Normalized Noise Tests
For these tests, I set the fan to speeds with noise output at the following predefined levels: 20/25/30/35/40/45 dBA. I skip the corresponding tests if the fan under the test cannot reach some noise levels. The speeds shown in the graph below are measured with the fan in a clear space inside my hemi-anechoic chamber without any obstacles. I set these speeds on the Longwin machine, but they slightly change because of the variable conditions that the device applies.
20 dBA Noise Output
Low airflow, decent static pressure, dead low power consumption which is good!
25 dBA Noise Output
Low airflow and static pressure. Things don’t look so good here, with the only exception being the very low power consumption, which means less heat to the fan’s bearing.
30 dBA Noise Output
At its full speed, where the Arctic fan outputs 30 dBA, it achieves decent airflow and high enough static pressure, which, as you can see, leaves far behind the EK Loop FTP, which was the top performer at max speed. It is natural for a fan rotating at notably higher RPMs to achieve better performance. This is why I conduct the normalized noise fan tests, where every fan outputs the same noise output, so the comparison is more straightforward and fair.
