Advantages of fatter 38mm fans vs 25mm
- Thread starter swtethan
- Start date
More air for the same RPMs. 120x25mm fan really has to move to crank over 100CFM, not so hard for 120x38mm fan. The thick fans won't fit in some case locations so be sure before buying. Among 120x38 fans are some of the best fans ever made, period. All Panaflo 120s were 38mm (not sure if they still are since NMB bought the Panaflo division), and the Sanyo Denki I use.
.bh.
.bh.
Like he said.
38mm fans will push far more air than their counterpart(25mm fans). This is why most servers have 38mm fans. They can push far more air, but with more air comes more noise.
38mm fans will push far more air than their counterpart(25mm fans). This is why most servers have 38mm fans. They can push far more air, but with more air comes more noise.
BonzaiDuck
Lifer
- Jun 30, 2004
- 15,013
- 1,087
- 126
The 38mm fans push more air, usually have beefier motors, and show a higher air-pressure at the exhaust side.
All of these things make them a better choice, barring the fact that they never come with integrated LED lights.
The beefier motor often is capable of higher rpms, and gets rated for noise in the unacceptable range above 50 dBA. Consider, though, that often -- with a better quality motor -- this noise may be due exclusively to "top-end air-turbulence." But you aren't going to need to run it at the "top-end." And with an occasional exception (like the Vantec "Tornado"), these types of fans are as quiet as a Scythe or Yate-Loon running at comparable speeds. The difference arises when you can program a fan-controller or motherboard to rev the beefy fan up a tad as temperatures rise.
Unless you have some issue or limit pertaining to the overall weight of a CPU-cooler-plus-fan assembly, the better 120x38mm fans also weigh a bit more. Some of the better Panaflos weigh in at an excess over 250 grams. Same with some models of Delta, although I've found a Delta that's quiet at 2,500 rpm and weighs about 50 grams less than a Panaflo capable of the same CFMs.
All of these things make them a better choice, barring the fact that they never come with integrated LED lights.
The beefier motor often is capable of higher rpms, and gets rated for noise in the unacceptable range above 50 dBA. Consider, though, that often -- with a better quality motor -- this noise may be due exclusively to "top-end air-turbulence." But you aren't going to need to run it at the "top-end." And with an occasional exception (like the Vantec "Tornado"), these types of fans are as quiet as a Scythe or Yate-Loon running at comparable speeds. The difference arises when you can program a fan-controller or motherboard to rev the beefy fan up a tad as temperatures rise.
Unless you have some issue or limit pertaining to the overall weight of a CPU-cooler-plus-fan assembly, the better 120x38mm fans also weigh a bit more. Some of the better Panaflos weigh in at an excess over 250 grams. Same with some models of Delta, although I've found a Delta that's quiet at 2,500 rpm and weighs about 50 grams less than a Panaflo capable of the same CFMs.
It's kinda like having fatter tyres on a car - they let you put more power on the ground.
A 38mm (thick) fan will be noisier than a 25mm at the same rpm, but it will also move more air. So if you want quiet, you're probably better with 25's. But if you just want performance, 38's are your friend.
A 38mm (thick) fan will be noisier than a 25mm at the same rpm, but it will also move more air. So if you want quiet, you're probably better with 25's. But if you just want performance, 38's are your friend.
Anyone know how to hook up a 38mm fan (120size) to a HS like the ninja Rev b? I know these are great for case cooling but how the heck do those wire clips used to clamp 25mm fans to HS work for the 38mm ones? Has anyone rigged one or tried?
Dawn of the living thread... :shocked:
Many 38mm fans have open corners so shouldn't need any special clip. I know Thermalright has special clips for some of their HS's that fit closed-corner 25mm and another for closed corner 38mm fans. So go to your HS maker's site an see if they have any available accys or just make sure to get an open corner (aka unbridged corners) fan. Or maybe you could rig it with zip ties.
.bh.
Many 38mm fans have open corners so shouldn't need any special clip. I know Thermalright has special clips for some of their HS's that fit closed-corner 25mm and another for closed corner 38mm fans. So go to your HS maker's site an see if they have any available accys or just make sure to get an open corner (aka unbridged corners) fan. Or maybe you could rig it with zip ties.
.bh.
Quiksilver
Diamond Member
- Jul 3, 2005
- 4,726
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Even if they were noisy I don't mind at all as long as its under 50 db. I means seriously just look at these: http://www.scythe-usa.com/prod...22/dfs1238_detail.html the only thing I wish it did have was blue leds. 
The 38mm fan from the p180 is the only fan I kept that came with the case. Its quieter than the 2 thinner ones yet pushes more air. Vibrates like mad though so could possibly become noisier if you don't softmount it. I mount mine using the nexus rubber fan mounts.
They usually have larger motors too which are more noisy. They tend to have a grinding noise to them. I have a 120x38mm Antec Tri-Cool that I pulled from my old crappy P180 and even on low I can hear it. Always have been able to too.
A 38mm Antec Tri-Cool ? I've never seen one. In fact, I think Antec doesn't make anything thicker than 25mm.
The fans that came with my 180B are all 120x25 mm versions.
Seems like many companies like Silverstone, Antec, Cooler Master, Yate Loon, et al. are putting labels on the moving blade of the fan. I call those labels, "unbalance weights". If they aren't perfectly centered (just spin the blade manually-note direction arrow- and you can see just how off-center your label is) you can notice the vibe caused by them. carefully remove any labels you find like that. Hold the fan blade firmly so you don't damage the bearings accidentally.
.bh.
.bh.
I don't have the stupid P180B. I have the P180...
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article249-page1.html
"1 lower chamber (standard) 120mm x 38mm TriCool Fan"
Well I've never seen a site that sells the 38mm fan however they did make them back for the original P180.
That's what fan controllers are for. From 7V down, my Sanyo is reasonably quiet while still emitting bocoup air. Few if any need to let it run full speed at over 100 CFM.
.bh.
.bh.
He's talking about the 120x38mm Antec TriCool fan that was only available with the Antec P180 case. Pay attention please. We all know that there are plenty of 120x38mm fans by other manufacturers.
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