Apack Sound Level Measurements: Which Heatsink is Quietest? - Zerotherm ZT-10D Premium FrostyTech Review

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

Scythe Zipang 33.1 dB Intel/AMD

Zerotherm ZT-10D Premium (2 fans) low 34.5 dB Intel/AMD

3Rsystem Iceage 80 Prima Mini 35.4 dB Intel/AMD

Glacialtech Igloo 5750 Silent 35.5 dB Intel/AMD

Zerotherm ZT-10D Premium (1 fan) low 35.6 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

SilenX EFZ-100HA1 high 38.0 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

SilenX EFZ-80HA2 high 40.6 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

SilenX EFZ-120HA3 high 41.7 dB Intel/AMD

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

Zerotherm ZT-10D Premium (1 fan) high 42.4 dB Intel/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

Thermolab BADA2010 high 44.3 dB Intel/AMD

Asus Triton 79 Amazing 44.3 dB Intel/AMD

Akasa Blue Aurora AK966BL high 44.4 dB Intel/AMD

DeepCool GamerStorm high 44.5 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

DeepCool Ice Matrix 400 high 45.0 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

Zerotherm ZT-10D Premium (2 fans) high 45.3 dB Intel/AMD

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

Deepcool Ice Warrior high 45.5 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

Glacialtech Siberia high 47.6 dB Intel/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

GlacialTech Alaska high 48.3 dB Intel/AMD

Apack CF900 high 48.3 dB Intel

Apack CF800 high 48.4 dB Intel

Arctic Cooling Freezer 13 high 48.5 dB Intel/AMD

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

SilenX EFZ-120HA4 high 48.7 dB Intel/AMD

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

DeepCool Ice Matrix 600 high 49.3 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

Glacialtech Igloo 5760 PWM high 50.3 dB Intel/AMD

Zalman CNPS9500 LED high 50.3 dB Intel/AMD

Glacialtech Igloo 5751PWM high 50.6 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

Akasa Venom high 54.1 dB Intel/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

Zalman CNPS9900 Max high 54.5 dB Intel/AMD

Coolermaster Vortex Plus high 54.6 dB Intel/AMD

Coolermaster Hyper6 high 54.7 dB AMD

Coolink Corator DS high 54.9 dB Intel/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

Akasa Venom Nano high 57.5 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

Scythe SCRT-1000 Rasetsu high 59.5 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 Zerotherm ZT-10D Premium heatsink doesn't ship with any fans, you've got to supply one or two 120mm fans of your own. For the purposes of this review, Zerotherm supplied two ZT-120F fans for the ZT-10D Premium heatsink to be tested with. The ZT-120F fans are rated for speeds of 1300-800 RPM and airflow of 73-34 CFM respectively. Air pressure is stated as 1.84mmH20. The fans are not PWM compliant, each ships with a set of resistors to decrease fan speed as needed (or not needed).

With one 120mm Zerotherm ZT-120F fan installed on the ZT-10D Premium heatsink, noise levels peaked at 42.2 dBA at stock speed (1300RPM) and fell to 35.6 dBA as fan speed was reduced to 800RPM.

With two of the 120mm Zerotherm ZT-120F fans installed in a push-pull configuration, noise levels rose marginally to 45.3 dBA at stock fan speed. Curiously, noise output fell slightly to 34.5 dBA when both fans were operating at reduced fan speed.

As you'll shortly see, running a single fan at stock speed gives better bang for the buck (noise/temp) than two fans at full blast. Likewise, running two fans at the slowest fan speed nets a better mix of reduced temperatures and decreased noise. That makes us wonder if the Zerotherm ZT-10D Premium might be better matched to a slightly higher air pressure, low speed 120mm fan than Zerotherm offer with the ZT-120F fan.

Next up are the AMD thermal test results, then it's on to Intel coolers...

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