Switching to quiet fans...Worth it?

[FlasHBurN]

I currently have 3 sunon 32cfm(?) fans occupying my Supermicro 750a front panel, but was looking for some quieter fans, but I was wondering would it just be cheaper and just as effective to buy/make a fanbus to control the voltages from 12v to 7v to lessen the speed/noise? Let me know your input on this fellow anandtech'ers!

 

[NutBucket]

You're probably better off using POTs to quiet those fans. that way you can crank 'em when you need extra cooling, UT, Q3, etc.

 

[FlasHBurN]

Probably get smacked around for asking this, but whats a POT?
thanks

 

[FlasHBurN]

?

 

[skriefal]

Potentiometer?

 

[FlasHBurN]

and exactly wtf is that?

 

[Marauder-]

yeah, I'd like to know as well.

 

[OC-Freak]

A potentiometer is a resistor that could be adjusted to different resistances. And by doing it this way you could get full control over your voltage to the fans. It's possible to adjust the voltage from 0v to 12v....stepless......

 

[FlasHBurN]

Ahh ok cool, so where would I buy one of those at?

 

[BLoop]

Go to Cliff's Fanbus for a tutorial. You can also pick one up at Radio Shack.

 

[FlasHBurN]

Thanks again!

 

[Jhhnn]

Pulse width modulation can also be used to control fan speed. These guys sell an inexpensive kit that should handle several fans, I am getting too curious to avoid ordering one much longer...$15 minimum order.

MPJA