Best replacement fans?

[imported_browsing]

I've got an Antec 180b that I'm replacing the fans on because they are becoming pretty loud and squeaky. Does anyone have any suggestions? I haven't paid attention to fans since I built the rig back in 2006. What's the best price and airflow? Anything at brick and mortar or is that a silly question?

 

[BassBomb]

yate loon SL's offer killer price / performance

 

[Zepper]

The Zalman F3 might be the best fan you'll find locally. It comes with silicone mounting pins and a voltage reducer that gets it down into the reasonably quiet range. The package should be under $10. Other than that you'll find more Antec and store-brand no-name fans (may be something good but you really will need to know your fans to be sure you're not getting junk as what's actually in the box can change whenever they get a better deal from a new supplier). The big box stores tend not to carry anything that has not been pre-marketed (familiar brands, etc.)... So you may find some Cooler Master too, but the more exotic brands you can forget.

.bh.

 

[Elcs]

No idea if you can pick up Scythe Slipstreams at a B&M store but they are a great shout and come in plenty of different speed flavours.

 

[Fallen Kell]

I always look at silentpcreview for my fan needs. Personally I prefer the Scythe S-Flex to the Slipstreams, but that is just me. I simply prefer the Sony fluid bearing that the S-Flex uses which should last years and years (MTBF is 150,000 hours!).

 

[RallyMaster]

Well a fan rated at 40000 hours should last 4.566 years if run 24 hours a day. But that's not exactly realistic, now is it...

 

[Zepper]

Why not four and a half years? Arctic Cooling warrants their ceramic bearing fans for 6 or 7 years, but don't drop them as the bearings are fragile to that kind of damage.

.bh.