Quietest CPU cooler fan

[Englander]

Hello all,

This is a question regarding CPU cooler fans (if not in the correct section, feel free to move it). The noisiest fan in my system is by far and away the CPU cooler fan (Titan Fenrir, 120mm). I'm looking for the quietest (but reasonably priced) fan and have come across the Noctua NF-S120A. Technically, it's a case fan because it has lower static pressure, but it allegedly runs quieter than the equivalent Noctua heatsink fan. I'm fully prepared to sacrifice performance for volume - my CPU temps are perfectly low enough anyway as I'm just about always Speedstep'ed down to 800MHz. Are there any recommendations for something better than what I've quoted?

Thanks

[spolsh]

The bequiet fans are very good too and probaby worth a look.

[Noxvayl]

I love Noctua and all my fans in my current case are from NF-F12s, along with fans in my father's case. Can't beat a 6 year warranty.

If you are looking for cheaper fans I'd look at Akasa, I have some Viper fans that can be whisper quiet when connected to the CPU fan header.

[Englander]

Good thoughts - I've given those suggestions a Google and they do review very well.

I note that the Noctua comes with a "low noise adapater" - am I correct in my understanding that this limits the RPM and hence limits the noise? I assume that will still play nicely with the PWM CPU header?

[Noxvayl]

It does yes... how it does this is by converting the 12V into 7V so the fan won't go above 1000RPM I believe. Doesn't work too well with low quality fans though, I've tried using mine on some casee fans that come with cases and sometimes they simply wouldn't work.

[Ttaskmaster]

The NF-F12 is only a few dB louder, but has more than double the static pressure.
Noctuas are invariably the best compromise between volume and performance.

[aidanjt]

I have a NF-S12A on the rear of my case since it needs airflow far more than it needs static pressure, since my 2 front and 1 bottom NF-F12's already provide ample positive air pressure. Both are great fans, just tuned differently for different specific needs. The NF-F12 is still a great fan in general though, usable everywhere. Rear fan was more of a 'right tool for the right job' optimisation kinda choice.

[Bonebreaker777]

I am seconding the bequiet fans also.

[Englander]

The NF-F12 is only a few dB louder, but has more than double the static pressure.
Noctuas are invariably the best compromise between volume and performance.

I suppose this is my point, my requirement shifts me towards saving the few dBs at the cost of a few degrees. I'm running at low 20 degrees idling along at 800MHz as it stands anyway.

[Ttaskmaster]

I suppose this is my point, my requirement shifts me towards saving the few dBs at the cost of a few degrees. I'm running at low 20 degrees idling along at 800MHz as it stands anyway.

I tried a S12 when I first went watercooled, but it's just not up to the job with such a low SP. Swapped it for an F12 to match the rest of the system and all was good again!

[Englander]

Goodness I'm indecisive - I'm leanign towards the P12 now (http://noctua.at/en/which_fan_is_right_for_me) as a compromise. Haven't even got round to comparing the be quiet's (but at this rate, I'm about to get one of their PSUs based on their acoustic properties)

[Ttaskmaster]

Thing is, the Mfr's stats are just the fan as is.
What makes the most noise is the airflow, moving through grilles, radiators, heatsinks and bouncing around inside the case... which is why most fans are quiet below 1000rpm anyway.

It really comes down to the characteristics of your individual build.

[ik9000]

Akasa Apache 120mm is also v good - near silent. I run it on a Prolimatech Megahalems cooler and get v little noise - if any. The better your heat-sink (before it needs the fan) the lower the fan has to work anyway. And stick a decent exhaust fan next to it too. Mine benefits from 120mm rear case fan and 200mm fan directly above the CPU too, so lots of heat-away. I found the apache cheaper than the Noctua when I got my system -though that was a long time ago now.

[aidanjt]

I suppose this is my point, my requirement shifts me towards saving the few dBs at the cost of a few degrees. I'm running at low 20 degrees idling along at 800MHz as it stands anyway.

If you want lower noise just have your motherboard lower the RPM. Quiet profiles tend to be very quiet.

[Englander]

If you want lower noise just have your motherboard lower the RPM. Quiet profiles tend to be very quiet.

The lowest speed I could get the old fan down to was 900 RPM via the motherboard fan profiles.

I went for the compromise and got the Noctua NF-P12 PWM and it idles at 250rpm (again just on the motherboard fan profiles) - thus actually making it a silent fan. Recommended.

[aidanjt]

The lowest speed I could get the old fan down to was 900 RPM via the motherboard fan profiles.

I went for the compromise and got the Noctua NF-P12 PWM and it idles at 250rpm (again just on the motherboard fan profiles) - thus actually making it a silent fan. Recommended.

Ah right, my NH-U12S came with a NF-F12 and I get idle speeds around the same, practically inaudible. Brilliant fans.