quiet CPU, case fans & OCing

[aldente]

A few questions for you quiet PC enthusiasts?

I am trying to build a ?quiet? overclocked system. Sounds like an oxymoron doesn?t it? The system is planned to be:

EPoX 8K5A2+, OC?d FSB to 333
512MB DDR333 PC 2700 SDRAM
Antec performance plus 1080 (probably 3 fans min. on case)
Athlon XP 1600+ OC?d towards 1.74Ghz
128MB TI4200, ABIT or Gainward (maybe OC?d)

The questions I have are regarding all the cooling fans I?m going to need. For the CPU HS, I?m leaning toward the $28 Thermalright AX-7 (because it?s a little cheaper than PAL 8045 $35). Now for the CPU fan?I?ve read several reviews about the Orix and Papst fans, which seem to be quiet, and good coolers. On the AT forums though, people seem to like the Panaflo (and Enermax 80mm variable speed) fans a lot. Why do you like panaflo? I haven?t been able to find a good Panaflo or Enermax NOISE review and comparison though. Anybody know of one? I would like to see how the Orix, Papst, Panaflo and enermax stack up against each other for noise and cooling. The AT cooling roundup review is one year old.

For the CPU fan, I?m leaning towards orix, panaflo or papst. For the case fans I?m thinking about all Panaflo. Does this sound ok? Less noise is better for me.

Quiet fan models (did I get these right?) and prices (include shipping) ?
------------------------------
Panaflo FBA08A12L (orL1A?) - $10
Orix (anyone know model #?) - $ can?t find price
Papst 8412NGL ? 80mm - $19
Enermax 80mm - $ can?t find price
Coolermaster DAF-B82 var spd - $20

 

[chopstxxx]

if you want a quiet system and want to save yourself some cash I'd recommend using these NMB fans for your case. They're only 2 bucks and have almost the same specs as the panaflo L1A's. On your heatsink I'd use this Y.S.-tech variable speed fan. At its quietest I can barely hear it and it allows to adjust the airflow depending on how heavily you are using your cpu. They also carry the AX-7 for 25 bucks there so you can get everything in one place. I have 4 of the NMB fans and the YS-tech fan on my SK-6 in an Antec sx-1000 and I get idle temps of 35 with my T-bird and the noise of the fans is less than that of my harddrive.

 

[AT]

In my opinion the Enermax adjustable 80mm fan is not that quiet even on the lowest setting. My reference point for a silent fan is 12dB Papst and next to that it doesn't stand a chance.

However the 92mm Enermax seems much better and has found a place in my system.

 

[aldente]

AT, are you OCing your CPU while using the papst fan and everything is ok? If so, I will also get the papst fan. I crave a quiet PC and am willing to spend some money for quiet fans. This review said the papst fan was not a great choice for OC'ed CPUs. I plan on OCing my Athlon XP 1600+ towards 1.74Ghz.

Are you using the 92mm Enermax as a case fan?

 

[AT]

Originally posted by: aldente
AT, are you OCing your CPU while using the papst fan and everything is ok? If so, I will also get the papst fan. I crave a quiet PC and am willing to spend some money for quiet fans. This review said the papst fan was not a great choice for OC'ed CPUs. I plan on OCing my Athlon XP 1600+ towards 1.74Ghz.

No, I'm not overclocking but I believe my CPU 1.4GHz TB generates the most heat out of AMD CPUs at default settings. I'm using Alpha 8045 to go with the 12dB Papst and it is at steady 48C.

Also pay attention to what version of Papst fan people are talking as there are different versions of Papst fans that with CFM and dBA rates. Call me crazy but somehow the noise generated by Papst fans seem less annoying than some other manufacturers fans even when they are rated for the same dBA.

This is good list of different fan specs. I'd say for you 8412NGML or 8412NGM might be good compromise between noise and CFM. Even the NGM which I have in my other system isn't that noisy. All I can hear from that system is the hard drive.

Are you using the 92mm Enermax as a case fan?

Yup, the Enermax 92mm is my case (my only case fan) blowing out right next to the CPU.