Preliminary Test:

First measurement with “Enhance Cooling” after “System Off “noise level at ~3" away at 36.6 dBA ambient sound level.



Second, idle measurement.



Third, using a heat gun to bring up the operating temperature to obtain higher fan speed and noise if any. The increase is minimal to be within the measurement error.



I was unaware that the fan keeps running 3 minutes after shut down feature and was wondering why the fan turns when I power up the unit without the jumper wire installed. So, don't think your brand new Kamariki is at fault.



Note:
1) I was unable to raise the S12 fan speed using a hair dryer; knowing that the highest fan speed was ~1,100 rpm with which I could not isolate the sound level from the rest of the system; ~600rpm at idle .
2) Although the Win550 reached 55 dBA using a hair dryer, it does not represent the same will occur under normal operation.
3) The Ace-480 has 2x 80mm fans both run at constant speed.

There will always be difference in "opinion or tolerance" on sound level depending on our living environment; health condition; and number of children in the household :). A few dBA above the white noise level in my household is acceptable for my PC to hum along.

With attention given to power factor lately, I have included power consumption (using Seasonic PowerAngel) to record wattage used from the "wall socket", running 2 threads Prime95 and 3DMark01.





Power Consumption may not be what PC enthusiasts are after. Who cares about high mileage car when you are after 0-62 mph in less than 5 seconds :)

Please check out our previously reviewed Seasonic S12 500 and HEC Win 550, OCZ 420 PowerStream was used for reference. HEC Ace-480 detail will be released shortly.