Quiet fans for my Tsunami?

[drpootums]

I know my Tsunami isn't exactly quiet, but it never really bothered me much. I started to think that next time i build my computer I might just get a new case anyways so i would just stay with the fans I have now. However, now (being i decided not to step up to water cooling next time I build) I decided to stick with my Tsunami.


To lower noise and improve cooling I have a few ideas.

The first is fans. I think the rear fan in my case is fine, but the side 90mm and front 120mm fans are louder than they should be (and they are closer to me). What would be good fans to replace those with? I would like close to the same airflow, but with less noise. I looked into Panaflo's, but there are so many models I got confused....

Next, I'm not sure if these will make a big difference so feedback would be really appreciated. I am thinking of cutting out a square in the plastic cover that is right in front of the front 120mm fan to improve airflow. The plastic cover that is right behind the door has a few little vents for the fan, but I dont think that that is enough.

Also, I'm thinking of cutting the stock fan grills out and replacing them with less restrictive fan grills.


Please let me know what fans you would choose and if the case mods i mentioned would really be worth it for the amount of work i'd put into it. Also, if you have any other suggestions i could do to improve cooling/reduce noise it would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks!

 

[drpootums]

anyone?

 

[zagood]

Cutting out grilles - always a good idea. I picked up these at Radio Shack, the shape is perfect to fit in between grille holes:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index...ters&kw=wire+cutters&parentPage=search

A dremel or other cutting tool is much faster and cleaner, but if you don't have one on hand, these get the job done with a little effort.

Fans - Check to see if you'll be able to fit 92x38mm and 120x38mm fans in your case, then search through these forums. There are some excellent recommendations on many different threads.

EDIT: okay...for the front...
1) Cut out the main grille in front of the fan here:
http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/cases/Tt_Tsunami/1009.html

2) Cut out two vertical rectangles following the slits, or the whole area in front of the fan on the inner bezel here:
http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/cases/Tt_Tsunami/1006.html

3) Don't cut a big hole in the front plastic bezel. It'll seriously look horrible if you cut it because of the "wave" design.

An option might be to cut out a square area and mount Modder's Mesh or even something more flexible in it's place. Bend it so that it follows the curves of the door. That would look pretty sweet.

Another option might be to cut the front slits just a little bigger.

-z

 

[drpootums]

I know the 92x38 can fit, but i dont think the 120x38 will fit in the front (the HDD rack blocks it).

I know that a lot of threads recommend different fans, but I see a lot of recommendations based on noise alone, so I was just thinking someone would recommend a good "middle of the road" fan (quieter than stock, but still good airflow)


But thanks a lot on the case-cutting answers!

 

[drpootums]

Originally posted by: zagood

EDIT: wait on this one, I forgot it's the Tsunami. I may have another idea or two.
As far as cutting the plastic, yes, it's a good idea, just make sure you cut cleanly since you're going to be looking at it.

....alright, I'm WAITING!!!!

lol, just kidding

 

[zagood]

edited post...

My personal recommendations, I'm sure people will jump in with more. I wouldn't get the Nexus 120 that some people might recommend, I just don't think it has the CFM that you need for an exhaust fan.

92x38mm:

Delta Triple Blade Low Speed:
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/de92trbllows.html
Undervolt that puppy and you'll be very happy.

120x25mm:

ChinaFlo L1 (no tach wire):
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/...=product_info&cPath=49&products_id=876

Scythe S-Flex 1600:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/...product_info&cPath=49&products_id=4073

I wasn't big into Scythe fans before today, I just got one in the mail, haven't installed it but I'm drooling. NewEgg, Perf-PCs and FrostyTech have them in hand, but they're not online yet:
http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/acc/011/sy1025sl12x_detail.html

If you can find one of those, I'd recommend it over the Delta for a 92mm application.

-z

 

[dunkster]

My case ventilation fans are two Panaflo M1A 120mm fans, both running at 7V for sustained flow of about 50CFM (estimated). It took some internal modding to mount the 38mm-thickness fans: Rear-vent fan is on the outside of the case and my hard drive cage is removed to accomodate the front intake Panaflo. The drive cage was one of those side-mount cages, which was restrictive for air flow, so it had to go anyway.

Both fans are vibration-decoupled. They're not 'silent', but fan noise is barely audible.

Side-vent is taped over. This improved front-to-back air flow, lowered hard drive operating temps and lowered case noise noticeably.

CPU cooler fan is 92mm Panaflo M1A at 12V. Good cooling, barely audible. Tried several 92mm fans, but the Panaflo 92mm M1a had best combination of cooling with low audibility.

Be careful about mixing fans with unequalo flow-rates. A single Panaflo M1A produces more air flow than when mixed with a low-flow 'silent' fan in series flow path. The low-flow fan restricts air flow.

Both front and rear case grills are gone (diagonal-cutting plier and dremel). Front-bezel intake grill is gone. Standard intake filter removed, replaced with pleated furnace filter media with excellent dust-trapping and imperceptible flow restriction.

Typical idle CPU/system temps are 30/30 at idle, 39/35 at Prime95 Small FFT torture test, running a 3700+ at 11X250.

Case is I-Star Nitro AX. I love the looks of the case, but I don't really recommend it for those who are uncomfortable with internal modding.

I read a ton of case reviews, concluding that just about every case will require some degree of modding to produce good cooling with low audibility.

Hope this helps!

 

[drpootums]

Alright, thanks for the help so far. Here's what i've come up with:

Fan speed controller:
http://store.yahoo.com/svcompucycle/a2140.html

Side fan:
http://store.yahoo.com/svcompucycle/pahywabefb.html

Rear fan (wish it was blue LED like mine tho ) :
http://store.yahoo.com/svcompucycle/fba12g12m1a.html


I'm also thinking about getting a NV Silencer 5 rev. 3 but i'm not too crazy about voiding my warrenty....

Anyways, any imput on my choices would be appreciated, and thanks for all of the help so far!