New Case Fans

[handscombmp]

Looking to buy some new case fans to fit in my CM 690 when i get it (will be getting case at the same time as new fans).
I know it comes with its own fans but i've heard that they're quite noisey some i'm lloking for some quieter ones.
I need three 120mm fans. When i go and look at fans on scan i got overwhelmed by the amount.
Don't really need LED but would like them to pull a fair bit of air but still be quiet.

[staffsMike]

I think the fans in that case are pretty damn good, you just need to move the side one to the bottom as it rattles in its original position.

Try before you buy would be my advice

Noctau are great if you want to fork out £10+ a fan.
Nexus/yate loons are very good at about £4 a pop, need to undervolt them though.

[Koolpc]

+ Noctua. Superbly quiet

[Pob255]

For fan noise a lot depends on the speed.
The fans the cm690 comes with are not too bad, they are a good balance of air flow vs noise.
However there is a problem with the side panel fans, or more improtantly the air vents on the side panel.
I doesn't rattle (in my experience) but it does have a heck of a lot of resonance, ie the air being sucked through the vent creates more noise. If you get the windowed side panel the vent on that does not suffer from the same problem.
The bottom fan position is actually very bad and does little to help the air flow as it clashes with the front fan and haveing two additional fans in the top of the case is better for the overall air flow

If you use a tower cooler in it's normal layout, pointing toward the back of the case, then becareful the top fan closet to the front is not so powerfull that it sucks the air out from a tower cooler fan.

I would consider the Sharkoon 140mm 1200rpm fans for the top of the case
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/140mm...200rpm-27db(A)
For £7 they are pritty good

All told the rpm is often the biggest factor for sound.
1000rpm or less = near slient, but very little air flow
1200rpm ish = low noise
1600rpm ish = lowish noise, but better air flow
2000rpm+ = high air flow & noise

If you're looking for a very quiet system then 1000rpm or less fans, however don't expect much air flow.
1200-1600 rpm is generally best for a good ballance (the cm690 fan are 1200rpm and are not bad as a ballanced low noise fan)
Personally Scythe S-FLEX fans are the single best fans I've ever used but in all honesty I'm not sure they are worth the perimum when you can get simular resaults for half the price.

If you are concerned about sound levels I'd look at getting a fan controller.
Simple low cost ones
3 fans + 2 usb front ports
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/AKASA...2-USB-20-ports

6 fans
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Zalma...Fan-Controller

More fancy and expensive 4 fan controller
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Zalma...ay-Best-Seller

EDIT: If you cannot find the cm690 with the widowed side panel you can get it seperately
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Coole...for-CM690-Case

[Koolpc]

I would buy 3 Noctua fans. Either use them with or without the fan speed reducers. I have tried many fans over the years and i find that the Noctua ones are simply awesome. Got one on my Heatsink and temps are superb and i can't hear it!! Plus i have one on the rear of my case.

[handscombmp]

OK cheers guys.

I think i'll buy the CM 690 and see how bad the fan noise actually is as i've got mixed results if people think it is.