best RPM fans for performance/noise

TitusTroy

Senior member
Dec 17, 2005
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I have the Lian Li PC A70B case and it comes with 6 120mm fans (2 intake, 2 over the hard drive area, 2 outake)...I want to replace them with Scythe S-Flex fans but want to know the best RPM to get for performance as well as decent noise levels...should I get 1200 RPM for the front intake and middle fans and 1600 RPM for the outtake?...or 1600 RPM for all the fans?...or something else...anyone have any suggestions?
 

JaYp146

Senior member
Jul 28, 2005
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For open air positions (case intake and exhaust), Scythe Slipstream fans are more efficient per RPM (more blades, different pitch) and produce less noise than comparable SFlex models.

They're also cheaper than SFlex fans.

Anyway, 1200 RPM should be sufficiently quiet.
 

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,508
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You'll want to aim for neutral or slightly positive air pressure.

For 120mm case fans I use low speed (1200RPM) Yate Loons, absolutely no motor or bearing noise. I actually slow them down from the stock 1200RPM down to about 900 and they pickup speed as needed depending on case temp.
 

Piano Man

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2000
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For intake and outtake, use the S-Flex E version. I bought D-E and F. I use the F on my CPU and E for everything else. F's were too loud, and D's didn't move enough air. E's were just right, with the only noise being the whoosh of air. No bearing or motor noise.
 

Arcanedeath

Platinum Member
Jan 29, 2000
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I'd go for the Sflex E's for case fans as well. I've got 4 in my P180 plus another Sflex on my CPU cooler. 1200 ish rpm seems to be the right speed for good airflow and not excessive noise. 1600 is to much and the 800 model is not really enough unless your a silence nut :)