Measuring the intensity (and power draw) of lighting
We were very excited to see the results of the Grand Tornado 120. It looks good geometrically and is also one of the cheapest LCP models out there. Scythe has also informed us that the Grand Tornado 120 is set to outperform the legendary Gentle Typhoon (D1225C). And it’s true, it does outperform it, though perhaps in different ways than you’d expect. But the LCP fan from Scythe gets along really well with radiators.
Measuring the intensity (and power draw) of lighting
Modern fans often include lighting. This is no longer a “cooling” parameter, but for some users the presence of (A)RGB LEDs is important. Therefore, we also measure how intense this lighting is in our tests. These tests are the only ones that take place externally, outside the wind tunnel.
We record the luminosity of the fans in a chamber with reflective walls. This internal arrangement is important to increase the resolution for us to measure anything at all with lower luminosity fans. But also so that the readings do not blend together and it is obvious which fan is emitting more light and which one less.
The illumination intensity is measured in the horizontal position of the fan, above which is the lux meter sensor (UNI-T UT383S). This is centered on the illumination intensity sensing chamber.
The illumination is controlled via an IR controller and the hue is set to RGB level 255, 255, 255 (white). We record the brightness at maximum and minimum intensity. According to this, you can easily see if the brightness is high enough, but conversely also if the lower level is low enough for you.
In addition to the brightness intensity, we also measure the power draw that it requires. This is again through the shunt, which is between the Gophert CPS-3205 power supply and the (A)RGB LED driver. After this we get a reading of the lighting power draw. In the graphs we show it separately, but also in sum with the motor power draw as the total maximum fan power.
- Contents
- Scythe Grand Tornado 120 in detail
- Overview of specifications from the manufacturer
- Basis of the methodology, the wind tunnel
- Mounting and vibration measurement
- Initial warm-up and speed recording
- Base 6 equal noise levels...
- ... and sound color (frequency characteristic)
- Measurement of static pressure...
- ... and of airflow
- Everything changes with obstacles
- How we measure power draw and motor power
- Measuring the intensity (and power draw) of lighting
- Results: Speed
- Results: Airflow w/o obstacles
- Results: Airflow through a nylon filter
- Results: Airflow through a plastic filter
- Results: Airflow through a hexagonal grille
- Results: Airflow through a thinner radiator
- Results: Airflow through a thicker radiator
- Results: Static pressure w/o obstacles
- Results: Static pressure through a nylon filter
- Results: Static pressure through a plastic filter
- Results: Static pressure through a hexagonal grille
- Results: Static pressure through a thinner radiator
- Results: Static pressure through a thicker radiator
- Results: Static pressure, efficiency depending on orientation
- Reality vs. specifications
- Results: Frequency response of sound w/o obstacles
- Results: Frequency response of sound with a dust filter
- Results: Frequency response of sound with a hexagonal grille
- Results: Frequency response of sound with a radiator
- Results: Vibration, in total (3D vector length)
- Results: Vibration, X-axis
- Results: Vibration, Y-axis
- Results: Vibration, Z-axis
- Results: Power draw (and motor power)
- Results: Cooling performance per watt, airflow
- Results: Cooling performance per watt, static pressure
- Airflow per euro
- Static pressure per euro
- Results: Lighting – LED luminance and power draw
- Results: LED to motor power draw ratio
- Evaluation
DNF at the very high target of 31dB(A) means it isn’t cheap, it means no matter the price it’s too expensive
additionally knowing it starts at around 680RPM and it still doesn’t pass that target means it’s just bad acoustically
it may find a niche, people are frequently mentioning this or that dethroning Noctua while the performance is only slightly higher at one very specific and extremely high noise target so at some point it may be a decent option, but I just wouldn’t bother, no reason to stand that noise when I can just set A12x25 a tiny bit below this ones starting speed and have it perform better and stay silent
This is subjective. It depends on who is looking for what. If the priority is the highest possible airflow regardless of noise level, while also weighing low vibration or extra durability, then the Grand Tornado 120 can be a great choice. In the context of that potentially high durability (if Scythe doesn’t exaggerate the MTBF value…), we also discussed the server concept of the Scythe Grand Tornado 120 fan in the discussion below the text in another language…
for separate-room-home-server I’d likely go with Noctua PPC or T30 (or NH-P1 due to superior reliability if the heat load was lower, though AC has the advantage of providing a decent heatsink that will prevent your system from shutting down even if fans stop, LC on the other hand…), for regular server room with regular server fans like Delta
for living/working space silence is a requirement impossible to give up on so the silent performance is all that matters
I really love its name (GT), indicating the intention for it to succeed Gentle Typhoon. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s worthy of that title. Even if the argument is that it’s better in peak performance, remember there’s the GT-HI (https://www.e-jpc.com/wp-content/uploads/gentle-typhoon-d1225cen-2.pdf) that goes up to 5400 RPM!