The SilverStone Permafrost PF120, PF240, and PF360 ARGB AIO Coolers Review
by E. Fylladitakis on June 17, 2020 10:00 AM ESTThermal Resistance VS Sound Pressure Level
During our thermal resistance vs. sound pressure level test, we maintain a steady 100W thermal load and assess the overall performance of the coolers by taking multiple temperature and sound pressure level readings within the operating range of the stock cooling fans. The result is a graph that depicts the absolute thermal resistance of the cooler in comparison to the noise generated. For both the sound pressure level and absolute thermal resistance readings, lower figures are better.
In these graphs, we can see where SilverStone’s new Permafrost coolers really stand out. Although the PF 240 and PF 360 do not break any thermal performance records directly, it can be seen that they can offer the same level of thermal performance at a significantly lower level of noise. The PF 360 in particular is almost unaffected by the speed of its fans while these spin above 1200 RPM, with any increase in speed resulting in minuscule thermal performance gains, meaning that the massive cooler can retain most of its performance even if its fans are rotating at half speed. The PF 120 is very different compared to its larger siblings, being unable to match them in terms of performance no matter how quickly the single 120 mm fan spins, but it also cannot ever get too loud, maxing just above 36 dB(A) with the fan at maximum speed.
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PeachNCream - Saturday, June 20, 2020 - link
Calling someone a troll when there is no trolling happening is usually one of the last lines of defense by means of attack a person with a computer tech interest and insecurities about said interest makes in order to invalidate information they do not want to accept. Usually someone in that mindset also ends up posting prices of their computer hardware eventually in order to cloak a bragging session about what they spent as a portion of some reasonable (to them at least) way of explaining something. I see you've done that second part as well, Mister Skywalker.BenSkywalker - Saturday, June 20, 2020 - link
I'm going to go into a discussion about a water cooler to trash water coolers and that isn't trolling...? If this were an air cooler you would have a point, but alas.I was accused of trying to justify my purchase, the point of listing prices is simple- there is *ZERO* justification for any of it and more importantly, I don't need to justify anything to anyone excerpt the wife.
Last line of defense?
Water is cooler, water is quieter.
Facts.
Dug - Tuesday, June 23, 2020 - link
What you don't understand about sound is that decibels are not the deciding factor for most people on whether they care about the noise. It's the frequency and vibration. And pumps are some of the worst for annoying people. Just like a mosquito isn't loud, but it is annoying. That is why you will see so many threads about pump noise, even if fan noise was higher in decibles on their system. To say that pumps are quieter than slow moving fans is fanboyism at it's best. There is no possible way due to how fast a pump spins with water running through it.BenSkywalker - Tuesday, June 23, 2020 - link
Citing hard data is "fanboyism".....?You saying pump noise is on a frequency you find more annoying is one thing, louder is a hard data figure and the numbers say I'm right.
I can only assume those complaining about pump noise are basing it off of some custom loop using a junk aquarium pump from years ago.
Also, you do realize that modern AIOs have variable pump speed, right? I'd assume most of them even let you adjust the ramping(the ones I've used do).
BenSkywalker - Friday, June 19, 2020 - link
My radiator and all its accompanying fans are behind the tray my motherboard is mounted to. Pump noise is some interesting FUD I hear from the never so much as seen a water cooled setup in my life crowd, but the fans are *much* louder than the pump in every setup I have ever seen, they pale in comparison to the noise created by air cooling.So, show me an air cooled setup where I can mount the tower remotely so I can have a clean appearance? You up to it?
Justifying the expense....? So it isn't the $300 I spent on a case, the extra $100 I spent for Royal RAM over regular RAM, it isn't the $1300 I dropped on a 4k/120HZ GSync monitor or the $1300 graphics card, it isn't the $500 I spent on my DAC/Amp/Cans or the $250 I spent on my mouse and keyboard, no, what I need to justify is the extra $75 for a water cooler over air.......
We have a frivolous hobby. As much as I spent building what most people think is an insanely over the top setup, it still cost quite a bit less than my buddies rims he just bought, or a couple of days vacation time with the family, he'll the gap between air and water is a small Friday night bar tab.
Beaver M. - Saturday, June 20, 2020 - link
Water is FAR noisier.I dont hear my D15 at all. AT ALL.
I could still increase its RPM if needed, or add another fan (only running 1) and still be far more silent than any water system Ive ever heard.
BenSkywalker - Saturday, June 20, 2020 - link
Sound measurements are done, articles linked. For the same level of cooling water is quieter. That doesn't mean you can't build a quiet air setup, it just means at the same noise level water would run cooler.Beaver M. - Wednesday, June 24, 2020 - link
Where are you putting your microphones then?The pump or the radiator fans? Huge difference.
You cant reach the cooling custom water has with air coolers, no matter what. So such a comparison is nonsense in either way.
Only AIOs are comparable. And they are FAR noisier than air.
BenSkywalker - Wednesday, June 24, 2020 - link
I linked to air, this article has AIO numbers, air is louder. It's a safe bet all of using water have a lot of experience with air.Mic is normally placed roughly one meter away although it varies based on the person testing it is almost always noted.
AIOs are quieter than air.
JimRamK - Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - link
If you're using an SFF PC, a CLC or other liquid cooler may be the only way to get excellent cooling since the best air coolers are fairly tall and need a full sized case.