Cougar Evolution Chassis Review

1. Introduction2. Cougar Evolution Exterior3. Cougar Evolution Chassis Internal4. System Installation5. Testing Methodology & Results6. Acoustical Performance7. Closing Thoughts8. View All Pages

Today to test this chassis we have set our Digital Sound Level Noise Decibel Meter Style 2 one meter away from the case. The room rates as 22dBa before powering on the system.

We then removed the discrete graphics card, and temporarily turned the two Akasa Venom Voodoo fans off. This leaves us with only the included case fans and very little noise from the power supply fan.

As this can be a little confusing for people, here are various dBa ratings in with real world situations to help describe the various levels.

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

As the Cougar Evolution includes a fan controller we first set both intake and exhaust to the maximum settings and then the minimum settings to record two different sound level readings.

While you can hardly feel the difference between the two extremes of the fans' speeds, the difference in the sound level is certainly noticeable. However, even at full speed these two fans are fairly quiet.

Become a Patron!