Ok I have finished the CPU tests. I'll have a video with the audio from all the fans once I finish the GPU tests.
I have graphed the following per fan using Audacity and the ACX plugin. All measurements are in dB.
- Idle peak
- Idle average (using RMS)
- Metro peak
- Metro average (RMS)
- Max peak
- Max average (RMS)
My setup is a MXL 770 Cardioid Condenser Microphone (XLR) run into a TASCAM DR-40 with a metal pop filter in front of it. The Mic is positioned about 6 inches from the chassis and level with the CPU fan (chassis is in horizontal orientation). The DR-40 is calibrated at -12dB for voice level, so while you can't hear the fans you can at least get a view on the scale.
What's interesting is that the Phantek sounds great at max, but is actually louder below max. It's not outrageously louder, just 3 dB.
I can't pick a winner (for myself) yet because I haven't finished calculating the effectiveness across the various tests I ran. I expect I'll do those calculations Sunday.