Need help with fan selection.

[Tim]

Hello fine folks.

As per the title, I need help replacing some system fans in my PC. My goal is to maximize cooling efficiency in my planned setup while being able to keep lower noise levels under higher fan speeds. I usually alternate between running all fans in high speed for gaming, and low speed for regular tasking/netflix etc.

What I have to work with:
A 5-port, 30-watt per channel, 5.25" bay fan speed controller. It has 3-pin connectors.

Case is a Fractal Design R5.

What I need:
2 x120 mm Fans to mount on a Corsair H100i GTX. This will push through the radiator and exhaust out the top of the case. I had the radiator set up as intake in the front of the case at one point, but I hate having to clean dust out of the radiator. I know that's not optimal for cooling efficiency but that is the setup that I will stick with.

4 x 140mm Case fans configured as 1 x 140mm for rear exhaust, 2 x 140mm for frontal intake (filtered), 1 x 140mm for side panel video card intake (filtered)

Thank you in advance for your input.

 

[lehtv]

2 x120 mm Fans to mount on a Corsair H100i GTX.

Fractal Design HP-12 Venturi. Silent at minimum RPM (~400), very good static pressure at higher RPM's (up to 1800).

4 x 140mm Case fans configured as 1 x 140mm for rear exhaust, 2 x 140mm for frontal intake (filtered), 1 x 140mm for side panel video card intake (filtered)

I'm not sure you'll get much improvement in noise level, noise characteristics or airflow with third party fans. The stock ones are Fractal Design GP-14 which are already pretty good quality retail fans, you could just get a couple more of those.

But if you want to replace all fans:

For the rear slot: something like Fractal Design Venturi HF-14 or Noiseblocker PK2, or other airflow-oriented fan with 1000-1200 RPM maximum, quality bearing and low starting voltage.

For side intake: I would not use this at all, at least not for intake. IME, cases with totally blocked side panels run noticeably quieter. If not blocked, side fan slot will bleed noise out and the side fan will easily create additional noise due to the honeycomb mesh near the spinning blades. Moving the CPU rad from front intake to top exhaust should already result in better GPU temperatures.

For front intake: In theory you might improve performance a bit with a pressure optimized fan for more efficient intake through a filter, but the only decent such fan using a 3-pin connector that I can think of is a 2000 RPM Noctua IndustrialPPC, and maybe its retail 1500 RPM variant (Noctua A14). I think this only makes sense if you want to be able to run higher fan speeds - and noise levels - than what the stock GP-14 fans are capable of.

 

[Tim]

For side intake: I would not use this at all, at least not for intake. IME, cases with totally blocked side panels run noticeably quieter. If not blocked, side fan slot will bleed noise out and the side fan will easily create additional noise due to the metallic mesh near the spinning blades. Moving the CPU rad from front intake to top exhaust should already result in better GPU temperatures.

Unfortunately I have my mind set on an intake on the side. With two GTX-980's and an Sound Blaster Z card, that particular area gets and stays pretty warm. In addition, I really want to make sure that my case has a positive pressure. With 2x120 exhaust, 1 140mm exhaust, and the PSU and GPU's also exhausting, I feel like cutting out the 140mm side fan would keep me far from the realm of positive case pressure. I really really hate dust.

Edit: Even if I have 3 140mm's as intake, I'm probably not getting positive case pressure, right? 2x120mm exhaust through rad, rear 140mm exhaust, plus whatever the GPU's and PSU exhaust... am I right in this assumption?

 

[aigomorla]

for the radiator use a Nidec GT.
https://www.amazon.com/Nidec-Servo-...qid=1470334850&sr=8-4&keywords=gentle+typhoon

They are the best in class, this is undisputed. These were the once called Scythe Gentle Typhoons that you see on the TOP TOP tier H2O builds that are no longer in production by scythe. Nidec is the OEM company, so it is the same fan.

As for the 140mm fans that have no major obstructions, or does not require a lot of static, meaning things blocking it, i would go with thermaltake Rings 140mm.

https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-...0335102&sr=8-5&keywords=thermaltake+140mm+fan

2 for 30 dollars is a very good deal on those fans... so it would come out to 60 dollars for 4, not to mention they look awesome because its not the entire fan that is a LED, but the ring, like how a BMW daylight lights are.

Edit: Even if I have 3 140mm's as intake, I'm probably not getting positive case pressure, right? 2x120mm exhaust through rad, rear 140mm exhaust, plus whatever the GPU's and PSU exhaust... am I right in this assumption?

nope... u can get a slight possitive pressure effect, however not at the level i am assuming you are aiming for.
Possitive pressure does control dust a little, because it forces all the inducted air though filters, assuming you are running filters.
However u would need to be meticulous in cleaning those filters out, because dust will still end up getting inside. Also the static generated by fans which would cause a high pressure gradient would just end up sucking the dust though the filter and into your case, so its sort of the hyperbole statement of having the cart before the horse.

 

[lehtv]

for the radiator use a Nidec GT.
https://www.amazon.com/Nidec-Servo-...qid=1470334850&sr=8-4&keywords=gentle+typhoon

They are the best in class, this is undisputed.

Not true. HP-12 is as good or better:

http://thermalbench.com/2016/04/18/fractal-design-venturi-hp-12-120mm-pwm-fan/3/

More airflow with less noise. (The Darkside is a Nidec Servo GT).

 

[XavierMace]

That graph you posted would seem to agree with aigo. The Darkside is pushing more air through the radiator.

 

[lehtv]

That graph you posted would seem to agree with aigo. The Darkside is pushing more air through the radiator.

At the high RPM's yes, the GT can provide up to 300 FPM through the radiator. But the Venturi is quieter in the 50 to 240 FPM range, which disputes the idea that the GT is "best in class".

 

[aigomorla]

At the high RPM's yes, the GT can provide up to 300 FPM through the radiator. But the Venturi is quieter in the 50 to 240 FPM range, which disputes the idea that the GT is "best in class".

you are aware that the type of radiator also plays a very big role in the fan required.

The Corsair listed by the OP is a High FPI radiator, which requires a high static fan.
So on that radiator it is best in class.

Infact on most radiator the GT is best in class.
This was tested by Martin and Vapor/Skinnee on a full high grade test bench, more so then that link you gave me.

Lastly the Darkside GT is a pwm fan, while the original nidec's are straight 3 pin. I do not consider PWM fans the same as a regular 3pin due to how it pulses.

Unless someone can show me test results on 2 fans where 1 is a pwm and the other isnt having the same fan curve, i stand on this, because a pwm is more aimed on lower noise, which always comes at the cost of performance.

That being said, your correct about one thing, they are not quiet. And a non pwm nidec will be louder then a pwm as well as a 2150RPM version over a 1850rpm.

However that gives the OP that much more potential to rise RPM on fan and generate more static if needed especially in the case of a high fpi radiator.

 

[lehtv]

Sure, FPI plays a role, PWM plays a role, yadda yadda. I was responding to your claim that GT's are undisputed best. If it's best only on "most radiators" (which you failed to back up with links which show comparisons to the Venturi) or on high FPI radiators and for people who focus on performance rather than low noise operation, then it's hardly undisputed.

 

[aigomorla]

Sure, FPI plays a role, PWM plays a role, yadda yadda. I was responding to your claim that GT's are undisputed best. If it's best only on "most radiators" (which you failed to back up with links which show comparisons to the Venturi) or on high FPI radiators and for people who focus on performance rather than low noise operation, then it's hardly undisputed.

That is how martin tested his fan clearly documented unlike the link you gave.
https://martinsliquidlab.wordpress....sting-bitfenixnoctuasilenxnoiseblockerphobya/

I can go on and on about testing from places but i'll stop because there are a lot of good testers while there are a lot of bad testers who fail to mention there exact testing methodology.

Also its not just Skinnee and Martin who both said the nidec fan has no equal. If you remember a elite named Rubycon, she is states that the nidec fan has no equal.

Unless the fan has a brand new blade geometry which is outside the norms and something which i haven't seen, i will have a hard time believing that it is better then a GT.