Noctua Acoustic Comparisons and Base Surface Quality

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

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

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

BeQuiet Shadow Rock Slim high 40.4 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

BeQuiet Dark Rock 3 high 41.8 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

BeQuiet Shadow Rock LP 42.6 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

BeQuiet PureRock 42.9 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

Noctua NH-D9L 43.2 dB Intel/AMD

Raijintek Pallas high 43.2 dB Intel/AMD

BeQuiet Shadow Rock 2 high 43.3 dB Intel/AMD

Scythe KAMA Angle high 43.3 dB Intel/AMD

Phanteks PH-TC12LS high 43.4 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

Noctua NH-U9S 44.3 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

BeQuiet Dark Rock TF 44.5 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-D9DXi4 3U 44.6 dB Intel

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

Noctua NH-L9x65 high 46.1 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

ID-Cooling SE-214X high 46.3 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

Phanteks PH-TC14S high 47.4 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

Noctua NH-D9L (front +2nd Fan) 47.8 dB Intel/AMD

Raijintek Tisis high 47.8 dB Inte/AMD

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

Reeven Justice RC-1204 high 48.5 dB Intel/AMD

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

Scythe Mugen Max SCMGD-1000 high 48.7 dB Intel/AMD

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

Scythe Ashura SCASR-1000 high 49.4 dB Intel/AMD

Reeven Hans RC-1205 high 49.4 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

Noctua NH-D15 high 49.8 dB Intel/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

Coolermaster Nepton 240M high 50.6 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

Reeven Ouranos RC-1401 high 52.5 dB Intel/AMD

DeepCool Gamer Storm Lucifer high 52.5 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

Coolermaster Hyper D92 high 53.4 dB Intel/AMD

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

Reeven Okeanos RC-1402 high 54.2 dB Intel/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

X2 Products Eclipse IV high 57.4 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

DeepCool Maelstrom 240 high 58.6 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.

The Noctua NH-D9L heatsink ships with a single 92mm NF-A9 fan mounted between the cooling towers. The fan rotates at a fixed 2000PM which creates about 43.2dBA noise according to our real world sound measurements. The included fan speed reducer, if used, will slow the fan to a quieter 1550RPM.

For this review, Frostytech also tested the NH-D9L with a second NF-A9 fan mounted to the front of the heatsink. In this optional two-fan configuration, noise output increased to a moderate 47.8dBA.

Next, we'll see how an extra fan impacts the heatsinks' AMD thermal performance.

FrostyTech.com Since June 1999	Find a Heatsink . Latest Heatsink Reviews . Top 5 Heatsinks Tested . Top 5 Low Profile Heatsinks . Top 5 Liquid Coolers . Heatsinks by Mfgr / Brand	Social Media . Facebook . Twitter . Pinterest	FrostyTech.com Info . Feedback . Contact Us / Heatsink Submissions . Submit News . Privacy Policy
© Copyright 1999-2024 www.frostytech.com All Rights Reserved. Privacy policy and Terms of Use Images © FrostyTech.com and may not be reproduced without express written permission. Current students and faculty of accredited Universities may use Frostytech images in research papers and thesis, provided each image is attributed.

	TOP 5 Heat Sinks TOP 5 Low Profile Heat Sinks TOP 5 Liquid Coolers Heatsinks by Brand / Mfgr Reviews + Articless Advanced Search