Cougar Challenger Mid Tower Case Review

1. Introduction2. Packaging & Bundle3. Cougar Challenger: Exterior4. Cougar Challenger: Interior5. System Installation6. Testing Methodology and Thermal Performance7. Acoustic Performance8. Closing Thoughts9. View All Pages

Acoustic Performance Test Procedures:

• We placed our Digital Sound Level Meter one metre away from the front of the case.
• Only the case fans and our power supply are active to accurately isolate the acoustic performance of the case fans.
• The case fans are set to maximum speed (connected to the 12V molex connectors of our PSU).
• The Cougar Challenger‘s default fan configuration is 1x 200mm front intake fan and 1x 120mm rear exhaust fan.

Please refer to our KitGuru noise guide for a comparison between the noise levels of this case and everyday scenarios.

KitGuru noise guide
10dBA – Normal Breathing/Rustling Leaves
20-25dBA – Whisper
30dBA – High Quality Computer fan
40dBA – A Bubbling Brook, or a Refrigerator
50dBA – Normal Conversation
60dBA – Laughter
70dBA – Vacuum Cleaner or Hairdryer
80dBA – City Traffic or a Garbage Disposal
90dBA – Motorcycle or Lawnmower
100dBA – MP3 player at maximum output
110dBA – Orchestra
120dBA – Front row rock concert/Jet Engine
130dBA – Threshold of Pain
140dBA – Military Jet takeoff/Gunshot (close range)
160dBA – Instant Perforation of eardrum

Acoustic levels for the Challenger are average. A 40.1 dbA noise output isn't bad, but an inexpensive fan controller would have helped reduce the acoustic value.

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