Best *high* CFM and quiet Fans out there

[nefariouscaine]

I'd been looking at the Silenx fans or some of the Cooler Master fans (particularly the blue led one with fan controller)

LED's aren't a selling point as I have a closed windowless case but I'm looking for the most pull (or push ) I can get with the least amount of noise. I got some beasts in my case now and the noise is annoying at times so I'm looking to decrease the noise if possible. Ideally I don't want to lose performance - period - I live in SoCal and heat is a major issue with out air conditioning (maybe next year...) and short of water cooling I like large scale numbers of high CFM fans.

I'm looking at replacing 6 or 7 fans with most of them being 120mm's

Please give me experience only comments - I can read specs all day long but that doesn't tell me too much about real life performance. I'll use Thermaltake as an example of "high" CFM crappy fans that never seemed to push anything close to 70 cfm as the specs listed...

Thanks

 

[Zepper]

The Yate Loon Medium speed aren't too bad, but you still might want to use a fan controller with them to knock the edge off - you can parallel two or three per channel... Surely the best value for the dollar at $3.15 each for 3 and up at jab-tech.com . This is what I use for exhaust in my cases. On intake I use high CFM capable units as I like a positive pressure environment in my systems. I just got some of those Cooler Master fan kits that I reviewed here: http://www.techimo.com/reviews/ definitely need a controller on those but they come with one. Watch for sales on them ($12. is the best current price I've found per Froogle) - or PM me as I bought several extras so have some for sale - one LED and a couple of black ones.

.bh.

 

[imported_Scoop]

Well you shouldn't look at specs but rather reviews. Also, there are some realities in life. Such as, no high CFM fan is quiet.

You want the high CFM fans on the CPU heatsink and casefans to be as quiet as possible with decent CFM. Such a thing comes with a price I've heard; the Noctua NF-S12 series. The 800RPM model is my only choice as a casefan. 41CFM at ~20db@1m with 820RPM, power consumption being 0.59W at full tilt. The 1200RPM model is a bit loud to my taste at 25db, though it can put out 63CFM.

If you want to look at some reviews there's no place like silentpcreview.com. They have tested a bunch of 120mm fans and they give you the real numbers to look at, not the specs the manufacturers give.

If you look at the best noise/CFM ratios, you'll notice that you'll be buying a loud fan only because it has good CFM.

 

[Idontcare]

These temp-sensitive thermaltake 120mm fans look pretty decent, are ball bearing, and if you order 8 or more on newegg you get free shipping and a price/unit of just $9.99:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811999145

I don't own them yet, just placed my order for them today. The remote thermal sensor was the clincher for me. Being able to connect the on-demand variable speed fan to the area of my case/mobo that I want to cool is pretty crafty imo.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

I have bout nearly 20 of these fans in the last year or so and they not only look spectacular but, they really do flow a ton or air with not much more than a mild hum.

I have some older non-pwm versions of this and they are quite notably quieter than previous fans but, also move noticeably less cfm.

Lastly, I bout four of these for a clients build just about a month ago and They definately meet specs sitting out on a desk with no resistance but, when in an actual case they are not any quieter than the last ones I showed but, do move more air. IMHO not worth the extra $$.

 

[Zepper]

Same fan as Frozen CPU: alum. 120mm for much less... SilenX fans are not fans an ATer would bother with.

.bh.

 

[Jen]

172mm fan on 5 volt i been told is quiet . i honestly havent tried that on the 5 i have on this shelf . always wonder if that is true


Jen

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Same fan as Frozen CPU: alum. 120mm for much less... SilenX fans are not fans an ATer would bother with.

.bh.

When a client says use this or I'll buy it somewhere else, any ATer would bother with them.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

i have 2 x delta 120x38mm 2100rpm fans that r connected to a sunbeam rheobus. they REALLY MOVE air when at 12v and are quiet when turned down to 5v but still push more than any yate loon

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

You want the high CFM fans on the CPU heatsink and casefans to be as quiet as possible with decent CFM. Such a thing comes with a price I've heard; the Noctua NF-S12 series. The 800RPM model is my only choice as a casefan. 41CFM at ~20db@1m with 820RPM, power consumption being 0.59W at full tilt. The 1200RPM model is a bit loud to my taste at 25db, though it can put out 63CFM.

As far as Noctua fans, I'd suggest the new NF-P12 series fans. They've been getting great reviews everywhere, I'd get a pair myself but I recently bought a pair of Scythes so I'm not going to get more fans. What's nice about the P12s is that they come with the U.L.N.A to drop the fans (normally at 1300RPM) to 1100 or 800RPMs, not that the noise goes down much from the normal speed. No need for voltage trickery, buying fans rated for different speeds, or a fan controller if you don't have one onboard or off. Only problems are the price tag and the color scheme... it's not to everyones liking. Unless you have an ugly beige case these likely won't fit style-wise.

But if you're looking to replace six to seven fans, and you are, look elsewhere. $25 on a single fan is hard to justify, $175 on a small platoon of fans is impossible unless you're wiping yourself with twenties.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Noctua

 

[JEDIYoda]

Personally I use all coolerMaster Fans in all my riggs and at one time I had 11-- 120 mm fans in obe of my riggs and they were quiet!!

Then again quiet is a relative term!!

 

[nefariouscaine]

I'm looking at those aluminum fans now as $10 bucks is right up my alley - I have some Yate Loons laying around but not too silent nor do they move a ton of air (orange close ended model)

I got a couple of silent coolermasters (but LOW CFM) and I was looking at these too - http://www.performance-pcs.com...8ab1ba176db8023539e16c

Trying to keep costs at $15 per fan or less as 20-25 per fan just gets outta range on the price

*edit* thanks for the suggestions so far too

 

[Zepper]

The Sanyo Denki 120x38mm, 109R1212H1011 are top quality fans (one of the best fans ever made, IMO) that can push around 100CFM max and can run down to 5V or lower, but they are running about $20. for new ones now. The tri-blade Deltas that sidewindercomputers.com and thermalfx.com sometimes have in stock can be quiet too. Panaflos aren't as good as they used to be when made in Japan but are still better than most. The Low and Med speed 38mm Scythe models are supposed to be NIZE from all reports.

.bh.

 

[dawza]

Your best bet would be to purchase a fan that undervolts well, with the capability to move a large amount of air when necessary, as Zepper and others have pointed out. The Delta triple blades can really crank out the CFMs, are of excellent quality, and do well on lower voltages. I have the low-speed tri-blade, and can vouch for its ability to effectively push air in higher-resistance applications (unlike the original Noctua series). Sanyo Denki fans are also contenders, and some of the NMBs are good buys as well (in 92 and 80mm).

As far as silence is concerned, the most you can ask for is that the fan be well-made such that the only noise generated is from airflow, as opposed to motor humming/whining/grinding/etc.

One other consideration (if you do not already have one) is to get a non-PWM controller, to avoid the common clicking noises PWM controllers often generate with ball-bearing fans.

 

[JEDIYoda]

There really is no need to undervolt at all....unless your fan is noisy at regular speeds...

 

[Zepper]

Unless you have one of those 250mm fans, 100CFM is going to come with some noise...

.bh.

 

[alkemyst]

Gizzo's Fan Database!

 

[JEDIYoda]

Also ther comes a point of diminishing returns somewhere between 45--65 cfm depending on the brand of fan you are using!
There is no set 100% fool prooof guidelines when dealing with fan cfm!
The manufacturer can basically put whatever they so desire and they do at times!!

Good Luck!!

 

[DrMrLordX]

I like the Silverstone FM-121. It's not silent (39-40db), but it moves 110 cfm.