How much noise is noisy (cpu cooler-wise)

[Buggeroo]

I am putting together a new comp and was just wondering if anyone had any oppinions on the db level of a cpu cooler.

What range would be acceptable?
The cooler I am currently thinking to buy is at 38dBa, is this loud or just average?

Any comments will be appreciated

/Greg

 

[paparazi]

Thats approaching load, below 34db is usually OK!
But more importantly is the type of noise!!
Fast 60mm fans such as Delta's tend to produce a very annoying high pitch wine!
Generally the bigger fans make a lower tone which is easier to live with.
That is why I recommend extra case fans (80mm's)
that produce noise but of a type that is bareable, then go for a good heatsink with a medium 60mm fan, between 25-32cfm that shouldn't produce the annoying high pitch you don't want.
Some coolers get around this problem by fitting a step down mount and an 80mm fan (like the Volcano 7)
Just trying to help, sometimes falling short, I am only human after all.

 

[JonathanB]

The best gage is us, the user's hearing. Instrument measurements are only indications but our individual hearing is subjective (unless of course the noise is really unbearable). If you really need a supercool and the fans are noisy, place your PC farther away or below the user, not in front.

 

[Pattons]

Buggeroo, Jonathan definitely has the right of it. Sometimes it's not actually the level of the noise, but the actual noise itself. You mention that the fan runs at 38Dba, which is pretty quiet. Normal conversations range from 40 to 60 Dba, but they're not usually that annoying(depending on company I suppose). So, if you can fit a larger size fan in the case, I'd go with that, it might be louder, but the pitch of it whirring won't be so piercing.