Noise Levels and Fan Speeds

Testing Procedure

Fan noise testing is done at 25%, 50%, and 100% fan speed, with the dBA level being recorded by a Pyle PSPL25 sound pressure level meter at a distance of 30 cm. The fan(s) RPM results are taken at the same 25%, 50%, and 100% settings. The selected speeds are handled by MSI's Command Center software, and a Lamptron FC6 fan controller is also used as a secondary method of confirming RPM and dBA readings in case MSI's Command Center cannot control the fan(s), which ensures that proper results can still be obtained if the software fails. To give users the noise profile of the tested CPU cooler, testing is done using fan speed percentages instead of various load levels.

Noise Levels

Overall, Deepcool's Gamer Storm Maelstrom 120's noise profile is acceptable, with 51 dBA once the fan has been set to 100%. Hovering at around 40 dBA with typical loads, the cooler should also remain relatively quiet.

Fan Speeds

RPM readings reinforce the noise levels I recorded during testing. The fan's low maximum RPM translates into less noise produced; however, it also makes performance suffer. This is an issue all AIOs face since acceptable noise levels generally translate into lower performance.