Noise/Performance @ 5v

Subjective noise rating where I placed my ear next to the fan: more “+” means louder and more irritating motor noise

	CPU	RPM	dBA	Subject Noise Rating	Sound Sample	Comments
Aerocool Turbine 1000	80+	-	34	++		Does not start
Coolermaster ALU AAF-B12-E1	80+	-	37.7	++++		does not restart when blocked
Coolermaster Ultra Silent SAF-S12-E1	80+	-	34	+		Does not start
Nexus D12SL-12 (black/white)	80+	-	34	++		Does not start
Scythe S-FLEX SFF21D	80+	-	34	+		Does not start
Spire FD12025C1E3	80+	-	34.5	++		Does not restart when blocked
Scythe S-FLEX SFF21E	80+	-	34.5	+
Coolermaster LED Silent TLF-S12	80+	-	35.1	++
Papst 4412 F/2GLL	63.5	-	34	+
Coolink SWiF-1201	63	-	35.3	+
GlobalWin 1202512L	57	-	34	++		Does not restart when blocked
Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F	56	-	35.1	+
AcoustiFan AFDP-12025	55	675	35.1	++
Arctic Fan 12	52	807	35.3	+++
AC Ryan Blackfire4	49.5	902	38	++++
mCubed X12	49	835	35.1	+
AcoustiFan AF120C	48.5	893	36.7	+++

About half of the fans are not suited for CPU cooling at 5v, 7 of them even refuse to start or are unable to restart when blocked due to the lack of power. The Papst and GlobalWin both register noise levels equal to ambient but as you can see from the temperature results the GlobalWin pushes a lot more air. Of all the Scythe fans only the “F” version is able to keep CPU temperatures down, and offers a performance/noise balance equal to the AcoustiFan Dustproof. The Arctic Fan makes a good showing but subjective noise tests revealed that the motor noise is quite noticeable at 5v. The mCubed X12 takes the lead in the test, offering very good performance at only +1dBA over ambient.

Let’s roundup all the results on the last page ->