How Loud is 40 dBA?

[timarp000]

Im planning to buy the Cooler Master TPC 812 but its rated as 40 dBA. Can anyone compare 40 dBA to another home appliance?

 

[Haserath]

This should put it in perspective:
http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-radeon-hd-7970-review/10

Jet takeoff (200 feet) 120 dBA
Construction Site 110 dBA Intolerable
Shout (5 feet) 100 dBA
Heavy truck (50 feet) 90 dBA Very noisy
Urban street 80 dBA
Automobile interior 70 dBA Noisy
Normal conversation (3 feet) 60 dBA
Office, classroom 50 dBA Moderate
Living room 40 dBA
Bedroom at night 30 dBA Quiet
Broadcast sstudio 20 dBA
Rustling leaves 10 dBA Barely audible

Edit: It's difficult to really compare it to anything, because even if I said it's about as loud as a running fridge, your fridge could be quieter or louder than mine. I have two fans that on low settings one is like a jet taking off and the other is whisper quiet.

40dBA isn't loud by any means. You'll be able to hear it throughout a very quiet room. If you have anything you're listening to, it will get drowned out pretty easily. Some people couldn't sleep near it though.

 

[timarp000]

This should put it in perspective:
http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-radeon-hd-7970-review/10

Jet takeoff (200 feet) 120 dBA
Construction Site 110 dBA Intolerable
Shout (5 feet) 100 dBA
Heavy truck (50 feet) 90 dBA Very noisy
Urban street 80 dBA
Automobile interior 70 dBA Noisy
Normal conversation (3 feet) 60 dBA
Office, classroom 50 dBA Moderate
Living room 40 dBA
Bedroom at night 30 dBA Quiet
Broadcast sstudio 20 dBA
Rustling leaves 10 dBA Barely audible

The noise in a living room can differ from time to time and house to house, so it doesnt really help 😛

 

[amuffin]

40DB at MAX, really your fan shouldn't be running that fast.

 

[4Ryan6]

If you'll click my sig link to the cooling fan roundup and scroll down to the noise testing, you may gain more insight.

From my own experience any fans over 30dba solid running can become irritating over long term exposure, but for most of us the raw cooling comes from those in the 40dba range which are definitely irritating long term.

Most planning on using fans that powerful use fan controllers for max airflow for gaming and to lessen the noise when high power cooling is not needed like for web surfing and such as that.

If you need a heat sink cooler that runs in the 40dba range I strongly suggest getting a fan controller for the best of both worlds, powerful cooling and quiet when needed.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I find it easier to compare this way...each 3 dBA is a doubling of sound pressure level. So 40 dBA is twice as loud as 37 dBA and 4 times as load as 34 dBA

I'd suggest the 612 (9 - 36 dBA) and a damn fine performer for $50

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103106

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=797&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=4

Want the best thermal performance and quiet (13 - 19 dBA) for just $14 more ($80 after promo discount) than the one ya picked ?
20 off with promo code "Phanteks3572", ends 6/18

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709002
http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/phanteks_ph_tc14pe_cpu_cooler_review,14.html

 

[timarp000]

Best answer selected by timarp000.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey