Advise on Case Fans...

[tom.c.3]

Hi there,

I have read various conflicting articles about case fans. Some sites say always go for lots of smaller fans becasue they give more even cooling. However, other sites are telling me to get one big one because it goes slower and therefore generates less noise.
Can someone please enlighten me on which which sort or case I should choose and with which type of fan(s)

Thanks in advance,

Tom

[Whiternoise]

Large fans are, in almost all cases (both figuratively and literally), better.

What you should look for in a fan is the flow rate, how much air the fan can push out per minute. Large fans can push more air out at a slower RPM because their blades are larger, and are thus quieter to operate. Small fans also tend to whine quite a lot when you push them faster.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/80mm-...se-Fan-2050rpm for instance has: "AIRFLOW 25.46 CFM" (cubic feet per minute?)

Now, that was an 80mm fan. A 120 will likely double that airflow and be quieter whilst doing it.

End of the day, it depends on how big your case is - the vast majority of new cases will have 120mm fan fittings so you're going to end up getting them anyway. CPU coolers vary from 60mm to 120mm as do graphics card fans, but they're not a great indicator of noise level. I've got a pair of Noctua 800RPM 120mm's, they're virtually silent and give out more than enough air to cool down my system. Provided your case is tidy (not too many dangly wires everywhere) and the air travels along a good path (normally intake at the front, output at the back/top) you'll be fine.

[handscombmp]

QuietPC's website is always good to chose the fans from as it shows you the airflow and noise compared to the other fans and you can order it which i've always found useful.

On the whole though the big the fan the more air and less noise.

[blueprint]

Having read about Sharkoon fans in CustomPC magazine, I bought one of those. They are the white ones with golf ball style dents on the surface to increase surface area. They are silent and not any more expensive than most mid-premium fans. I think mine was a tenner or so for 120mm.
Just look at the airflow rating on these things!

[GoNz0]

i had a bunch of sharkoon fans, the quiet ones didnt push enough air, the bearings are crap and the dimples attract dust and once off balance the bearings wear and make even more noise, best to avoid.

fluid dynamic bearings are the ones to go for.

[format]

Sharkoons are OK if you are on a budget.

Other than that I'd recommend Nexus fans or if you have the cash, get Noctua.

[GoNz0]

+1 on noctua, thats what i have in my pc, fan speed vs cubic feet per min against db are second to none, but you pay for it with the notched fans blades.

well worth it as they carry a 5 year warranty.

[blueprint]

ummm, not tried those. Might have a look at Noctuas next time I'm looking at fans.

[funke_munke]

Another vote for the Noctuas, although as far as I can remember I paid like £13 a fan! Worth it though, I have two in my case, one slightly faster than the lowest rated ones on my processors heatsink (along with a Noctua heatsink) and the only audible thing in my case is my graphics card.

[TAKTAK]

Yet another vote for noctua, 2 on my HS, 1 for a blow hole, brilliant compared to my Yate loons

[Lourdes]

Have a read over here - http://www.silentpcreview.com/ . Last check the Scythe Slip Streams were the hottest (or rather coolest) about for noise/performance. They've served me well.

[Grymdawg]

Depends what you want to achieve really, if silence is golden to you then go for larger fans.

Its all about the airflow, so make sure your case is pretty tidy and you have decent path for the intake and exhaust fans.

I havent used any Noctua fans so i cant comment, i was thinking of getting a noctua cooler for my i7.

My personal preference are 120mm fans, theyre not to big in the scale of newer large cases and they do the job of cooling wonderfully.

Cheers

[Infinite]

Problem with Noctua is that they are fugly

[Whiternoise]

Yeap, not much you can do about the beige and the brown

[Infinite]

Which tard chose the colour scheme, lol

[jamjamm]

120mm are pretty much the standard in most cases nowadays, maybe a 140mm on a sidepanel

I don't really go for the expensive fans as I find the cheaper ones usually do the trick, saying that I'd recommend the Xilence Redwings, they are pretty damn nice for their price imo.