Replacing Fans.

[Gooner5]

I currently have an Antec Sonata 3 case, and I was wondering is it possible to replace the default Antec Tricool fan with a quieter one such as this one.

[Webby]

Simple answer is yes.

Longer answer is Yes but maybe you could consider a different fan maybe a nice Scythe S-Flex E or one of the Thermalright FDB offerings. You can even go with a lower speed fan 1000rpm to get it even quieter if you so desire however I would normally go with a slightly faster fan say 1600rpm and then use a fan controller to slow it down to a level you are happy with the noise.

[Pob255]

I'm currently replacing the fans in my Antec p180 as thoes tri-cool fans are not great.
I've picked up some Sliverstone FN121 for £5 each
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/120mm...se-Fan-1200rpm
Now they are molex only not 3pin (I'm currently rewireing them onto 3pin plugs), they are slightly more noisey than the tri-cool on low but move about as much air as the tri-cool on high.
If you swap he pins in the molex plug over so it's running at 5v (swap the yellow and red) then they are very quiet, but the amount of air they move is greatly reduced.

Which is the basic trade off you will have with all fans, slow speed = low noise = low air flow.
Although some fans are better than others and mke less noise or push less air.

The S-FLEX 1200rpm webby linked to is very good, probably the best air flow/noise ballance of the S-FLEX fans. the 900rpm is near slient but just doesn't move enough air.
the 1600rpm move quite a bit of air but is not slient.

[s3ds]

i use these
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/120mm...Retail-Package
with either a speed controller or a 7 volt mod
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asete...otherboard-Kit
http://www.techpowerup.com/printarticle.php?id=137

[Gooner5]

So If I go for the Scythe S-FLEX 120mm 1200 would it still work with the fan control thing that is connected to the Antec Tricool fan or would that have to come out.

[Hawker1986]

The fan control bit on the tri cools comes with them, so no you cant use it with the S-flex's, personally though on low the noise from the tri-cools is basically nothing, atleast in my P182. That said I also have some S-flex fans in there (1600rpm) and theyre totally silent running full throttle, so I would definately recommend them if your not happy with the tri-cools.

Hawker

[Gooner5]

So basically either the fan controller s3ds linked to, or this one will do. Would this resistor be OK as well for reducing the voltages

[freddie]

isnt the fan with the case quiet at its low setting?

if so maybe you can add an additional fan instead of replacing it?

[Gooner5]

It is fairly quiet, Although I would prefer it to be quieter. Can you replace the fan on this for a quieter one?

[Nelsaidi]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/120mm...ontrol-Notches)
Would be a better fan, but, unless you need extreme cooling and very silence, a cheaper fan woul do good too.

And lol gooner, thats silent at 100% for me!

[format]

It is fairly quiet, Although I would prefer it to be quieter. Can you replace the fan on this for a quieter one?

I think it can be done, (it's a 92mm IIRC) but it is tricky due to the way that the fan mounts.
You'd have to remove the plastic frame altogether then buy some wire clips for the new fan.

[Pob255]

The problem with the tri-cool's is that they really don't move much air on low.

Here's the resualts of my simple testing btw
http://forums.hexus.net/chassis-syst...ml#post1640291

EDIT:

So basically either the fan controller s3ds linked to, or this one will do. Would this resistor be OK as well for reducing the voltages

Yes it will be fine (ps thoes are the ones that come with Zalman fans)
Scan have got a simular one from Sharkoon hidden some place, but only 12v to 9.5v
And fan controller or resistor not both (on the same fan anyway)
Again I'd not bother with that zamlan fan controller for the simple reason that it's internal so you'd have to open your case evey time you want to adjust a fan.
Although the same goes for the resitors, but they are more a "use it or not" not really adjustable.

Oh and neather would work on tri-cools as they are 4pin molex not 3pin.

[Gooner5]

The problem with the tri-cool's is that they really don't move much air on low.

Thats also another reason why I want to replace the tricool fan as you can get fans that move more air at a higher speed whilst making less noise than the tricool. Particularly the fans ones linked to by Nelsaidi and Webby.

[Webby]

Really the best way to tailor your fan experience is to buy decent quality (doesn't need to be expensive) fans with an rpm thats a bit higher than you expect to need if your looking for silence then I wouldn't look at any fan greater than 1600rpm (apart from maybe the Zalman ZM-F3 which has the strange ability of not making much more noise between 1600 and 2000 rpm) and probably would stay closer to 1400rpm and then get a fan controller and have a play around to get to the point you are happy with noise wise if your temps are still all right for you then your done, if your temps are too high then you need to turn the fans up when doing strenuous tasks.

[Nelsaidi]

Bear in mind a quiet fan will be louder, my zm-3's are very silent outside my case at 100%!, bbut when i put them in, they are loud, the air moving through the grill causes turbulence and sound. So, more air will be more sound to some extent.

[Stinga]

Thats also another reason why I want to replace the tricool fan as you can get fans that move more air at a higher speed whilst making less noise than the tricool. Particularly the fans ones linked to by Nelsaidi and Webby.

I've had Tri-Cool fans and they are terrible on low speeds so i ended up replacing them.