Case Fan Noises

Ace251091

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May 12, 2014
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I currently own a BitFenix Prodigy and I have replaced the front 120mm stock bitfenix fan with an ultra low noise BeQuiet 120 mm Fan. I am a bit worried though because the specs suggest that since this is a quiet fan it spins at low RPM and doesn't suck enough air in the case. I was thinking of upgrading to a 200mm BitFenix Spectre Pro fan but the decibels suggest it might be very loud.

Current decibel reading for BeQuiet 120mm fan: 9.8 dB(A)
BitFenix Spectre Pro 200mm decibel reading: 27.5 dB(A)

Which way should I go? Also at what point is a fan (front intake fan) considered loud ? I already read that approximately 20 dB(A) is considered pretty good.
 
Solution
I see, usually around 20db and up becomes noticeable (20db being like hearing some whispering), I'd say anything over 30-35db is loud enough to become into a background sound that might be a nuisance for someone who wants a quiet pc.

Ace251091

Reputable
May 12, 2014
231
0
4,760


The thing is I already did. I'm just asking a theoretical question about fan noise? At what dB(A) can they be considered loud? I know that my current fans at 9.8 dB(A) are dead quiet so what about the opposite?
 
I see, usually around 20db and up becomes noticeable (20db being like hearing some whispering), I'd say anything over 30-35db is loud enough to become into a background sound that might be a nuisance for someone who wants a quiet pc.
 
Solution