How loud is 28dB?

[sundev]

I know 30dB is 10 times louder than 20dB, but what's the difference between say 27 and 28, or 28 and 30?

This is just curiosity, but also because I'm looking for case/cpu fans and those are the most common dB ratings I see.

 

[cmdrmoocow]

Don't worry. It's only about THIS much louder.

 

[neutralizer]

use logs.

 

[PurdueRy]

dB is a relative scale. It really can't be judged unless the standard point is known. But yes for CPU fan measurements, stay under 33 or so and you will be ok if you want it fairly quiet

 

[thomsbrain]

they generally say 3 db is a perceptual change of double the volume. i wouldn't worry about anything that's 28 db, though. that's really quiet.

 

[Colt45]

yeah, +/-3dB is double/half the power

 

[tikwanleap]

Decibels (dB) are on the log scale.

http://freespace.virgin.net/mark.davidson3/decibel/decibel.html

N = 10 log(2) = 3.01dB

+3.01dB is double the intensity.


Also:

N = 10 log(10) = 10dB

+10dB is 10 times the intensity.


So to address your question, let's see what every 1dB means.

1dB = 10 log(x)
1/10 = log(x)
10 ^ (1/10) = x

x ~ 1.26

so every 1dB increase is an increase of ~1.26 times the intensity.

 

[sundev]

Thanks for the in-depth response tikwan!

 

[tikwanleap]

no prob. I like solving nerd math problems when I'm bored.

 

[ArmenK]

Originally posted by: tikwanleap
no prob. I like solving nerd math problems when I'm bored.

boot to the head

 

[tikwanleap]

Originally posted by: ArmenK

Originally posted by: tikwanleap
no prob. I like solving nerd math problems when I'm bored.

boot to the head

you missed.