper TX3	high	56.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolage	Frozen Orb 2924HDC	high	56.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Gigabyte	Volar GH-PSV21-FB	high	56.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermalright	Ultra-90	high	56.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Titan	Cool Idol TTC-NK75TZ	high	56.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Akasa	AK-960E		56.3 dB	Intel
Dynatron	SK-V24		56.4 dB	AMD
Thermaltake	MaxOrb EX	high	56.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS9700 LED	high	56.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	FS-C77		56.5 dB	Intel/AMD
AVC	Black Samurai	high	56.7 dB	Intel/AMD
nPowertek	NPH-775-140HC	high	56.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Gigabyte	3D Rocket-Pro	high	56.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Vantec	Mach1	high	56.9 dB	AMD
Xigmatek	HDT-SD964	high	57.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermaltake	MaxOrb	high	57.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS8000	high	57.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS9900 LED	high	57.5 dB	Intel/AMD
EKL	V8	high	57.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Sunon	Waturbo		57.5 dB	Intel
Antazone	AS-C1000		57.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Spire	Thermax II (SP67951)	high	57.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Vantec	VAF-9225 Aeroflow FX92	high	57.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS10X Extreme	high	58.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Noctua	NH-U9		58.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Titan	TTC-NK85TZ	high	58.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Rosewill	RCX-Z3	high	58.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS10X Performa	high	58.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermalright	SLK-948U		58.8 dB	AMD
Alpha	PAL-8150		58.9 dB	AMD
Enzotech	Ultra-X	high	59.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Akasa	AK-920	high	59.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Akasa	AK-873	high	59.2 dB	AMD
Coolermaster	Aquagate Mini R80	high	59.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5610 PWM	high	59.5 dB	Intel
Thermaltake	V1	high	59.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermaltake	BigTyp 14Pro	high	59.7 dB	Intel/AMD
AVC	Z7U3301001	high	59.9 dB	AMD
Rosewill	RCX-Z2		59.9 dB	Intel
CoolIT	Domino ALC	high	60.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Spire	Fourier IV SP607B3-C		60.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Akasa	AK-922 (EVObue)	high	60.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Ajigo	MF064-074	high	60.3 dB	AMD
Thermalfly	F1-IACSHA	high	60.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Cooljag	SFO-Q	high	60.6 dB	AMD
Cooljag	SFO-H	high	60.6 dB	AMD
Akasa	AK-961		60.7 dB	Intel
Thermaltake	Jungle512	high	60.8 dB	Intel
Intel	FCLGA4-S Reference (P mode)	high	61.1 dB	Intel
Ibuypower	IBP-Z001	high	61.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Gigabyte	3D Cooler-Pro	high	62.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermaltake	Frio	high	62.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Gigabyte	3D Cooler-Ultra	high	63.0 dB	Intel/AMD
AVC	Z7U7414001 (stock AM2)	high	63.0 dB	AMD
Titan	TTC-K8ATB/825/SC		63.1 dB	AMD
Evercool	PT02-9232CP		63.3 dB	Intel
CoolJag	SFO-D(18SC)		64.0 dB	AMD
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
Thermaltake	Polo 735	high	68.0 dB	AMD
Thermaltake	Venus 12	high	68.1 dB	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.

The Noctua NH-D14 heatsink ships with two fans, a 120mm x 25mm unit called the NF-P12 that operates at 900-1300RPM and a 140mm x 25mm unit called the NF-P14 that operates at 900-1200RPM. With both the NF-P12 and NF-P14 fans spinning at full speed, noise is a pretty moderate 48.1dBA.

The Noctua NH-D14 heatsink will perform comparably well against other performance heatsinks at this fan setting, but the real sweet spot is when both fans are slowed down to just 900RPM. At this fan speed the NH-D14 heatsink operates at a near whisper quiet 30.8dBA, yet it does so without sacrificing significant thermal performance.

Frostytech is going to hold back on our final thoughts until after the AMD/Intel thermal performance tests. First up is the AMD synthetic thermal test platform, then it's on to Intel...