do I really need a case fan? best quiet fan?

[semitech]

I have a p4 2.4 system with an MSI 845GE motherboard (integrated graphics), stock intel heatsink and fan on cpu, Western Digital 80GB 7200rpm hard drive, in an Antek 630II case. My system is not overclocked, and I may or may not mildly overclock in the future.
I have the Antek case fan that came with the case installed and running, and the noise bugs me.
Two questions...
1) Do I really need to run it? (or is the power supply exhaust fan enough for my set up)?
2) If so, is there a significantly quieter (or silent) case fan that isn't too expensive?
I looked at the Vantec SF8025L Stealth Double Ball Bearing Case Fan Retail for about $11 at googlegear. Anyone know if it is quieter or silent compare to the Antek? I would hate to get it and find out that there is very little difference in noise.
I ran the computer briefly without the case fan running, and am much happier with the noise level that way (just power supply and cpu fan).

Appreciate all comments on need for fan and if so, real world experience on what case fans are quieter than the Antek.

Thanks In Advance!

 

[RyanM]

Well, 3 years ago I'd have said the case fan wasn't necessary, but these days, they're vital. The stock Antec fan is like running around 35 CFM and 35 decibels, or so I'd wager. The fan you mentioned you're looking at is 27 CFM and 21 decibels. That may only look like a difference of 40%, but since the decibel scale is logrithmic, the stealth fan is roughly 20 TIMES quieter. I'd say go for it.

 

[RyanM]

Actually, you may want to buy 2 of them. If you don't have any intake fans in the front of the case, then the only way air is getting in is through seepage through small holes throughout the case, and that's not very efficient. Stick a stealth fan in the exhaust spot, where the antek one was, and stick one down in the front of the case. I'd assume there's a spot there to mount a fan. Then you're golden.

 

[bergenvr6]

The Stealth is not as quiet as advertised. It vibrates quite a bit at full speed, even with the screws tightened to the max and everything. I would go with Panaflo L1A, 24CFM at 21db. They are as quiet as advertised. I have 4 in my case now (2 intake, 1 exhaust, 1 blowhole) and at full speed, I can barely hear a thing.

 

[semitech]

Thanks for the responses. I think I'll continue to use a case fan, as I may play around with overclocking.

But now I'm torn between the Vantec Stealth and the Panaflo...

Does anyone else have real world experience between these? (and which model of the Panaflo.

THANKS!

 

[amcdonald]

I've had both and many others... I'd recommend the stealth. It comes with an undervolting adapter, and that should be enough to dampen noise for most anyone's taste. The panaflo's are slightly quieter, but also seems to push less air. I have a panaflo L1a 80mm front intake and the back exhaust & psu fans are stealths w/the voltage adapter 92mm&80mm. I can barely hear any of them.

 

[semitech]

I just ordered a Stealth fan online ($8 delivered!). I'll be curious to see the difference it makes. I wonder if I'll be complaining about the cpu and p/s fans next...
Thanks for all the comments.

 

[amcdonald]

Before you realize it you'll be "addicted" to getting rid of pc noise. sad but true