Vantec Stealth Fans/Themalright AX-7 after action report: I am not impressed

[MichaelD]

I feel it is my duty as an Anandtech Certified Hardware Nut (ACHN) to report my findings.

Previously, I posted this thread about measuring the DB level of my case w/a DB Meter.

I ordered a bunch of Vantec Stealth Fans (allegedly 21db fans) and a Thermalright AX-7 heatsink. I planned on using one of the Vantecs on the AX-7.

My results are less than impressive, especially on the noise part. My current decibel reading, measurement taken the exact same way as before, is 62.5db, so it went UP half a db, which is negligible.

I am not AT ALL impressed with these Stealth fans. When run out of the case, i.e. sitting on the counter in my kitchen, they do seem a lot quieter than the stock Antec fans that came with the case, but once installed, it sounds exactly the same as any other fan...loud.

My temps are a different story. (1800XP) I went from a GlobalWin FOP 32-1 w/a YS Tech 5,000 rpm fan to a Thermalright AX-7 w/a Stealth fan on it. My idle temps dropped by 3C, which is good. My load temps are the same though, 48-49C, but they seem to drop much more quickly once the load is removed than they did with the FOP. Obviously, a function of the much greater mass of the AX-7's HS.

The case overall does have a LOWER PITCH to the noise it's making...probably due to no fan inside being faster than 2,100rpm...but being that the DB level is the same as before, I don't know how much of a diff that lower pitch makes.

I may replace the 2,100rpm/27cfm Stealth Fan on the CPU HS with a 2600rpm/34cfm Antec case fan that I already have...noise change would be negligible and cooling would be marginally better, I suppose.

So overall, I have come to two conclusions:

1. The $23 spent on the AX-7 was money well-spent
2. The $62.50 spent on 10 Vantec Stealth fans was a complete and utter waste of money

I will hold onto them though...at least I won't have to buy any case fans in the near future.

Being that these fans are rated at 21db, I will never waste money again on any allegedly quiet fans like Panaflos, etal. 21db's my foot.

End of report.

 

[Insane3D]

Sorry to hear your project didn't go as planned. Here's a couple things to consider. You may want to try to sell your Stealth fans in FS/FT as these are very popular fans. Also, the pressure the fan is operating at affects the noise. For instance, if you are trying to force air down through the smaller hole on a 60mm --> 80mm fan adaptor, the fan will be louder (higher pressure) than if it was held in your hand (low pressure). I would give the Panaflo's a try, and maybe try to cut down on the number of fans you are running. You can have the quietest fan around, but if you run 10 of them together..it will still be loud. While you may be cutting down on the noise from the fans themselves, the noise of the moving air is probably not reduced all that much.

Try a few different combo's, use Prime 95 to heat up your CPU, and track your temps. You may find that it's possible to let your CPU run hotter, but still have stability. I've seen Tbirds run in the mid 70's (C) without a hiccup...the cores are rated up to 95C, so even in the 70's, while high, you are still well within the accepted limits of the core.

 

[MichaelD]

Hiya buddy,
Good suggestions there. The AX-7 is a huge heatsink. It is made to take an 80mm fan...the HS itself is actually 80mm x 80mm..big sucka.

While you may be cutting down on the noise from the fans themselves, the noise of the moving air is probably not reduced all that much

I think that is my problem...like I said, the pitch is lower, but the air noise is the same.

I have contemplated running only two case fans instead of four, but can't decide whether to run one intake/one exhaust or two exhaust with no intake.

I have two Antec 1040 cases (main rig and server) so far, I've only replaced the fans on the main rig.

I am very skeptical about spending any more money on fans. After all, the Panaflos are rated at 21db too...and look what happened with the 21db Vantecs...

 

[Insane3D]

How is your system setup? Is it on the floor, or up on a table or desk? The Antec SX cases are known to be "louder" than other cases...mostly due to them being so open. The whole front pratically, as well as two exhaust holes in the back let all the noise that usually stays in the case right on out. It's the tradeoff for the excellent cooling properties of those cases. I've tried a few experiments with my SX cases. Give me a little more info as to how the system is setup and I'll try to give you a few ideas on where to go from here..

 

[MichaelD]

OK.

You obviously are very familiar w/the SX cases; they are wide open, especially in the front. Airflow is not a problem at all.

My main rig sits about 18 inches off the floor. It's in a cubby hole, in my computer desk. The front and the rear of the cubby are wide open. Meaning there is nothing blocking either the front, or the rear of the case. The exhaust vents of the case are about 6 inches from a wall, but 6 inches is plenty of room, I'd imagine.

My apt is maintained at 75-78F.

The case itself is very well (IMO) laid out inside. I have regular IDE cables, but they are wire-tied with the utmost of care. They are completely out of the airflow path.

I have two HDs and a GF3/NIC/soundcard in the case.

I think I've done basically everything I can to enhance cooling...I may just have to live with it.

 

[Insane3D]

I am going to suggest you go in a different direction. I think from your description of how your system is setup, you are going way overkill on cooling. It appears you are not o/cing your 1800+ XP (Money Pit), so I think you would be fine with only one exhaust fan. I would suggest you give this a try...

First, remove all your case fans except the upper rear exhaust (right below the PSU). Use a Stealth fan here if you are not already. Second, I would cover the second rear exhaust hole with something that will seal it off..duct tape or something similar should work. By covering up the second rear exhaust hole, you will force the incoming air to flow in through the front. Now, since you are going to have two exhaust fans, the PSU and the Stealth in the rear, you will be able to get away without any intake fans. The case will have two fans exhausting the hot air..at the highest point which is perfect. The simple action of the exaust will pull air in through the open front without a intake fan, but at a much lower velocity.

Think of it this way. In the summer in my condo, it get's very hot up on the second floor, for obvious reasons. The basement stays very cool since it is below ground, and it has no real sunlight coming in to heat it up during the day. So, to cool off the upstairs, I open my bulkhead down cellar, and put a fan in the second story window, on the opposite side of the house, blowing out. This simple action exhausts the hot air out of the upstairs, and pulls fresh air in downstairs in the basement, cools it, and carries the cool air upstairs. There is a decent breeze going through the house when I do this. Your case will do the exact same thing. It's also known as cross ventilation.

Another thing you could try, is to maybe block half of the front opening with something, this should increase the velocity of the incoming air a little but more, while cutting down on noise too. I also see in your system description that you have a 400W Antec PSU, are you using the stock fan in the PSU? I ask this since the 400W, single fan Antec comes with a very annoying and loud ADDA fan that likes to speed up and slow down constantly depending on system load. You might want to consider switching it out for a Vantec Stealth running a constant full speed. It'a an easy mod if you want to give it a try.

Give that some thought and see what you think..

 

[MichaelD]

Wow! Thanks very much for the big-time detailed explanation/instructions.

It all sounds very good and promising. Only thing that concerns me are my HDs. I have two, running RAID 0. They do get warm. Currently, they have an 80mm fan sitting right in their cage (one of the cooler features of the SX cases...). Do you think they'd overheat with no fan on them? I do realize that air would be pulled thru the cage, via the rear exhaust fan...just wondering.

You are also correct about the PS; it's the 400watter with the Adda fan in there. How difficult is it to swap the fan? The PS looks like it's riveted closed, not screwed closed.

Thanks so much for your time; it's appreciated.

 

[Pabster]

IMHO, you are wasting your time and money. If I had to even consider dropping $65 on fans, I'd look at my rig and do something else. You'd be better off migrating to the P4 platform if heat and noise are your primary concern. The retail Intel HS/F is very, very quiet and capable of cooling an extreme overclock without a hiccup. Then again, maybe you will continue purchasing HS/F assemblies and "quiet" fans. Whatever floats your boat.

 

[MichaelD]

Hey Pabster,

That thought has crossed my mind more than once. But back in Feb when I built this rig, P4's and their associated parts were hideously expensive. If I was building a rig today, P4 would be the way I would go.

I want to give Insane's ideas a shot, though. I used to be all hell-bent on cooling...it took two years, but now all the fans seriuosly get on my nerves. :| You know what I mean?

How many fans do you have in your rig?

 

[Insane3D]

I wouldn't worry too much about the HD's unless your case temp was real high, which it shouldn't be in that case. When they design the HD's they expect them to be used in joe average's computer, with maybe one case fan if they are lucky. I would just keep them as clear as possible from obstructions so they can have air circulate around them. You really just want to avoid "hot spots". The one thing I would suggest i maybe making sure they aren't mounted right on top of each other. In the SX series cases, the HD cage will fit three HD's each. I prefer to mount one in the top spot, and the other in the bottom spot to allow for better air circulation in between them.

As far as the PSU, it's very easy to do. The power supply shell comes apart via 4 small screws on the top (or bottom depending on how you look at it). Once you remove these, the top of the shell will be easily removed. The fan should be attached via four standard fan screws. Remove them, and unplug the fan from it's two pin connector to remove it completely. Install the stealth fan like the ADDA fan was mounted. Make sure you check your airflow direction is set to blow out. From this point, you have a couple options. You can either cut off the three pin connector, run the wires through the PSU shell and splice it into a 4 pin connector, or remove the three pin connector on the end without cutting the wires, run the wires through the shell to the outside of the PSU, re-install the three pin connector, and plug it into a mobo connector to keep tabs on it's RPM. You also can connect it where the old fan was connected, but it will be speed controlled like the other one was that way. I prefer to just let the fan run full speed. I did the second method on mine. Switched it out with a Panaflo, removed the connector on the end, ran the wires through, re-installed the end connector, and plugged it into the mobo.

It's really very easy and I can walk you through if you need me too.

 

[MichaelD]

I prefer to mount one in the top spot, and the other in the bottom spot to allow for better air circulation in between them.

That's exactly how I have them. Don't all the cool people mount them this way?

Thanks for the instructions on the PS. I have never taken one out of the case before, so I didn't know that it had four screws holding the lid on. I can handle it from there. Thanks for the detailed options on how to take care of the fan issue.

Have you had any probs w/your PS since the swap?

Also, what do you think about two exhaust fans (as opposed to just one?) and no intake fans. Thanks.

 

[Insane3D]

That's exactly how I have them. Don't all the cool people mount them this way?

Well Duuuuuhhhh!

Have you had any probs w/your PS since the swap?

Not a one.

Also, what do you think about two exhaust fans (as opposed to just one?) and no intake fans. Thanks.

I would try the one intake fan only first like I suggested. If you see some instability creep in, or your case temps get's super hot, then add a second one. Remember, your PSU is acting as an exhaust too... Less is more..

Have fun..and feel free to drop me a PM if you have any ?'s...

 

[MichaelD]

Youaretheman!

 

[Lucky]

<shakes head>

I told you they were louder than they claimed. Even showed you the threads were people said they hated them too!

Sorry that the money went to waste.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Lucky
<shakes head>

I told you they were louder than they claimed. Even showed you the threads were people said they hated them too!

Sorry that the money went to waste.

Yes, yes you did....I am a rockhead. All is not lost, though. I want to give the one case fan thing a shot. Also, look at it this way; I'll never have to buy another 80mm case fan again!!! <----being optimistic to keep from bawling eyes out.

 

[Lucky]

yeah, i wouldnt worry too much. on a semi-related note, I went to RS yesterday to look at their decibel meters and they only goto 50db. Is that the lowest yours goes too? Do you find that a common limitation?

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Lucky
yeah, i wouldnt worry too much. on a semi-related note, I went to RS yesterday to look at their decibel meters and they only goto 50db. Is that the lowest yours goes too? Do you find that a common limitation?

50db is louder than you might think. Regular human speech is about 70db.

Also, the VU meter on the RS meters is -10 0 +6 db. IOW, the meter will read from 40db to 56db on the 50db setting. THere is now way that any PC only runs at 40db...unless it has not a single fan at all, not even a PS fan.

 

[Lucky]

Odd, the RS one I saw only had a dial down to 60 with a -10 "adjustment". Maybe I'll get it anyways. Thanks.

 

[Conroy9]

MichaelD -
Every time I complain about my Vantec stealth fans being too loud, people say that they have to be run for about a week to let break them in. After this week, the fans will allegedly quiet down.

I haven't had time to test mine, but you should try that

Check the cases and cooling forum for more talk about this stuff
You might want to check http://www.silentpcreview.com also.

Edit:
There's a thread about vantec fans in the C&C forum

about your fan locations, i've read that it's generally better to not have more exhaust than intake, because then air may get sucked through places where you don't want it, e.g. drives and other openings without air filters. That could make the inside of your case more dusty and possibly cause problems with your drives.

 

[MCS]

MichaelD, some good suggestions here! Be VERY careful about sticking your hand inside your PSU though...that could solve your fan noise problem forever...

What I would personally do is try each fan in turn and see which ones are making the most noise. Work from there.

The simple action of the exaust will pull air in through the open front without a intake fan, but at a much lower velocity.

If he does this Insane, his case will quickly fill with dust, as the rear fan(s) will suck air through all of the cracks in the front, just a suggestion...

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks for the info, Conroy9. I have no filters on any of my cases. I open the cases every few months and vacuum them out. My apt is very dusty, so this is a necessity.

AS far as the break-in goes...I am skeptical, at best. You have them...you know how they sound.

I am wondering though if it is the sound of rushing air that is making all the noise, as when I ran the Stealth fan on my kitchen counter (I have a 12V DC power supply) it was very quiet.

I am going to try two case fans. One in front, mounted in the HD cage and one in the back, right under the PS. I am going to duck tape off the second rear exhaust hole.

I'll do that and see what happens *smells smoke and charred wiring* <---hopefully not! :Q

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: MCS
MichaelD, some good suggestions here! Be VERY careful about sticking your hand inside your PSU though...that could solve your fan noise problem forever...

What I would personally do is try each fan in turn and see which ones are making the most noise. Work from there.

The simple action of the exaust will pull air in through the open front without a intake fan, but at a much lower velocity.

If he does this Insane, his case will quickly fill with dust, as the rear fan(s) will suck air through all of the cracks in the front, just a suggestion...

Hey my bud!!! I was thinking along those lines...my case already fills with dust as it is...but only where the fans are, mostly. I am going to try two case fans. One intake, one exhaust and see what happens. If I could cut the current noise level by a third, that would be great. Not too optimistic, am I?

 

[Conroy9]

Insane: what kind of case temp would you be comfortable with? (Is that the same as the motherboard temp measured by ASusprobe?)

AS far as the break-in goes...I am skeptical, at best. You have them...you know how they sound.

Unfortunately, i know exactly what you're saying. I'm skeptical too, but I guess i'll throw them into my second computer and see if they get better after awhile. The vantec right now are worse than both the panaflo and the original fans that came with my case (YS-tech i think)

It's possible that we're having different kinds of noise, since what bothers me is a low humming sound..

 

[Pabster]

MichaelD wrote:

"How many fans do you have in your rig?"

2. Both of them are 80mm Papst 8412NGL (12dB). I've got a Silencer 80mm fitted in my Antec 400W. Absolutely silent and I'm doing 2.72GHz. The best of both worlds

 

[BD231]

Fans get louder on a Heatsink and that's a known fact. All you have to do is 7volt mod you case fans and you *WILL* have a quite system. A bunch of 21db fan's make a crap load of noise and any avrage joe can figure that if you combine them noise will jump considerably. I use 4 28dba fans and 7volt mod them, I cant even hear them.

How to 7 volt mod