Is the Silentx really That quiet?

[imported_thedave]

Is it accurate that the Silentx 120mm moves 58 cfm while only creating 14 dba noise? What other low-noise fans would you recommend for less money?
This is for a front fan in my Antec Sonata by the way.

 

[Tiamat]

Short answer: no. Is it "quiet" yes, but not 14db quiet. You can hear it above your noise floor, so it has to be louder than 20db. (I live in the city, so even at 2AM there is some slight noise from outside).

Alternative would be Nexus or the OEM version, Yateloon D12SL if you can find it. Run a search on www.silentpcreview.com for more info. This guy is only 8$ vs. the 20$ that the nexus commands.

I would do this: Get the yateloon, install it in the back. Install the antec stock at 6V in the front. You may want to futher lower your noise by dropping the rpm on the Yateloon - probably 9V would be sufficient but you can go lower.

 

[RobsTV]

I would say yes.
In my HTPC, that sits at ear height, I've tried dozens of fans, with supposed low noise or ultra quiet, for all the major venders like Panaflo, Vantec, Coolermaster and Zalman (great CPU cooler). 18 - 22db were all way too loud. After getting the Ahanix SilentX (the company that started SilenX) from Newegg, WOW, it was the answer. Can not hear it at all, even from 1 inch away.

I will never buy another fan rated higher than 14db.
You can have totally silient PC's.

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: thedave
Is it accurate that the Silentx 120mm moves 58 cfm while only creating 14 dba noise? What other low-noise fans would you recommend for less money?
This is for a front fan in my Antec Sonata by the way.

No they are not 14dba's, but they are the quietest fans I have ever used. They are way expensive, but I am happy with their 120mm's and especially their 80mm. SPCR states their 80mm is "the quietest 80mm ever encountered." Their CFM specs are off in my opinion as well, but I have yet to find a quieter 80mm. The 80mm has NO motor hum even if you rig it to run above their specs by removing the thermistor (on that model) and replacing it with a 3.3 resistor.

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
Short answer: no. Is it "quiet" yes, but not 14db quiet. You can hear it above your noise floor, so it has to be louder than 20db. (I live in the city, so even at 2AM there is some slight noise from outside).

Alternative would be Nexus or the OEM version, Yateloon D12SL if you can find it. Run a search on www.silentpcreview.com for more info. This guy is only 8$ vs. the 20$ that the nexus commands.

I would do this: Get the yateloon, install it in the back. Install the antec stock at 6V in the front. You may want to futher lower your noise by dropping the rpm on the Yateloon - probably 9V would be sufficient but you can go lower.

Good advice. I say go with the yate in front as well as the rear. The Antecs hum even at 7v.