Noise confusion

[Carousel]

I have been doing some research on fan selection to choose the best performance to noise. I have noticed that in your tests it seems your noise levels are higher then manufacturers, notably your test of the MC-462-A the Delta fan was screaming at 74dba and manufacturer lists 48.5dba. this would be great if you tested every fan, but I realize you can not. I am planning an upgrade to a 120mm fan on my MC-462-A but am at a loss should I just use manufacturers numbers against manufacturers numbers as an apples to apples comparison?

Thanks

[cjtune]

I'm not sure how standardized (or honest) the manufacturer's measurements are but to be really sure you gotta test them first before you buy. Cut off a (female) 4-pin connector and/or a 3-pin Molex to 4-pin connector convertor, and connect them to a 12V AC/DC adaptor (get at least a 800mA rated one). Bring it along when shopping for fans at stores and have the salesperson let you try it out! A bit silly but either that or trust the given dB ratings.

[Thelemac]

Well, the manufacturer's ratings are done for the fan itself...just the fan in a soundproof box (something like that, anyway)...the actual levels are higher cause it echoes, resonates, vibrates and adds to all of the other noise in the case. I generally compare the manufacturers' ratings with the thought that the 60mm 38cfm is loud, and that a larger fan at the same rating as a smaller one isn't going to be quite as loud sounding (due to lower pitch)...

My 2¢...