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Replacement 120mm fan for an old zalman cnps10x

Are there better lower cost options?

  • Yes

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Your nuts live with what you have and wear ear plugs.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    1
  • Poll closed .

markrb38

Senior member
I know that since I first purchased this cooler many years ago (a guess would be 8 years) originally for my E8400 and now has since been moved to my 3570k and it might, but probably not (as I don't think I have the ability to use the new socket with this version) move to my, possible, next upgrade of an 8700k that fan technology has moved past this old boy. Although it still spins fine I am finding my old ears just don't want the noise at the temperatures I also want. That leads me to what are the options for the fans out there now that have that magic that we are all looking for. The combination of price and performance? Honestly I am just not willing to put out $20 on a fan that might be used at full capacity for 6 to 8 months, but under $15 would be OK. I have read plenty of reviews on fans lately, but they all appear to be case fan / open air type reviews and I know that what makes a good case fan doesn't always make a good heat sink fan. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and if there just isn't anything out there in the price range then there isn't and I will live with what I have.

Thank You for taking to the time to read this,
Mark
 
It's been a long time since I bought fans. I built my current 3570k system in July 2012. I have a Scythe Mugen 3 Rev B cooler on it that came with with a 120mm Scythe 1900 RPM fan that I typically have running at under 500 RPM. I bought another of the 120mm Slipstream fans for the case that runs at about 700 RPM. They're pretty damned near silent at those speeds.
 
It doesn't meet the "lower cost" criterion, but if you want a stellar performer at 120mm, try a Noctua A12x25.
 
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