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As the Corator DS heatsink uses the same SWiF2 120P as we received in a box format we felt we would test the acoustics performance of both fans then concentrate on the cooler performance later.
Recently we have changed our method of measuring noise levels. For most reviews we have built a system inside a Lian Li chassis with no case fans and have used a fanless cooler on our CPU. We are using a heatpipe based passive power supply and an Intel SSD to keep noise levels to a minimum. The motherboard is passively cooled and we use a Sapphire HD5670 Ultimate Edition graphics card which is also passively cooled. Ambient noise in the room is kept as low as possible. We measure from a distance of around 1 meter from the chassis and 4 foot from the ground to mirror a real world situation.
Why do this? Well this means we can eliminate secondary noise pollution in the test room and concentrate on only the components we are testing. It also brings us slightly closer to industry standards, such as DIN 45635.
To test today we have a fanless power supply in our acoustic lab powering the individual fans. We normally use air conditioning which generates noise levels around 21dBa. We disabled air conditioning to lower ambient noise to 16.2dBa.
We use a SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter (6-130dBa) from a distance of 1 meter.
KitGuru noise guide
10dBA – Normal Breathing/Rustling Leaves
20-25dBA – Whisper
30dBA – High Quality Computer fan
40dBA – A Bubbling Brook, or a Refridgerator
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
The SWiF2 1201 fan certainly lives up to the high expectations we had before testing – with the unit only generating 18.5 DbA of noise – almost identical to the Coolink rating of 18.2 dBa. These are very impressive readings, especially considering the decent airflow.
Toggling various fan speeds with a controller panel we registered a full speed noise level of 28.3 dBA at 1,700 rpm. At 1,300 rpm the noise level dropped to around 22.7 dBa and at the lowest setting of 800 rpm the fan was registering the same levels as ambient. We have no means to measure lower than this, but we can assure readers that this fan is basically silent under 1100 rpm.
This is a brilliant cooler but I think its slightly overpriced and very hard to buy anywhere.
Seems to be a great product again from the strikeforce behind Noctua. Shame it only has one fan, most high end coolers now come with two, it proves that two is better with this review t oo.
These austrian guys are really into delivering some awesome CPU coolers. where is their main factory? far east or local?
It is great but as the review says, it has stiff competition at the price. Frio is £35 here now, and its hard to beat at that price point.
Very good review, liked the fact you tested with not only 1 fan, but added one more then 2 more ! I think it proves to coolink they need to add another and keep the price point, it would sell more im sure.
Good product, but I agree, the FRIO is close and costs quite a bit less.
I could certainly tell the parent company behind Noctua were involved. because these guys make some brilliant fans, with the WORST COLOR SCHEMES IVE EVER SEEN ! bright yellow or burgundy. lovely. 🙁
I almost bought this cooler last week, but went for a cheaper one. It seems a very good product. I like the yellow fans also, very dramatic.
Great review thanks
Very good looking heatsink – nice designs from these companies, good products.
excellent quality product as I would have expected. I think I would get this if I could find it on sale anywhere locally. Seems even harder to get here than Noctua products
Those fans are brilliant lookin. never seen bright yellow fans before. need to get a few of those.
Wozzers, didnt know these guys owned Noctua as well. they seem to be a hell of a company releasing some awesome products.