BitFenix Spectre Pro fans?

[Essence_of_War]

Does anybody have any direct experience with these?

I have a 230mm one that I'm VERY happy with, it seems to move a lot of air very quietly, and I was wondering if the 120mm/140mm versions are well regarded also?

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Does anybody have any direct experience with these?

I have a 230mm one that I'm VERY happy with, it seems to move a lot of air very quietly, and I was wondering if the 120mm/140mm versions are well regarded also?

I can't comment about the smaller fans. I have three HAF 922 midtowers, and through my last major project (2011) I had stuck to air-cooling. In that context, I needed 200+mm fans -- one pair for each case for the side-panel and front-intake. I wanted low noise and reasonably high throughput (CFM).

I've tried the NZXT 200mm, CoolerMaster 200mm (bundled with the HAF) and Apevia 200mm fans. I have a BitFenix Spectre Pro 200+mm "red-LED" which I purchased and tested for noise and airflow. I'm planning to rid myself of the CMs and an NZXT (outstanding airflow!) and replace them with the Spectre Pro's. I want "green-LED."

The problem with these large Spectre-Pros: they may not fit the standard mounting holes on some cases (like my HAFs), but that isn't a major problem for me: I'll make the necessary mods.

As long as the bearings aren't the "sleeved" variety -- and the BitFenix fans I've seen so far are not -- I'm fine with the larger sizes, and am just waiting to place an order when there's more chump-change to squander on "green."

I suppose, if you aren't satisfied by lab-reviews of the fans in sizes you prefer, the only option (which I usually pursue) involves buying one as a "sample" and testing it. Check the specs on the smaller fans. The specs may indicate how good is the airflow compared to other fans of the same size. Always look for fans with a good bearing design and a high MTBF spec.

 

[krnmastersgt]

I have 3 of the Spectre Pros in the 120mm flavor, the fans are nice and have a unique look and all, and push decent air. But I've put it up against a radiator at minimum and max RPMs and the air they push is completely deflected off the test rad I put them against. Put some of my Gentle Typhoons and pretty much all the air goes straight through the same rad.

They were touted as very high static pressure buuut didn't live up to it for me (maybe too high a restriction rad) so they look cool, but I'm not using them for anything.

 

[Essence_of_War]

Luckily, I wasn't planning on sticking them on a rad, that's good to know though.

NCIX US just started selling the NF-P14 black/redux version for $12, so I think I might just end up going with that

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Luckily, I wasn't planning on sticking them on a rad, that's good to know though.

NCIX US just started selling the NF-P14 black/redux version for $12, so I think I might just end up going with that

Different manufactures of varying sizes may best serve varying needs. krnmastersgt's observations are worth filing away for later reference. I suppose it also depends on whether you use them for case intake/exhaust, or to push/pull air through an obstruction like a cooler or radiator. In that case, I used an AP-30 with wads and layers of acoustic foam rubber.

You might get more airflow than the NF-P14 with these:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...WM_Fan_w_Hydro_Dynamic_Bearings_AK-FN073.html

There is also a "square" 140mm unit that exceeds the CFM spec of the "R" fan by about 8 CFM. They are quiet -- by my standard, at least -- when run at their top end.

But Noctua makes a good fan -- no doubt about it.

 

[Ramses]

But Noctua makes a good fan -- no doubt about it.

If they made a 200mm, I'd have it.

I do have the BitFenix, it's... Ok.
I replaced a factory Antec with it, it was an improvement fwiw.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

If they made a 200mm, I'd have it.

I do have the BitFenix, it's... Ok.
I replaced a factory Antec with it, it was an improvement fwiw.

When I gave up modding old SECC-steel cases (and I mean EXTENSIVE modding) -- I tried a HAF 922. Soon -- I had three of 'em, all sitting right here with my knees. I also have a CM mid-tower Stacker, which could be easily modded to come close to an aluminum version of HAF.

So I was quite fascinated with the possibilities for the large fans, but the CM fans seemed pretty limp. I tried the NZXT FN-200RB, rated at 166 CFM. I bought a couple of Apevia LED fans, and a couple of the BitFenix Spectre-Pro LEDs.

Like the CM, the Apevia is almost as limp. The Spectre-Pros at ~144 CFM didn't seem very noisy and were likely pushing air proportional to the spec. The worst of it was the mounting holes of either the NZXT or the Spectre-Pro, but after the "EXTENSIVE modding experience," that little problem is so minor as to not fall into the category of "problem."

You can run all these fans (including the CMs) at about 300 RPM under CPU idle temperatures and thermally control them up to their top-end. This has the neato aspect that dust build-up is significantly attenuated, so there's less of any need for obstructive filtering.