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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.
We are using a new Extech 407750 sound meter today from a distance of 1 meter. Measuring below 25 dBA is a rather difficult proposition, even in a studio environment.
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 Jing at high fan speeds generates around 36.5dBa of noise, which is relatively quiet at the top of the table, but noticeable in our test room. When we adjust both fans to the lowest settings our meter reads only 30.4 dBa which is a record for our performance cooler testing. While this seems high compared to the 16dBa that Thermaltake quote, we can factor in variables such as testing equipment, ambient conditions and distance.
Ideal for a media system where you can hide it away, but its too big ! good performer, brilliant noise levels, but christ that is buck ugly.
When they brought this out in price release information I couldnt comprehend who thought cream and lime was a good idea. seriously.
The frio kills it, and while i appreciate the noise levels, most people who really care about that extra 5 dba are in the media audience. I dont think many of the hard core media guys use a full size chassis, which is needed to fit this cooler in the first place. I personally think it is a disaster
It isnt a disaster. Its a really good cooler which is thermaltakes way of addressing the frio’s high noise levels. The only problem is somewhere down the line they felt the need to give it a chinese restaurant soy sauce makeover.
I dont hate the looks, it certainly wont be copied anytime soon. Surely this is an issue for a western audience as I am positive the eastern audience will love this. It shows however that thermaltake are not undergoing enough market research. the fact they can release a BMW design level 10 case then this right afterwards shows a strong company disorganisation on the end goal.
It is a good cooler, I like it. But lets hope they relent and make a black version. In fact I think any other color would be better, even luminous pink.
Good well balanced review. I wouldn’t buy this. It looks possible like the worst cooler I have seen.
I do however appauld them for being daring enough to try it. But next time, lets keep it a little more component friendly. That looks out of place in any system.
Fuck me, that is one ugly bitch
Its a chinese design, which is great if they are selling it there. it needed a european remake. This will not sell, even if it beat the noctua NH D14. would you buy it ? I dont think so.!
I would buy it, I like the low noise levels, and I have a side door. If I had a windowed, lit up case not so sure though. When is it out ?
Designed by a chinese dude with a video made by a guy from germany. Full of mistakes, dialogue errors and a design right out of the 1960’s.
If Thermaltake want to get to the next level they need more staff involved from UK and USA. these markets (like us) won’t touch something like this.
Good review though Zardon, covered it well and fairly put together.
Lime and cream are the only colors they are making? WTF?
All cases are black or silver. this looks hideous with either scheme. What a bizarre marketing decision from this company. Such a shame too, as it seems really good.
I like the looks & colour of this cpu cooler i want to have it in my system.
but what i want to know is how well would it cool a i7-980x cpu?