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120mm fan in 80mm case

G

guynexdoor

Member
After some time reading through the forums here, it was suggested that I get a 120mm fan. I'm a first time builder, and I want to know if I can buy a case that comes with 80mm fans, and then buy 120mm fans to replace it. I'm looking for fans, and my choices shrink dramatically if I narrow it down to cases with 120mm fans. What's the big deal anyway?

Thanks.
 
you cant switch out 80mm fans for 120mm that easily. it may need some modification to mount the 120mm and thats only if space permits.

the advantages of 120mm over 80mm fans are their quietness and ability to move alot of air at the same time

 
Bigger diameter fans move more air at a given rotational speed than do smaller diameter fans, generally. More airflow=better cooling. If your goal is to move x cubic feet of air per minute, a large diameter fan will do it with less noise.

And no, you can't mount a 120mm fan where an 80mm fan belongs...the mounting holes don't line up, and the flow of the air would be partially blocked due to the fact that the grill is 80 mm across, not 120mm across.
 
oh, I understand. So I'm gonna stick with the 120mm fans then. But that quickly narrows my choices for cases. And usually, those 120mm fan cases are a lot more expensive right?
 
Well, you do generally get what you pay for. Quality costs $$$. All hobbies consume resources, mainly time and money.

How much are you willing to spend on a case? Newegg will let you select a case by fan size and $ amount. Check 'em out.
 
ahh, i saw that too. But I have to pay for shipping. Is there always shipping costs with newegg? Antec is a brand name, and I heard the thermaltake is also a good company. What are other names out there that are good?
 
Surface area = pi X radius squared
80 mm 40*40*3.14 =5024mm

120 mm 60*60*3.14 = 11304

One 120mm moves more air than two 80mm fans combined. It rotates at a slower speed so it is quieter.
 
Originally posted by: guynexdoor
ahh, i saw that too. But I have to pay for shipping. Is there always shipping costs with newegg? Antec is a brand name, and I heard the thermaltake is also a good company. What are other names out there that are good?
Click to expand...

Antec IS a good name for cases and power supplies. Thermaltake is not.
My son has a new Thermaltake case with 2-120mm fans and they are LOUD! even at their lowest setting.
I have an aluminum case with 3 80mm Vantec Spectrum and 3 80mm Generic led fans and it is Sooooooo much quieter than the Thermaltake.

So keep in mind a Thermaltake case might be OK, but Thermaltake fans=BAD.

You are probably not gonna be able to get a better deal on "quality" than the Antec above for $60 with power supply. Most generic power supplies are crap. (I have 6 of em sitting in my closet)

I usually expect to pay >$60 for a power supply alone.
 
Originally posted by: jonesthewine
Here's your best deal for $60.00, including power supply..

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-129-150&depa=1
Click to expand...

Wow, i didnt think you could get an antec case WITH an antec power supply for so cheap!

I think this would be the solution for you guynexdoor. Its a sturdy case, and a great place to start. Dont bother with going with anythign cheaper, or else you are bound to be very disappointed. Power supply is the most important part of your computer. If it is shady, then you risk ruining the entire system - and i have seen the damage a cheap psu can do... its not pretty.

Good luck with your build!
 
Originally posted by: laurenlex
Surface area = pi X radius squared
80 mm 40*40*3.14 =5024mm

120 mm 60*60*3.14 = 11304

One 120mm moves more air than two 80mm fans combined. It rotates at a slower speed so it is quieter.
Click to expand...
This is true, one thing to note is that the fan blades do not cover the entier surface area (otherwise you'd have a big round peice of plastic 😉) I used to work on boat motors and tweaking props to get maximum performance, one thing I learned that will help is that the last 10% of each blade does 90% of the total work for that blade. (a larger 3 blade prop typically performes better than a smaller 5 blade prop (or a 3 blade prop with of the same size with narrower blades) when it comes to speed)

When it comes to the 120mm vs 80mm bit, the 120mm fans have over twice as much surface area, and usually have a more defined pitch to the blades themselves, giving them a lot more airflow. (that's why the deeper fans typically move more air, the extra depth gives them more room to get a better pitch on the fan blades)

edit: and tiamat is right. you might be able to find the same case via another vender cheaper tho, but be carefull with customer service, and great product can be ruined quickly with poor customer service.
 
Originally posted by: guynexdoor
What if I bought a cheaper case, and bought an antec power supply?
Click to expand...

You'd end up paying at least as much as the Antec case with Antec power supply, probably more. However, you'd have a disposable power supply sitting around looking pretty on your shelf. 😉

If you are REALLY on a budget (and not just being cheap) you can get an inexpensive case with decent features (lots of drive bays, 120mm fan support) and get a power supply at a later date.

A+GPB/Athena Power Black Mid ATX Tower Case with 400W Power Supply, Model "CA-3688KLB"
$31.50 +15.99 shipping
This case is very basic but has good features. I've used the older version of the beige model for quite a few builds. Note that the Newegg pictures for the black one is the current model and the pictures for the beige one is the older model. Main difference is that the older model supports two 80mm exhaust fans while the newer one supports a 120mm exhaust fan. A friend ordered the beige model recently and it had the 120mm fan mount. The disposable power supply is adequate, but not special. Also important to note that though it supports a 120mm fan it does not come with one. The case is easy to mod for really good airflow by doing two things, #1 cut out the rear fan grill and use a finger guard and #2 use a drill to enlarge the holes at the bottom of the front face.
 
alright, i've been reading and browing about cases, and I stumbled upon the acrylic ones? What is that material like, and does anyone here recommend those see through cases?
 
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