Cybenetics Airflow
Cybenetics Airflow Test evaluates the efficiency of a fan in air delivery (see the Max Airflow section). This test measures the airflow (or air performance) that a fan can provide when operating at a set speed and how well it can move air through the system. The test results allow the classification of fans into levels of Bronze (34 – 38 CFM), Silver (38 – 42 CFM), Gold (42 – 46 CFM), Platinum (46 – 50 CFM), Titanium (50 – 55 CFM), and Diamond (55+ CFM), depending on their ability to provide airflow at a low noise level.
In technical documentation, manufacturers often specify data obtained under laboratory conditions with optimal parameters, such as ideal temperatures and maximum fan speeds. Tests like Cybenetics Airflow are conducted under more stringent and realistic conditions, such as noise restrictions or conditions that mimic real operating conditions, which can lead to differences in the results.
MTBF
The total time that a cooling fan is guaranteed to run before it fails. Note that when this time is exhausted, the device will not necessarily break — many modern fans have a significant margin of safety and are able to work for some more period. At the same time, it is worth evaluating the overall durability of the cooling system according to this parameter.
Noise level
The standard noise level generated by the cooling system during operation. Usually, this paragraph indicates the maximum noise during normal operation, without overloads and other "extreme".
Note that the noise level is indicated in decibels, and this is a non-linear value. So it is easiest to evaluate the actual loudness using comparative tables. Here is a table for values found in modern cooling systems:
20 dB — barely audible sound (quiet whisper of a person at a distance of about 1 m, sound background in an open field outside the city in calm weather);
25 dB — very quiet (normal whisper at a distance of 1 m);
30 dB — quiet (wall clock). It is this noise that, according to sanitary standards, is the maximum allowable for constant sound sources at night (from 23.00 to 07.00). This means that if the computer is planned to sit at night, it is desirable that the volume of the cooling system does not exceed this value.
35 dB — conversation in an undertone, sound background in a quiet library;
40 dB — conversation, relatively quiet, but already in full voice. The maximum permissible noise level for residential premises in the daytime, from 7.00 to 23.00, according to sanitary standards. However, even the noisiest cooling systems usually do not reach this indicator, the maximum for such equipment is about 38 – 39 dB.
