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
NoFan	CR-95C (horiz.)		0.0 dB	Intel/AMD
NoFan	CR-95C (vert.)		0.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	FX-100 (hor, ver)		0.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Silverstone	Heligon HE02 (vert.)		0.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Silverstone	Heligon HE02 (horiz.)		0.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Orochi SCORC-1000		27.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	FX-100 (w/h ZM-F2 fan)		28.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Zipang		33.1 dB	Intel/AMD
BeQuiet	Dark Rock Pro 3	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
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
Silentium	Fera2 HE1224	high	37.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Deepcool	Gammaxx S40	high	37.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5761 Silent		37.7 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
EKL	Alpenfohn Groß Clock'ner 2010		40.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Silverstone	NT01-Pro	high	40.4 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
Zalman	CNPS2X	high	41.2 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
SilenX	EFZ-92HA3	high	41.6 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
Scythe	Mugen 4	high	41.9 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
Thermalright	Silver Arrow	high	43.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Auras	SMF-660		43.4 dB	Intel
Glacialtech	Igloo 5710 Silent		43.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Gemin II M4	high	43.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Tuniq	Tower 120 Extreme	high	43.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Hyper48		43.6 dB	Intel/AMD
BeQuiet	Dark Rock Pro 3	high	43.7 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	Freezer A30	high	44.0 dB	AMD
Xigmatek	SD1283 Gaia	high	44.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Arctic Cooling	Alpine 7 Pro	high	44.1 dB	Intel
Scythe	Kozuti SCKZT-1000	high	44.2 dB	Intel/AMD
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
Spire	Gemini SP986B1-V2-2P	high	44.5 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
Noctua	NH-L12	high	44.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Asus	Lionsquare	high	44.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5610 Silent		44.7 dB	Intel
Glacialtech	Igloo H46	high	44.8 dB	Intel/AMD
npowertek	NPH-1366-115HC (LGA1366)	high	44.8 dB	Intel/AMD
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
Arctic Cooling	Freezer 13 Pro	high	45.1 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
Arctic Cooling	Freezer 11 LP	high	45.3 dB	Intel
Zerotherm	ZT-10D Premium	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
Corsair	Hydro H60	high	45.6 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
DeepCool	IceBlade Pro V2.0	high	45.7 dB	Intel/AMD
DeepCool	IceWind Pro	high	45.7 dB	Intel/AMD
DeepCool	Iceedge 400XT	high	45.7 dB	Intel/AMD
SilenX	EFZ-120HA5	high	45.8 dB	Intel/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
Zalman	CNPS12X	high	46.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	Mugen		46.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Auras	Shagon AHC-118	high	46.1 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
Noctua	NH-U12S		46.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Asus	Silent Knight 2	high	46.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Noctua	NH-L9i	high	46.3 dB	Intel/AMD
NZXT	Respire T20	high	46.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo H58	high	46.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Arctic Cooling	Alpine 64 Pro	high	46.4 dB	AMD
Xigmatek	Thors Hammer S126384		46.4 dB	Intel/AMD
NZXT	Respire T40	high	46.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermalright	MST-977SLE		46.5 dB	Intel
Noctua	NH-C14	high	46.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS10X Quiet	high	46.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Hyper 212 Evo	high	47.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Dynatron	Genius	high	47.2 dB	Intel/AMD
3Rsystem	Iceage 90		47.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Noctua	NH-U14S		47.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Arctic Cooling	Alpine 64 Plus	high	47.4 dB	AMD
nPowerTek	Hurricane NPH-105 (NB fan)		47.4 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
DeepCool	Neptwin	high	47.7 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
DeepCool	Gammaxx 400	high	48.0 dB	Intel/AMD
nPowerTek	NPH1366-140HC (LGA1366)	high	48.1 db	Intel
Zalman	CNPS9900DF	high	48.1 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
Zalman	CNPS8900 Extreme	high	48.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS11X Performa	high	48.2 dB	Intel/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
Evercool	Transformer 3	high	48.5 dB	Intel/AMD
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
Zalman	CNPS14X	high	48.7 dB	Intel/AMD
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
Xigmatek	SD128264 Aegir	high	49.1 dB	Intel/AMD
ECT	Prometeia Mach2 GT		49.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Phanteks	PH-TC14PE	high	49.2 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
Coolermaster	Gemin II S524	high	49.6 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
Raijintek	Ereboss	high	49.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Xigmatek	Prime SD1484	high	49.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermaltake	Silentboost K8		49.7 dB	AMD
Zalman	CNPS7700-Cu LED	high	49.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS10X Optima	high	49.9 dB	Intel/AMD
3Rsystem	iceage 120 Boss II	high	49.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Titan	TTC-NC15TZ	high	50.0 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
Zalman	LQ320	high	50.2 dB	Intel/AMD
DeepCool	Frostwin	high	50.2 dB	Intel/AMD
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
Gelid	The Black Edition	high	50.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermaltake	Jing	high	50.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5760 PWM	high	50.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS9500 LED	high	50.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS11X Extreme	high	50.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Eisberg 240L	high	50.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Gelid	GX-7	high	50.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermolab	Trinity	high	50.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5751PWM	high	50.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Cooljag	JYC 8A03A	high	50.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Evercool	HPK-10025EA		50.6 dB	Intel
Coolermaster	Hyper 612	high	50.7 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
Zalman	LQ315	high	50.8 dB	Intel/AMD
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
Glacialtech	Igloo 5620	high	51.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Sunbeamtech	Twister 120	high	51.2 dB	Intel/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
Scythe	Ashura Shadow (SCASR-1000SE)	high	51.4 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
Silverstone	NT06-P	high	51.6 dB	Intel/AMD
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
Coolermaster	TPC-812	high	52.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Glacer 240L	high	52.5 dB	Intel/AMD
DeepCool	Killer Whale Premium	high	52.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	V8	high	52.6 dB	Intel/AMD
NZXT	Havik 140		52.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	LQ310	high	52.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Zaward	Gyre ZCJ010	high	52.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Xigmatek	HDT-S983	high	52.7 dB	Intel/AMD
Raijintek	Themis	high	52.8 dB	Intel/AMD
OCZ	Vendetta	high	52.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Cooljag	Falcon 92-Cu	high	52.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermaltake	Water 2.0 Performer	high	52.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Evercool	HPL-815	high	52.9 dB	Intel/AMD
SilenX	iXtrema IXC-120HA2	high	52.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Silverstone	Tundra TD02	high	53.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Silverstone	Argon AR01	high	53.0 dB	Intel/AMD
Xigmatek	Dark Knight SD1283 Night Hawk Ed.	high	53.0 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
Xigmatek	SD963 Loki	high	53.2 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS9500 AM2	high	53.2 dB	AMD
Thermaltake	Water 2.0 Pro	high	53.3 dB	Intel/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
Titan	Siberia TTC-NC55TZ	high	52.5 dB	Intel/AMD
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
Auras	Shagon ARC118	high	53.8 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
Coolermaster	Seidon 120V	high	54.3 dB	Intel/AMD
Zalman	CNPS9900 Max	high	54.5 dB	Intel/AMD
NZXT	Havik 120	high	54.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Vortex Plus	high	54.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Hyper6	high	54.7 dB	AMD
Zalman	CNPS5X-SZ	high	54.8 dB	Intel/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
Evercool	HPJ-12025 Transformer 4 (2010)	high	55.4 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
Coolermaster	Seidon 240M	high	55.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Raijitek	Aidos	high	55.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Cooljag	OAK-H2	high	55.6 dB	Intel
Cooljag	OAK-H	high	55.7 dB	Intel
Evercool	Venti HPQ-12025	high	56.0 dB	Intel/AMD
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
Silverstone	Tundra TD03	high	58.1 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermaltake	Frio Extreme	high	58.2 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
Corsair	Hydro H80	high	58.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	Nepton 280L	high	58.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermaltake	Frio Advanced	high	58.8 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermalright	SLK-948U		58.8 dB	AMD
Zalman	Reserator 3 Max	high	58.9 dB	Intel/AMD
Alpha	PAL-8150		58.9 dB	AMD
Corsair	Hydro H100	high	59.2 dB	Intel/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
NZXT	Kraken X40	high	59.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Corsair	Hydro H100i	high	59.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Scythe	SCRT-1000 Rasetsu	high	59.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Glacialtech	Igloo 5610 PWM	high	59.5 dB	Intel
Coolermaster	Nepton 140XL	high	59.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Thermaltake	V1	high	59.6 dB	Intel/AMD
Coolermaster	V8 GTS	high	59.7 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
Silverstone	Heligon HE01	high	60.1 dB	Intel/AMD
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
NZXT	Kraken X60	high	60.7 dB	Intel/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
AMD	FX Series Liquid Cooler	high	62.5 dB	AMD
Gigabyte	3D Cooler-Pro	high	62.5 dB	Intel/AMD
Dynatron	G199 (LGA1366/1U)		62.6 dB	Intel
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
Corsair	Hydro H80i	high	64.0 dB	Intel/AMD
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
Thermaltake	FrioOCK	high	66.0 dB	Intel/AMD
ASUS	Starice	high	67.4 dB	Intel/AMD
Dynatron	G555 (LGA1366/2U)		67.8 dB	Intel
Thermaltake	Polo 735	high	68.0 dB	AMD
Thermaltake	Venus 12	high	68.1 dB	AMD
Dynatron	G556 (LGA1366/2U)		68.4 dB	Intel
Thermalfly	I75DUB	high	68.5 db	Intel
Dynatron	G666 (LGA1366/2U)		68.7 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 (lowest RPM or ~5V) tests reside in each specific heatsink review. ** 'AMD' denotes compatibility with AMD processors and 'Intel' denotes compatibility with Intel processors.

There are two fans on the BeQuiet Dark Rock Pro 3 heatsink, a 120mm PWM fan at the front which rotates at ~1700-2000RPM and a center 135mm PWM fan that spins at 1400RPM. Only the center fan has an RPM signal wire... With both fans operating at stock speed the Dark Rock Pro 3 creates a modest 43.7dBA noise. Slowing both fans to ~1400RPM causes the heatsink to become whisper quiet; 34.5 dBA.

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