Panaflo L1A versus Silencer

[dorkface]

I am planning on building a new rig with all 80mm Panaflo L1A's or with the 80mm Silencer fans.

Silencer: 28CFM @ 20dBA
Panaflo: 24CFM @ 21dBA

Based on the specs, it seems the Silencer would be the better way to go (don't care about price differences). Can anyone confirm this from experience?

BTW...is that Silencer fan by any chance the same fan that is sold by www.quietpc.com?

 

[kzochert]

If money is no object to you then silencers are the way to go!

Just a reminder though, silencers are about $ 20, while panaflos are like $2.49. You are looking at a difference of $17 for an extra 4 cfm and 1 dba quieter.

 

[Phunktion]

The silencers only put out that 28 when they aren't under lots of pressure so they are fine for case cooling or PSU's.. L1A's would work better under pressure so they would be fine on a heatsink or case cooling with strong negative pressure..

Silencers are $9 and L1A's are $2.49 and I don't care what you say that counts for a lot because you can buy some extra L1A's to replace any that might happen to fail (which would take years upon years).. and instead of paying so much for fans you could spice up your case with a window + cathode with the money you save over the Silencers..

Either way if money is no issue get the Silencers because they are quieter regardless..

But you could also consider buying those blue/pink Enermax adjustable fans so in the summer you could dial up to a higher speed when needed (also nice to at least have one for a heatsink like the Alpha 8035)

 

[dorkface]

Thanks for the feedback guys. BTW...where did you find Silencers for $9 ?

 

[hmsrolst]

I use Silencers--they're available at PC Power and Cooling:

Silencers

They're $9 shipped.

 

[NeoMadHatter]

if you have the money i'd get the silencers. i would but i don't have the money so i got the panaflos. but silencers all the way if you got the money.

 

[menderchuck]

or Papst 80mm 19dba 26cfm..... www.plycon.com

out of stock though... argh

 

[kzochert]

Sorry, I was thinking of papst fans when I said that they were $20.

 

[kgraeme]

Where are you finding Panaflo for $2.49? I look around places like 2coolTek and Plycon and they are $9-$13.

 

[caenus]

I've seen the panaflo 80mm at bgmicro.com for $2.49 - but haven't ordered any yet. Do a search for panaflo and they will show up. Any one ever order from bgmicro?

 

[MistaTastyCakes]

I've ordered from bgmicro.com and then drove down there (I live about 30 mins away) and getting those Panaflos were some of the best $12.45 I've spent on my PC yet. I'm pretty sure they're reliable, as they cater to a few DFW businesses, being an all around electronics store. They're pretty popular for these fans too..

 

[dorkface]

Well...I got the Silencer fan from Directron, and was able to compare it to the Panaflo. Obviously this is all based on my personal perception. The Silencer is a hair quieter than the Panaflo, but I am quite certain the Panaflo moves more air, despite the fact that the Silencer has a higher CFM rating. At 7V, the Panaflo is hardly audible and still moves a little bit of air, but the Silencer is pretty much useless at 7V.

Also, the Panaflo has a tiny bit of a whine to it compared to the Silencer, but when you compare it to the whine of other fans (e.g. Papst, Sunon), the Panaflo is nicely quiet.

I am going to use the Panaflo for my CPU cooler, the Silencer for case fans.

 

[herbage11]

The thing that I did not like about Bgmicro is the fact I could not get the shipping price before entering payment details. I was affraid they would tack on $10-15 shipping then it would not be such a good deal. Has anyone ordered and had them shipped and know there rates? Fans at that price cannot go wrong but between needing the 4 pin adapters also and not knowing shipping I am still happy getting my 3 for $22.

 

[Lower]

This link to Anandtech Reseller ratings, seems to show that their shipping is of an average cost.

 

[lordbob99]

<< The thing that I did not like about Bgmicro is the fact I could not get the shipping price before entering payment details. I was affraid they would tack on $10-15 shipping then it would not be such a good deal. Has anyone ordered and had them shipped and know there rates? Fans at that price cannot go wrong but between needing the 4 pin adapters also and not knowing shipping I am still happy getting my 3 for $22. >>



herbage11,

if you do a little searching on their site, u'll see that they charge like $6 shipping for under a certain weight. i ordered 10 when they were $1.99 each, and was charged this amount. can't complain getting these awesome fans for under $3 a pop.

lordbob99

 

[herbage11]

Thanks Lord and Lower...I guess I could have gone w/ Bgmicro and most likely been happy but I was a little leary about them. Oh well. Thanks for the info. I'll know now for next time.