*POLL* Same CFM, same dbA - diff b/t sleeve and ball bearing fans?

[MichaelD]

Dont' tell me one has balls and one doesn't.

Traditionally, ball bearing fans have greater reliability, right?

I'm building a new rig and I happen to have two each, 80mm Antec Sleeve Bearing fans and 80mm Antec Ball Bearing Fans. Which to use?

 

[yhelothar]

well of course sleeve bearings.. they should be quieter.. even if they are rated the same

they should be cheaper...

 

[mechBgon]

Lifespan is generally shorter on the sleeve-bearing ones. There are some really fine sleeve-bearing fans out there, however... Nidec, Papst, and technically Panaflo (oil-bath sleeve bearing). I think it's safe to assume the Antec sleeve-bearing case fans aren't in that class and if you were going to use two fans then I would go with the ball-bearing ones as long as they run at the airflow/noise level you like.

 

[ssanches]

I voted ball bearing, and make sure that's doube ball bearing, and not 1 ball & 1 sleeve.

Ball bearing fans last longer. Although sleeve bearings are quieter, they can become very noisy if the seal wears out due to friction, and most cheap ones do so after some time.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks guys. Balls it is.

 

[ssanches]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Thanks guys. Balls it is.

Make sure there's 2 of them ....ahem, double ball bearing