Do the SVC fans suck?

[archcommus]

I made an order at SVC last night, I got a couple things but one of them was an 80mm fan for my MCX-462. I saw the SVC ball bearing fans for $2.50 (4-pin) or $1.65 (3-pin), which are listed at 32.5 CFM and 28.3 dBA. Now, I realize that these are rebadged, but does anyone know from what? I also realize that these numbers may not be completely accurate, so do you think this fan is really gonna suck or will it cool my CPU okay?

 

[Zepper]

Depends on which way you mount them and the viewpoint of the observer... Couldn't resist!

Actually I've bought several of them and they work OK for me. If you're just using it for case exhaust or replacement PSU fan then OK. If for CPU heatsink, I would get something more powerful and run it off a pot or Zalman Fan Mate, etc.
.bh.

Where's the :sun: ?

 

[archcommus]

Well it will be for my CPU, but since I'm using an MCX-462, 80mm is all I could get anyway, and 32.5 CFM is really about as powerful as it gets while still being quiet for 80mm. The question is, will it actually be that CFM? Plus, I figured the fans that come with my Kingwin wouldn't be much quieter anyway, but right after I purchased this SVC fan I learned the Kingwin fans are 25 dBA, so this one will stick out like a sore thumb!

So I guess we'll see if it's too loud or not. What do you think? As far as how well it cools, well, I wouldn't know if it's good or not until I try another one.

 

[Zepper]

Well, a 3 dB step is the step that is barely noticeable to the human ear as a change in level. But each mfr. has a different way of testing so the ratings for dB aren't comparable whereas the CFM usually are.
. I would still use a higher powered 80mm fan and believe me you can get them that put out way more than 32CFM and use a controller to back it off to a tolerable noise level.
.bh.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Well, a 3 dB step is the step that is barely noticeable to the human ear as a change in level. But each mfr. has a different way of testing so the ratings for dB aren't comparable whereas the CFM usually are.
. I would still use a higher powered 80mm fan and believe me you can get them that put out way more than 32CFM and use a controller to back it off to a tolerable noise level.
.bh.

I'll second that, besides you went the extra mile to get a MCX-462 why skimp on the fan at that point? If possible I'd let your board control the speed of the CPU via speedfan. With the MCX-462 you should be able to keep an 80mm fan around the 2000 or less RPM mark durning idle which should be nearly dead silent.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: Zepper
Well, a 3 dB step is the step that is barely noticeable to the human ear as a change in level. But each mfr. has a different way of testing so the ratings for dB aren't comparable whereas the CFM usually are.
. I would still use a higher powered 80mm fan and believe me you can get them that put out way more than 32CFM and use a controller to back it off to a tolerable noise level.
.bh.

I'll second that, besides you went the extra mile to get a MCX-462 why skimp on the fan at that point? If possible I'd let your board control the speed of the CPU via speedfan. With the MCX-462 you should be able to keep an 80mm fan around the 2000 or less RPM mark durning idle which should be nearly dead silent.

The Swiftech MCX series are great heatsinks. But they have a major flaw, they accumulate dust like crazy. This means that over time you're going to get a substantial drop in performance, and trying to clean one is the pits.

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: Zepper
Well, a 3 dB step is the step that is barely noticeable to the human ear as a change in level. But each mfr. has a different way of testing so the ratings for dB aren't comparable whereas the CFM usually are.
. I would still use a higher powered 80mm fan and believe me you can get them that put out way more than 32CFM and use a controller to back it off to a tolerable noise level.
.bh.

I'll second that, besides you went the extra mile to get a MCX-462 why skimp on the fan at that point? If possible I'd let your board control the speed of the CPU via speedfan. With the MCX-462 you should be able to keep an 80mm fan around the 2000 or less RPM mark durning idle which should be nearly dead silent.

The Swiftech MCX series are great heatsinks. But they have a major flaw, they accumulate dust like crazy. This means that over time you're going to get a substantial drop in performance, and trying to clean one is the pits.

Air compressor my friend. Works like a charm on mine.

 

[HardWarrior]

I thought about that but went with water instead. I might still buy a small compressor though. It couldn't do anything but make my life easier.

 

[archcommus]

Well, anything that had a higher CFM than 32 I saw had dBA levels (at those speeds) well in excess of 30, sometimes 40 or more, and I wanted something quiet, so I skipped those. Now, I realize that I could control the speeds, either with a rheobus or with software, but I'll be OCing my 2100+ Tbred-B. If I back down the fan, I'd have to back down my overclock, as well, and would I really want to go into the BIOS to alter my overclock every time I game?

If I DO decide to use a more powerful fan, I already have a Torndao here (I think that's what it is, it has Tt on the top of it). Is that a controlled fan? I need to go look.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: archcommus87
Well, anything that had a higher CFM than 32 I saw had dBA levels (at those speeds) well in excess of 30, sometimes 40 or more, and I wanted something quiet, so I skipped those. Now, I realize that I could control the speeds, either with a rheobus or with software, but I'll be OCing my 2100+ Tbred-B. If I back down the fan, I'd have to back down my overclock, as well, and would I really want to go into the BIOS to alter my overclock every time I game?

If I DO decide to use a more powerful fan, I already have a Torndao here (I think that's what it is, it has Tt on the top of it). Is that a controlled fan? I need to go look.

1. I wouldn't overclocking anything with that SVC fan, not powerful enough.

2. Any fan is controllable, but the tornado likely draws too much power to be used off of a motherboard header so software is out of the question. You would have to use a rheobus, it would work but not very smoothly.

3. You don't have to back down the overclock if back down the fan. If you get a slightly more powerful 80mm fan (sunon's) come to mind you can still use software to throttle the fan. Even overclocked your 2100+ shouldn't be putting out too much heat under idle; worst case scenario you'll just have to run the fan at a higher min. then if you were running stock clocks, say 2500 RPM vs. 2000. This Sunon would prolly work out well.

 

[archcommus]

My Tornado does have some kind of box on the wire with a knob I can turn.

Why could I not run that Torndao off the mobo header just because it uses a lot of power? Would that affect anything?

So, idle my OCed CPU would be okay with a 32 CFM fan, but while at full load it wouldn't be?

Damn, looks like I'll need to purchase another fan. The bad part is the shipping costs as much as the fan! Hopefully someone here on the forums will have whatever I decide I need.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: archcommus87
My Tornado does have some kind of box on the wire with a knob I can turn.

Why could I not run that Torndao off the mobo header just because it uses a lot of power? Would that affect anything?

So, idle my OCed CPU would be okay with a 32 CFM fan, but while at full load it wouldn't be?

Damn, looks like I'll need to purchase another fan. The bad part is the shipping costs as much as the fan! Hopefully someone here on the forums will have whatever I decide I need.

There are three ways you can approch this...

1. get a fan with a set speed and just live with it.

2. get a fan with a manual fan control, sounds like you have one allready.

3. get a fan with a 3 pin motherboard connector and control it via software like speedfan. assuming your bored supports this.

 

[archcommus]

Hmm...

Okay, first off, the mobo is an A7N8X-X.

If I can achieve acceptable speeds (going for 216x10/10.5/11, so I can ultilize my DDR443 mem) with acceptable temps with the SVC fan, I'm done. However, you say that's not going to happen.

I could use the Tornado and turn it down some (it's 3-pin, actually two three pin connectors, what are they both for?), and see what happens with temps/noise. If I don't like keeping it at one level, I could use software, but you said it wouldn't be good to use the Tornado through the mobo, in which case I'd have to buy a new fan.

 

[Operandi]

Ok, I can't verify that speed fan will work with your board, you can try researching that or you should be able to install it and see how many fan headers are controllable even if you aren?t using them.

I don't think your "tornado" is really a tornado "Tt" designates "Thermaltake" which I think suck pretty hardcore but thats me.

You can try the SVC fan on your swiftech but it's kinda like putting cooper tires on a Porsche.

I'd just get a 3000-4000 RPM Sunon, Y.S. Tech or other good brand fan and control it with speedfan, again assuming your board will do that. If it can't Y.S. Tech makes a really good fan with a rheobus it varies between 800-4000 RPM I believe

 

[archcommus]

http://www.almico.com/foruminfo.php?id=498189

It says A7N8X, but no -X. Is this close enough?

But anyway, even if Speedfan would work properly, if I'm going to buy that powerful of a fan, would I really want to plug it into my mobo header anyway?

You're right, sorry. The fan is a Thermaltake, which model/CFM/dBA I have no clue.

 

[Operandi]

Yeah, you should be good then. I'm assuming the "x" designates special features on your board and that it's not a striped down version?

Well the 50 CFM sunon draws 4.3 watts of power thats quit a bit but I think it would be ok. If not this 36CFM Sunon only draws 2 and would be just fine, I'm using it right now for that exact purpose.

 

[archcommus]

Well actually, the -X is a stripped down version, but the only thing I know of that is "stripped" is the lack of dual-channel memory. I'm sure they wouldn't strip a feature like fan control, but you never know.

I guess I shouldn't order this fan just yet. $14.50 shipped is not bad, but I have no idea what the specs are of this Thermaltake that I already have. Maybe it's the original Smart Fan that they have on SVC. If so it can do some mad CFM, but I'd definitely need to get a 3-4 adapter instead of plugging it into the mobo.

If get the Sunon, though, I guess I'll just get the 4-pin and forget the sound issue. I don't want to put too much strain power-wise on my mobo, and it's only a 40 dBA fan, my current Young Lin is 39 anyway.

 

[Operandi]

What about the 36 CFM sunon?, its only 2 watts. I think that would be enough air flow for a heatsink like the swiftech.

 

[archcommus]

Really? But then that's only 4 CFM higher than the SVC fan I'm getting, makes it seem a little pointless.

I'll just make myself change my mind about the noise thing. If I want powerful I have to sacrifice the silence. I can deal with 40 dBA, so I'll get the first Sunon you linked to if I get another one at all. Thanks for the second recommendation, though.

Anyway, here's some pics of the Tt.

http://rgm700.home.comcast.net/tt1.jpg
http://rgm700.home.comcast.net/tt2.jpg
http://rgm700.home.comcast.net/tt3.jpg
http://rgm700.home.comcast.net/tt4.jpg
http://rgm700.home.comcast.net/tt5.jpg

Any idea what it is? Could it be the original Smart Fan?

Also, what are the cables for? I see one yellow wire ends in a 3-pin brown connector, and then a red and black wire end in a 3-pin connector which plugs into the fan mate, and then out of the fan mate comes a red, black, and white wire that end in a 3-pin white connector.

 

[Operandi]

Well maybe 4 CFM and maybe not, who knows about those SVC fans and how accurate the specs are. The sunon on the other hand you can trust.

Also I'm 90% sure you would be ok running the 50 CFM fan off the board, I don't think you run into trouble till you approach 6-7 watts. You could allways look into it further, the tuth is out there.

As for that fan idk what it is... Did that fan mate come with it?, if so its prolly not a thermaltake fan in orgin. As for thet white wire; it looks like thats where the RPM signal is sent, Im not sure what the point of it being on its own conector serves though.

 

[Falloutboy]

Originally posted by: archcommus87
Well, anything that had a higher CFM than 32 I saw had dBA levels (at those speeds) well in excess of 30, sometimes 40 or more, and I wanted something quiet, so I skipped those. Now, I realize that I could control the speeds, either with a rheobus or with software, but I'll be OCing my 2100+ Tbred-B. If I back down the fan, I'd have to back down my overclock, as well, and would I really want to go into the BIOS to alter my overclock every time I game?

If I DO decide to use a more powerful fan, I already have a Torndao here (I think that's what it is, it has Tt on the top of it). Is that a controlled fan? I need to go look.

not exactly alot of people don't want the noise at night when their comp is sitting idle and when the system is idle you can crank down the speed and it still will remain stable without lowering speed

 

[archcommus]

I have a strong feeling this fan I have now is an original Smart Fan. Check out this link: http://svc.com/80thersmarca.html

Seems to be it, doesn't it? If so, then it can do 53 CFM max at 39 dBA, which is great. If I wanted a little less, I could use my FanMate to turn it down and keep it there, or I could plug it into my mobo header and use SpeedFan since at max it uses 5.4W. Sound like a plan?

And, if this actually turns out to be another fan entirely, I can just go ahead and order a Sunon, probably the 50 CFM one but not definitely.

 

[Operandi]

Yeah, thats prolly what it is and you could use that fan, but you might want to double check and make sure 5.3 is alright. Also thermaltake is really good about lying about their fan specs when it comes to dBA and CFM ratings.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: Operandi
but you might want to double check and make sure 5.3 is alright.

Are you talking about the 5.4W? Hmm, maybe I should just get an adapter. This would do the trick, wouldn't it? http://www.frozencpu.com/cgi-bin/frozencpu/cab-09.html Now, where would that RPM thing plug into?

EDIT: Just checked the mobo manual, it says 8.88W and 740mA max. So TECHNICALLY, 5.4W and .45A should be okay.

 

[aSnipingPenguin]

1. I wouldn't overclocking anything with that SVC fan, not powerful enough.

Its not the best fan in the world, but its pretty decent for a buck and a half. I've used it on an SLK-800 since I built my system a year ago without any problems. Running a 2100+, 2GHz@1.7V it keeps the cpu at ~40C load for a 25C ambient.