Cooler Master fans...

[Eureka]

COOLER MASTER R4-C2R-20AC-GP 120mm Case Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835103061

RPM 2000 RPM
Air Flow 90 CFM
Noise Level 19 dBA
Sleeve bearing
$6.99

Am I missing something here?

 

[masteryoda34]

2000RPM + 90 CFM =! 19dBa. dBa rating is a total lie.

If you want a silent 120mm fan, look for 1000 RPM-ish range. (Scythe S-Flex are the very best IMO.)

 

[Beanie46]

Originally posted by: masteryoda34
2000RPM + 90 CFM =! 19dBa. dBa rating is a total lie.

You're not reading into it enough. Well, really you are in that you do see the lie.

CM never stated that the 19dBA was achieved at 2k rpm, did they? This is just like SilenX.....fantastic looking specs but never really telling you anything about when or how they were obtained.....and end up being wholly misleading at best, outright lies at worst.

But I agree, S-Flex fans are among the best, esp. if you undervolt them.....they become completely silent.

 

[fffblackmage]

I have a similar fan, but with red leds, the R4-L2R-20CR-GP.

It moves a lot of air, and I think it's fairly quiet for such a fast fan. However, it is louder than my Antec Tri-cool fans on low in my 900.

They're practically silent undervolted at 5V though, and still move about as much air as the tri-cool fans on low.

 

[Eureka]

Ah that makes sense.

For the S-Flex, there seems to be 3 different models, D, E, G (searching "Scythe S-Flex" on Newegg). I assume they're noise/power levels? How long are the the cables on the S-Flex? I plan to mount them on the side panel but I want them to reach my fan controller (top drive bay). Do they come with 3-pin extenders?

And where do you guys go to get fans?

 

[masteryoda34]

The letters tell you the RPM. I believe a "higher" letter is faster RPM (G is the fastest I think). 1200 or 1600 RPM models are good IMO. I do not believe they come with 3pin extenders. They do have 3 -> 4Pin adapter cables though. The length of the attached 3pin cable is pretty standard, maybe 8-12inches. You probably need extender cables to make it to the top drive bay. Personally, I run the 1200RPM models at 100% and they are silent. IMO you don't need a fan controller for them.

 

[zagood]

Long thread on it here with one guy pushing for the CM fans and almost everyone else arguing against them:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=37&threadid=2300595

S-Flex are great fans. I prefer the F model (on a fan controller), takes everything I throw at it.

Model # Dimensions Fan Speed Fan Noise Air Flow Rated Current
SFF21D 120x120x25mm 800rpm 8.7 dBA 33.5 CFM 0.10A
SFF21E 120x120x25mm 1,200rpm 20.1 dBA 49.0 CFM 0.15A
SFF21F 120x120x25mm 1,600rpm 28.0 dBA 63.7 CFM 0.20A
SFF21G 120x120x25mm 1,900rpm 35.0 dBA 75.0 CFM 0.24A

 

[imported_Scoop]

Just to make a small case for CM fans. They are not as bad as some might think. Though 2000 RPM is not something I would want anywhere in my system. But SPCR review a Coolermaster Sileo case recently that came with two CM fans.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article946-page5.html

'Another pleasant surprise is the noise level of the included fans. They are low speed varieties with a maximum speed of about 900 RPM. The noise they generate is smooth, though there is some clicking coming from the bearings. This noise is annoying in the open or in our anechoic chamber, but tucked away inside the padded case, it wasn't audible unless we put our ears right up against it. For silent PC neophytes, leaving the fans at maximum speed would be acceptable ? they sound smooth and unobtrusive.'

Combined SPL of 18 dbA at full speed is very good. Not Nexus-good but not that far off.

 

[PUN]

those fans are about 35dba under 2000rpm according to CM
There is one for 69cfm at 19dba which I recommend. It moves a lot of air and very quiet.

 

[Stoneburner]

I have the LED CM fans that are rated at 19db and 90 cfm. They are pretty quiet...until you put them in the case. Then they whistle like mad. I don't see how you can blow that much air without making noise.

 

[Zepper]

I've been using CM fans that are rated at 110 CFM (2500 rpm, ball bearing)l and i'm fairly certain that these don't make their rated output. I'd be very wary about standard sleeve bearing fans that claim high output. Standard design sleeve bearing just aren't useful in HO applications. The CM fans I've been using (y720-DCD-25T1-GP - only available thru the USA branch of CM as far as I know, at least I've never seen them listed at any other of CM's web sites) are pretty quiet when slowed to 1500 rpm or less and are tolerable even at full speed (to my ears). Rated from 16.5 to 38 dBA. These CM fans all seem to have the "curved, flower petal shaped blades. Unfortunately they aren't available from many dealers as they retail for nearly $20. and few are willing to pay that for a fan these days even if they do come with two types of controllers.

.bh.