# HL15 -- Cant Decide

**URL:** <https://forum.45homelab.com/t/hl15-cant-decide/3091>\
**Category:** General\
**Tags:** chassis, help-and-suggestions\
**Created:** [March 1, 2025, 2:53am UTC](https://forum.45homelab.com/t/hl15-cant-decide/3091 "2025-03-01T02:53:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 8

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**Author:** ![DigitalGarden](https://forum.45homelab.com/user_avatar/forum.45homelab.com/digitalgarden/32/1785_2.png) [@DigitalGarden](https://forum.45homelab.com/u/DigitalGarden)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 1:18pm UTC](https://forum.45homelab.com/t/hl15-cant-decide/3091/8 "2025-03-03T13:18:39Z")

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> [@iownyrface](#):
>
> It’s 60db with stock and 50 with noctua ?

I don’t much trust dB measurements as there aren’t rigorous standards for measurement distance and other test conditions. 45HL tried to justify the Noctua upgrade:

> **[The HL15 Homelab Server Goes Shhhhh with New Noctua Kit](https://www.storagereview.com/review/the-hl15-homelab-server-goes-shhhhh-with-new-noctua-kit)**
>
> 45Drives listened to the feedback regarding the excessive noise from the fans in the…

But there are some questions about the test results that never got answered, particularly around CFM:

> [@Exciting Update - Noctua Fan Kit Available for Purchase!](https://forum.45homelab.com/t/exciting-update-noctua-fan-kit-available-for-purchase/1478):
>
> Hey Everyone, I am excited to let you know that the Noctua fans are now available on our store. Using Noctua fans can significantly reduce the noise level of your HL15.You can upgrade the unit with Noctua while purchasing a [HL15](https://store.45homelab.com/configure/hl15) or you can purchase a [Noctua fan kit](https://store.45homelab.com/products/138) to retrofit your HL15. Here is a YouTube video explaining some of the details of our Noctua partnership - [https://youtu.be/u18ZOGh6DD4](https://youtu.be/u18ZOGh6DD4) You can also check out this article from Storage Review about the new fan upgrades - [The HL15 Ho…](https://www.storagereview.com/review/the-hl15-homelab-server-goes-shhhhh-with-new-noctua-kit)

The real thing one needs to know isn’t dB/RPM, it is dB/CFM. How much noise is generated in order to move a certain amount of hot air out of the case.

I don’t question the Noctua upgrade for the full build; that needs to be done because of the stupid 2-pin wiring setup. I’m less convinced for custom builds with motherboards that will take DC fans. Although, PWM fans probably give you finer control over the fan curve than DC fans.

If your noise floor is already high I guess it’s not an issue. I thought from the LPs and turntable you might be more sensitive to these acoustics.

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