Need 3 quiet fans for case

[jack bauer]

Two 120mm and one 90mm. I want them as quiet as possible. LEDs would be nice too, as would variable speed. I saw the thermaltakes on newegg, but the reviews said they were loud at 100%. Any ideas?

 

[RallyMaster]

Nexus, Arctic Cooling, Scythe and Panaflo. Take your pick.

 

[aigomorla]

yate looms > nexus yate looms are oem nexus' and about 75% cheaper in price!

Scythe with FDB's are the quietest technology available but compared to undervolted yate looms, there isnt much of a sound difference.

Look at my thread on stores to find places where you can buy them, as fans are techincally concidered watercooling equiptment as well for radiators.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: RallyMaster
Nexus, Arctic Cooling, Scythe and Panaflo. Take your pick.

Panaflos are only good for undervolting, just as a note!

 

[996GT2]

Intake: Scythe S-Flex 1200 RPM, 49 CFM, 20.1 dBA
http://www.frozencpu.com/fan-205.html

Exhaus: Arctic Cooling AC Fan 12, 56.3 CFM, 23.5 dBA (you want a bit more exhaust airflow to move air out of the case)

http://www.frozencpu.com/fan-212.html

92mm: Nexus Real Silent 27 CFM, 19.2 dBA
http://www.svc.com/df1209sl-3.html

Yes, I realize that these have no LEDS, but for lights just spend $10 on a good CCFL kit that will shine a lot brighter anyways.

 

[RallyMaster]

for LED fans, Cooler Master is the way to go.

<-has three Cooler Master LED fans

I don't think CM makes 92 mm fans though.

 

[dunkster]

Some things to consider:
- 'Quiet' vs 'cool' operation: Low-flow fans result in warmer case and device temps.
- Case air flow paths: Optimized front-to-back flow is best for cooling all devices.
- Avoid negative case air pressure: This can stall air flow through your PS.
- Reduce case air flow restrictions for better overall case ventilation.

You may want to strike a balance between low audible case noise and acceptable cooling. I found Nexus 'silent' amber 120mm fans resulted in warmer operating temps than I was comfortable with.

Cases with side-vents result in noisier cases and warm hard drive temps. They not only provide a noise-leak path, but also produce a side-to-exhaust air flow path that decreases front-intake air flow over your hard drives. Best configuration for cooling all devices is front-to-back flow configuration.

Since most power supplies are designed to draw air from the case, running negative case pressure can stall air flow through your PS. This can result in warmer PS operation and forcing the PS fan to run at high temps to compensate - creating more PS fan noise and possibly harming your PS.

If you select low-flow 'silent' fans, you should try to reduce case air flow restrictions, such as:
- Restrictive case fan grills.
- Restrictive case front bezels.
- Restrictive air filter media.
- Restrictive internal hardware, such as side-mount hard drive cages.

I'm running 3 Panaflo M1As:
- M1A 120mm intake & exhaust at 7V for about 50CFM: Balance of good flow and fairly quiet.
- M1A 90mm at 12V on CPU cooler: Good flow and fairly quiet.

Very few cases deliver a good combination of good cooling with low audible case noise. My experience is that some degree of internal modding is required.

Hope this helps!

 

[RallyMaster]

dunkster: you sure those fans weren't the Akasa Ambers?

 

[dunkster]

Nexus 'Real Silent' orange 120mm. Quiet, but ...