Best 60mm fans?

[Raduque]

Thinking of buying a Thermaltake Bach case for my HTPC. It uses 60mm fans for exhaust. Can anybody tell me what the best, quiet 60mm fans are? I plan on using the ones it comes with for a while to see if they are decent, but I'd like to know what fans are better, if the stock ones suck.

The stock rear fans specs are, according to TT "Dual 60 x 60 x25 mm, 2500rpm, 19dBA". I'm guessing the airflow isn't very high on these, but we'll see.

Thanks!

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

TT has a reputation that proceeds itself concerning fan specs. They lie.

If you are dissatisfied with the stock orange fans try these.
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/ak60amseulqu.html Note that this fan is 2300rpm@23dBA.
This is probably a honest rating. Akasa fans are made for quiet running. The few that have used the
120s in this brand seem pleased.

...Galvanized

 

[AwesomeJay]

SilenX 60mm 16dBA 2500rpm 18cfm

Silenx 60mm 12dBA 1900rpm 13cfm

SilenX 60mm 8dBA 1400rpm 9cfm

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

SilenX will get discussed...I hope.

They have the same distinction TT does concerning fan spec=gross exageration.
Plus the quiet service life for many has been short. Sure it will spin for 50,000 hours
but not quietly. That is the big advantage of a *quality*ball bearing fan, it runs a very
long time without an increase in dBA.


...Galvanized

 

[AwesomeJay]

ya i've never used SilenX just posting the specs i saw listed.

 

[Zepper]

The SilenX 120mm fans don't have a good rep for reliability. I don't know the 60mm market that well, but if you find a good one, let us all know. In general, if you buy a top brand you won't be badly disappointed. If you buy an upstart brand with grandiose claims, the odds of disappointment rise.

Or if you are really disappointed with the noise level of the 60mm fans and/or need extra cooling, you might consider thinking "outside the box". Get a pair of really cheap 60mm fans and cut the motor out of them. The remaining frames will be used as spacers- mount them to the outside of the back of the case with standard, short fan screws from the inside of the case. Mount one or two 60 to 80mm fan adapters to the outside flange of the spacers. Then you can use quieter and higher capacity 80mm fans.

.bh.

 

[Raduque]

Well, i don't think I'll get SlienX fans, but if the stock ones are really bad I'll take a long hard look at those Akasas

Originally posted by: Zepper
Or if you are really disappointed with the noise level of the 60mm fans and/or need extra cooling, you might consider thinking "outside the box". Get a pair of really cheap 60mm fans and cut the motor out of them. The remaining frames will be used as spacers- mount them to the outside of the back of the case with standard, short fan screws from the inside of the case. Mount one or two 60 to 80mm fan adapters to the outside flange of the spacers. Then you can use quieter and higher capacity 80mm fans.

.bh.

Over at pcalchemy, they have some 60mm->80mm fan adaptors. I might use those if they'll fit easily inside the case, I really don't want to have to do something as drastic as hacking apart fans and bolting a frankenstein setup to the backside.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

OP, only you know what your needs are for quiet or how that word is defined.

Both Zepper and I have modded the rear loud 80mm fan on PSUs to 92mm fans by use of
an adapter. It can not be seen and even if it could the term Frankenstein would be a stretch.

Just by looking at the linked pics no adapter could be used for the rear fans inside the case.
However, one slow 60 could be left in the case and one 60 to 80 adapter used on the outside rear.

Time will tell your needs for cooling vs quiet.

Silverstone does offer a 92mm fan that mounts to 80mm fan holes that would fit easily
to the stock front intake, again by just looking at the linked pics.

Good Luck and keep us informed on the noise of the stock TT fans.

...Galvanized

 

[Raduque]

Thanks Gal, I do have a thing for quiet PCs... my Xbox360 is louder then both my main rig and HTPC put together.
I plan on picking up the Bach if ZZF still has the silver model in stock by next week, so I will let ya'll know when I get it.

 

[Zepper]

I've had a compact box (Athenatech A100SC) here. I was able to put one adapter inside, but I can't remember now whether I used it as an intake or exhaust. You have to use the spacers if you go outside because the back of the case where the fans are is recessed.
. And an external fan rig (no matter how hideous) is (as GY said) almost never visible from the front. And even if it was, I could use a nice transparent blue (or aluminum or chrome) adapter with a chromed plastic or polished aluminum fan and it would look just fine.

.bh.

 

[Raduque]

If I end up having to adapt some fans for the rears, because no 60mms meet my reqs for silent but cool, I will probably paint whatever fans/adapters I use to match the case, since I'm buying the silver one.

Like I said, when I get the case, I will let ya'll know.