80mm case fan

[Premium]

My two 99p ebuyer ones died last night oh well, they did the job well for the equivalent of a pint, but were kind of loud at idle.
Ordering a new TV from scan this weekend, so I thought might as well get a replacement fan at the same time.

My current choices are between the Sharkoon 2000:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=290840

And the Akasa amber fan:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=154680

I'm looking for best airflow but minimal noise, both from the motor and vibrations and these two seem to be the best for under £5.

[this_is_gav]

Had some Ambers a few years back, and while I wouldn't say anything bad against them, I'd take the Sharkoon 2000s over them. Got some in my case at the moment, and I can't hear them over my Seasonic PSU (which are generally accepted as being extremely quiet for their performance).

[Pob255]

If you have an old PSU kicking about anyware, I've found them a great source for quite 80mm fans.
But yes the sharkoon, although the amber is ok.

[amjedm]

I bought a Coolermaster 80mm Blue LED one from Scan and was so impressed, I bought another one.

Well actually, second time round I bought a Sharkoon 2000 and a Coolermaster Blue LED. The Sharkoon was twice the price and was noisier (bearing/motor noise) so I returned it.

[Koolpc]

Noctua are really good too

[amjedm]

Noctua are really good too

I think you can get 4 Coolermaster 80mm fans for the same price?

[Koolpc]

I think you can get 4 Coolermaster 80mm fans for the same price?

Maybe but not as quiet etc.

[Biscuit]

another vote for sharkoons

[Thorsson]

Anything running over 1400rpm is going to make some discernible noise unless you have a noisy ambient already. And that means all 80mm fans AFAIK. Often manufacturers claim performance (airflow) and noise that is far removed from real life.

The Akasa Amber runs at 1800rpm. It should be fairly quiet, but not 20dB as claimed. The Coolermaster LED runs at the same speed, and claims 22dB. These are both very cheap fans, and the second has an LED.

The Sharkoon 2000 runs at 2000rpm and claims 17.8dB. I don't believe that either. I do have a 120mm Sharkoon 1000 and that is very quiet. But the 80mm version of this possibly won't move much air.

Noctua claims similar performance at 1800rpm, but their 120mm fan at 1200rpm isn't as quiet as my Sharkoon - in my case. I think that some fans are just (relatively) noisier in some cases than others.

I'd probably try 3 different kinds and then change over to the best at a later date.

[Biscuit]

The Sharkoon 2000 runs at 2000rpm and claims 17.8dB. I don't believe that either. I do have a 120mm Sharkoon 1000 and that is very quiet. But the 80mm version of this possibly won't move much air.

the 1000rpm version doesnt but the 2000rpm version does. The 1000rpm 120mm is only just quieter than the 2000rpm 80mm one. I think sharkoon are one company that doesnt really lie all that much.

[Mossy]

Both are good and also the coolermaster, its your choice :-)

[Sprite]

Nexus fans ? Some of the best, check out SPCR for some reviews on fans etc

[amjedm]

Maybe but not as quiet etc.

I've not tried a Noctua but IMO the Coolermaster will be just as good undervolted.

Plus the issues with fan design/QC issues I've read about the Noctua on SPCR.

[Koolpc]

Got 2 x Noctua and no issues with design / qc. Superb fans

Another excellent make is Northq. Used those and again really quiet.

[amjedm]

Another excellent make is Northq. Used those and again really quiet.

Now we'll agree ,

If I wanted some more quiet fans I would buy NorthQ - very impressed with the 120mm NCB. I compared this to Orange Nexus', Silent Eagle 1000 and GlobalWin NCB fans.

[Pob255]

Well as has been pointed out by Thorsson it's mainly the speed that determins the noise and air flow.
Although the fan blade shape and balance do effect it. But unless it's really bad it doesn't effect it a great deal.