Does choice of radiator affect the noise of a system?

[JonJ678]

There are many performance reviews of different radiators, frequently showing there to be little difference between them. However there are rather fewer articles on the acoustic consequences of the choice made. Silent pc doesn't really do watercooling with great enthusiasm, and xtreme tend to ignore noise. I'm unsure where else to look.

I theorise that the low fin density, thicker versions are the quietest.

Low fin density => less turbulence noise as air moved through, and lower static pressure needed to move air through the radiator. I also suspect shrouds and making the joins airtight improve things.

I'm using 1600rpm scythe s-flex at 12V at present, which though not the recommended favourite are reasonable. Fan choice is obviously the main contributor to noise, the hope is that carefully chosen radiators allow lower fan speed with similar performance.

Also interested in any opinions on push-pull fans for noise reduction. Any thoughts?

 

[JonJ678]

Good website, sadly not so keen on acoustic testing.

It confirms that shrouds are [probably always] good, and that pull tends to give better results with low fan rpm. Push-pull fans are recommended where they can be fitted.

Low pressure drop refers to water pressure, fin density correlates with air pressure drop? This suggests thermochill or feser I believe

Baffle/duct use is a good point and hadn't occurred to me. That's going to take some imagination but I may come up with something.

I take it passive radiators generally need to be rather large, self built objects? Personally I'd rather keep the system self contained for now but definitely see your point that passive radiators will always be quieter than active ones