Need help picking out fans for a specific use

[Yuriman]

Hey all, I'm in need of 4x 80mm OR 2x 120mm fans. Looking for lowest starting voltage possible, overall CFM per power draw is second in importance. For my uses, ball bearings are probably better than sleeve due to generally better lifespans. Cheaper is better, but I'll pay more for fans that spin with less volts.

I have a box full of 80mm fans but none of them actually starts with as low a voltage as my 120mm Yate Loons. I'm sure there are 80mm fans out there that will start with less voltage.

 

[Yuriman]

Found an article on SPCR, I believe I've answered my own question.

 

[Cerb]

Obviously you found 2x120mm as your answer. Fluid bearings (which are nothing but fancy sealed sleeve bearings) from good makers, like Noctua, for PC-market fans, will last basically forever (with so much hidden rebranding, now, and Scythe's S-flex gone, I'm not who else's are high quality like that). Papst and NMB should be good, as well, but Papst will make Noctua look cheap, and NMB aren't as good as they used to be, neither the Panasonic inheritance, nor their own. Arctic Cooling's are pretty good, IME.

In general, any low quality fan will eventually have problems starting at low voltages, whether ball bearing or not. SPCR's reference Nexus fans, FI, are just top-spec Yate Loons, and some of them will, after a few years of use, start not starting at 5V, then 7V...they will still run at low volts, but not start at them. I had the same experience with Scythe's Slipstream (non-PWM versions). I've had issues with 92mm Top Motor and Sunon fans, ball bearing, doing the same, in OEM boxes.

 

[aigomorla]

SPCR's reference Nexus fans, FI, are just top-spec Yate Loons, and some of them will, after a few years of use, start not starting at 5V, then 7V...they will still run at low volts, but not start at them. I had the same experience with Scythe's Slipstream (non-PWM versions). I've had issues with 92mm Top Motor and Sunon fans, ball bearing, doing the same, in OEM boxes.

+1

some yates / nexus fans will not start at 5V.
They will require 7V to start them, and then down volt to 5V.