Need front case fan

[vhx]

Basically I need a good 120MM fan to fit in the front of my P180. My goal is to get a fan that can move alot of air to cool towards the northbridge, video card, and RAM. I do want something quiet. Anyone have personal experience with this case that can recommend a good one? Or just one in general. Links appreciated, thx.

 

[SpocksBrain]

vhx,

I've had one of these in the front of my case for several years now (and another at the rear):

Panaflo FBA12G12L

# Air Flow 68.9 CFM
# Rated Speed 1700 RPM
# Noise 30.0 dB(A)

Not cheap (generally $15+ IIRC) but nice and quiet, and have had no problems with them running all-day long most days for probably 5 yrs now...

Regards,

SB

 

[natethegreat]

Most of the preceived noise from a case fan is turbulence, a fan that moves a lot of air will create a lot of turbulence, and therefore be noisy.

As far as a quiet case fan goes, you can't really go wrong with the 120mm Yate-Loon D12SL-12 $4 +S/H If you check the pic in my sig I have a few of these (orange version) in my case running at ~6volts and they keep my X2 3800 plenty cool even at full load.

 

[vhx]

How quiet is 30 dB? Any noise comparisons?

 

[Zepper]

If your case can take a 120x38mm fan in front, consider the Sanyo Denki that PetrasTechShop.com sells for $12. +s/h - one of the best fans ever made (has sold for over $20. used - a couple of places on the web right now list "refurbs" for over $80., check Froogle if you don't believe). Hook up a fan controller so you can dial it back to about half voltage for normal use with a lot of headroom if things get warm. Will operate from under 5V to over 12V.

Relative noise level chart.

..bh.

 

[vhx]

I don't really have any fan controllers or desire to buy one, just looking for a fan that performs at stock, thanks tho.

What about these fans http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835185006 ?

 

[Zepper]

That's a decent fan but be sure to check other places as the Egg seldom has the best bottom-line price (s/h included) on onesies of fans. Smaller places like SVC.com or jab-tech.com will work with you on the shipping for small orders.

re. Not interested in controller: You can hide the Zalman FanMateII controller entirely inside the case and it's small and cheap. Some Silverstone and other 120mm fans include a control.
And your mobo may even be able to control the fan in several steps by itself. The Sanyo is right on the edge of what can be connected directly to most mobos at 0.52 Amps - check your mobo manual for fan connector Amp limits and which connector(s) it can control besides the CPU fan.

.bh.

 

[tw33ter]

These are both 1/$5.95, 4/$19.96

Low speed Yate Loon

Model: DS12L-12
Fan Size: 120mm x 120mm x 25mm
Speed: 1350 +/- 10% RPM
Airflow: 47.0 CFM
Noise: 28.0 dBA
Bearing: Sleeve
Voltage: 12 V
Current: .3 Amp Max
Fan Life: 30,000 hours
Connector: 3pin and 4pin pass-through connector

Medium speed Yate Loon

Model: DS12M-12
Fan Size: 120mm x 120mm x 25mm
Speed: 1650 +/- 10% RPM
Airflow: 70.5 CFM
Noise: 33.0 dBA
Bearing: Sleeve
Voltage: 12 V
Current: .3 Amp Max
Fan Life: 30,000 hours
Connector: 3pin and 4pin pass-through connector

 

[natethegreat]

I already linked to the low speed Y-L's and the price was better too...