How does fan noise stack?

[AZReDWiNG]

I realize that the decibel system is logarithmic. If I have, let's say, three fans, each with a db(A) rating of 30, what would be the total db rating? Is there any formula one could use to determine that?

 

[Operandi]

Each additional source adds 3dbA; so you would be looking at 36dbA total.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Operandi
Each additional source adds 3dbA; so you would be looking at 36dbA total.

Wrong. You'd be looking at UP TO 34.77 combined dB.

 

[Yoshi911]

OMG Howard, I hate people like you... that is pathetic... If you wanna be right (whitch obviously is your life passion), at least be nice about it

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: Operandi
Each additional source adds 3dbA; so you would be looking at 36dbA total.

Wrong. You'd be looking at UP TO 34.77 combined dB.

Right, you would need 4 sources to reach 36dBA.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Yoshi911
OMG Howard, I hate people like you... that is pathetic... If you wanna be right (whitch obviously is your life passion), at least be nice about it

Sorry if life isn't treating you right, pal.

If it makes you feel any better, Operandi, I wasn't being malicious when I responded to your post. I just wanted to make sure that the OP knew it wasn't the right answer.

I saw on the SPCR forums that the sound level of certain fans did not double up (+3dB) when two fans were used instead of one (some pairs were +1dB, IIRC). That's why I said "up to" 34.77dB.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: Yoshi911
OMG Howard, I hate people like you... that is pathetic... If you wanna be right (whitch obviously is your life passion), at least be nice about it

Sorry if life isn't treating you right, pal.

If it makes you feel any better, Operandi, I wasn't being malicious when I responded to your post. I just wanted to make sure that the OP knew it wasn't the right answer.

I saw on the SPCR forums that the sound level of certain fans did not double up (+3dB) when two fans were used instead of one (some pairs were +1dB, IIRC). That's why I said "up to" 34.77dB.

No offense taken.

I think we were looking at the same thread. Bottom line is its gets pretty hard to measure down to the low 20dBA range without very good equipment and very low noise floors.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: Yoshi911
OMG Howard, I hate people like you... that is pathetic... If you wanna be right (whitch obviously is your life passion), at least be nice about it

You learn fast Yoshi...Call'em as you see'em :laugh:

OP, if you go to http://www.silentpcreview.com/ all kinds of fan spec it listed.

Thank goodness most that post here aren't as concerned about 25dBA vs 26dBA


...Galvanized

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee

Originally posted by: Yoshi911
OMG Howard, I hate people like you... that is pathetic... If you wanna be right (whitch obviously is your life passion), at least be nice about it

You learn fast Yoshi...Call'em as you see'em :laugh:

OP, if you go to http://www.silentpcreview.com/ all kinds of fan spec it listed.

Thank goodness most that post here aren't as concerned about 25dBA vs 26dBA


...Galvanized

Yeah, as I recall, you called me out for pulling comments out of my ass and failed to reappear in the thread when I asked you to back up your claims.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=37&threadid=1792922&enterthread=y

EDIT: If I can remedy a common misconception, why shouldn't I? According to Operandi's logic, 10 extra fans would be 30 extra dB, which may end up being loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage... but we all know that 11 [typical] fans can't do that, right?

 

[Yoshi911]

yeah sry bout the harsh words, jst been dealing w/ somone anal like that IRL and he about has me jumpin off a cliff

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Yoshi911
yeah sry bout the harsh words, jst been dealing w/ somone anal like that IRL and he about has me jumpin off a cliff

All water under the bridge, my friend.