Fractal Design Fans any good?

[Galatian]

Hey,

I recently built my first gaming rig and I've gone with the recommendation of the mid-range buyers guide and got myself the Fractal Design Core 3000 case. I really like the case and enjoyed working with it.

As I have to point of reference: Are the included fans in the Fractal Case any good? Are there more quiet ones or is this pretty much as quiet as I can get on air?

What are your opinions?

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Hi Galatian - Glad you found the guide useful and that you're digging the 3000. As far as the Fractal fans go, they're typical of better stock fans. That is, they're fine, but nothing truly special. However, if you want noticeably better fans, expect to pay $10 (on sale) to $20 (usual day to day prices) on each replacement.

 

[Galatian]

Hi Galatian - Glad you found the guide useful and that you're digging the 3000. As far as the Fractal fans go, they're typical of better stock fans. That is, they're fine, but nothing truly special. However, if you want noticeably better fans, expect to pay $10 (on sale) to $20 (usual day to day prices) on each replacement.

Yes thanks for that guide. For someone who is building his first ever custom rig it is the perfect guide to begin with.
When you say there are better fans out there does just mean cooling wise e.g. how much airflow they have or is that about loudness as well? Or possibly both. While my rig is not loud by any stretch, it'd still like to get it even more quiet. What could I expect from replacing the Fractal fans with say some BeQuiet! fans?

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Unfortunately I'm not familiar with BeQuiet! as their products aren't widely available in the United States. That said, I like Noctua fans. I replaced the stock Fractal fans with Noctua fans in a Core 3000, i3-2100, Radeon HD 7770 gaming build and the Noctuas were noticeably quieter but not really any better at cooling. FWIW, hope that helps.

 

[Galatian]

Unfortunately I'm not familiar with BeQuiet! as their products aren't widely available in the United States. That said, I like Noctua fans. I replaced the stock Fractal fans with Noctua fans in a Core 3000, i3-2100, Radeon HD 7770 gaming build and the Noctuas were noticeably quieter but not really any better at cooling. FWIW, hope that helps.

Sure! Thanks for your help. I'm pretty sure that Noctua and BeQuiet are on a very similar level. Here in Germany the also go for roughly the same price, so I will definitely replace the fans, to get my system more quiet. That and a good surround system should suffice ;-)

 

[Vectronic]

Both... Fractals R2's at least (I have 3) are somewhere in the middle, decent airflow, decently quite, but there are better fans. You can get 140mm fans that push almost twice as much air, at the same loudness. (Cougars for example).

Which means, at a lower RPM they will be quieter than than Fractals, and still push as much or more air. (this also depends on where the fans are located, the noise created as it passes through vents, or past objects is also a factor).

 

[lehtv]

Fractal fans are average. Nothing special about them, but they're not bad either - typical for fans you get bundled with cases from reputable manufacturers.

There are for sure better options but if you're not extremely picky about noise, improvements to be had over the stock fans are probably not worth the cost. Had you wanted a silent setup you'd have gone with a Define R4 anyway.

 

[Galatian]

Fractal fans are average. Nothing special about them, but they're not bad either - typical for fans you get bundled with cases from reputable manufacturers.

There are for sure better options but if you're not extremely picky about noise, improvements to be had over the stock fans are probably not worth the cost. Had you wanted a silent setup you'd have gone with a Define R4 anyway.

You are right! I won't bother replacing the fans. My next gaming rig in 2014 will have a full custom water loop.

 

[Raincity]

I would get a pair of Corsair Airforce fans to do the heavy lifting and relocate the Fractal fans to supplement them.