Vantec Tornado question

[Spike]

Originally posted by: Operandi
Enermax is globe, the only ones that compare to Panaflows are the fans that use sleeve bearings.

Operandi just has it out for the Enermax fans. As I have said before, my Enermax 120mm pushes more air for less noise than my Panaflo M1a. There are two drawbacks with the Enermax for me. First is the price, I paid $12 for the Enermax and $8 for the Panaflo, not a big deal but still there. Second is build quaility, the Panaflo looks better built than the Enermax. I have used cheaper looking fans than the Enermax that lasted me 4 years, so cheaper-looking does not always mean much.

I vote for the enermax fans...

-spike

 

[akira34]

So, how would you rate this fan?? Looks like more air at the same top end db... So, MAYBE I'll see slighlty lower temps at the same sound level...

As I said, I'm on a quest... :beer:

 

[Tiamat]

I rate that fan pretty good if you can get it for a decent price, but no better than the panaflo. It is as loud or maybe a lil louder than your H1A on full blast. On medium blast it is like the M1A. On low flow, it doesnt move much air.

I havent done any research on comparison between SLK948U and XP90. If it turns out good, you might be able to get an XP90 and L1A 92mm panaflo for same temperature but less noise. I know you probably cannot fit an XP120 in your case (sweet case though).

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: akira34
So, how would you rate this fan?? Looks like more air at the same top end db... So, MAYBE I'll see slighlty lower temps at the same sound level...

As I said, I'm on a quest... :beer:

I have the 120mm version of that and I really like it. Quieter than my M1A on ALL voltages (7 - 12) and moves more air if the back-of-the-hand air test is at all accurate...

I assume the 92mm will perform similarly to the 120mm. The biggest issue I had was wrapping the stupid built-in variable resistor around the fan casing to keep it out of the way. Other than that I LOVE it.

-spike

 

[akira34]

How long before your 'research' is done?? As for fitting the XP-120 into my case, Thermalright lists my mobo as 'okay' for the XP-120... unless it hangs over the edges of the mobo, it will fit inside my case.

As for the fans, the enermax has more CFM at the same db as the H1 I'm using. I don't have any measure as to what the db and CFM are for the H1 when controlled by the bios, so that could be a lot lower than the enermax fan.

I'm not finding the L1A fan at my normal sources/vendors... I'm really not ready to line up yet another one, at this time. Especially since they do have fans that have good spec's on them at decent prices.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: akira34
How long before your 'research' is done?? As for fitting the XP-120 into my case, Thermalright lists my mobo as 'okay' for the XP-120... unless it hangs over the edges of the mobo, it will fit inside my case.

As for the fans, the enermax has more CFM at the same db as the H1 I'm using. I don't have any measure as to what the db and CFM are for the H1 when controlled by the bios, so that could be a lot lower than the enermax fan.

I'm not finding the L1A fan at my normal sources/vendors... I'm really not ready to line up yet another one, at this time. Especially since they do have fans that have good spec's on them at decent prices.

Is this your mobo?: http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NjA3

If it is, looks like you should be fine, since the CPU socket is in the center of the mobo. I was thinking that you had a mobo with the socket towards the top of the mobo - which the XP120 would overlap.

I guess if you dont mind forking for the XP120, this plus Enermax 120mm with the variable resistor might be your solution. This is assuming the Enermax 120mm ramp down as nicely as the 92mm version.

"Research" = I havent read any reviews comparing the two.

As for your NB - it is passively cooled right? If it is, then you should be fine. Otherwise, if it has a 40mm fan, you will be annoyed. I believe you have a passively cooled NB though,.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: akira34
How long before your 'research' is done?? As for fitting the XP-120 into my case, Thermalright lists my mobo as 'okay' for the XP-120... unless it hangs over the edges of the mobo, it will fit inside my case.

As for the fans, the enermax has more CFM at the same db as the H1 I'm using. I don't have any measure as to what the db and CFM are for the H1 when controlled by the bios, so that could be a lot lower than the enermax fan.

I'm not finding the L1A fan at my normal sources/vendors... I'm really not ready to line up yet another one, at this time. Especially since they do have fans that have good spec's on them at decent prices.

Is this your mobo?: http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NjA3

If it is, looks like you should be fine, since the CPU socket is in the center of the mobo. I was thinking that you had a mobo with the socket towards the top of the mobo - which the XP120 would overlap.

I guess if you dont mind forking for the XP120, this plus Enermax 120mm with the variable resistor might be your solution. This is assuming the Enermax 120mm ramp down as nicely as the 92mm version.

"Research" = I havent read any reviews comparing the two.

Yes, the 120mm ramps down very nicely. I have not tried using the built-in variable resisiter, I stick with the fan controller. I believe the built in one is from 8-12v, though I could be wrong.

-spike

 

[akira34]

That is the board... All the reviews that I read on it, before purchasing it, gave stellar reviews. I also like the fact that the SATA RAID can have four drives on a singlle array... Eventually, I'll replace the two 160GB drives with another pair of WD 250's and be at the TB level.

I just looked at the 120mm Enermax...
Air Flow: 63 - 94.9 CFM
Noise Level: 24.6 - 30.1 db

That's more air at less noise than the fan I have now... If only there was a way to 'adapt' my heatsink to take the 120mm fan... To go to the XP-120 and that fan would run close to $70... For about $30-$35 more I could get the big water unit... Maybe I'll order up the XP-120 (with the above fan) and rates compared to the SLk-948U and fan I have now...

Would anyone else find such information useful??

*update*
Well, I've ordered the XP-120 and Enermax 120mm fan... I should have it before xmas, so it will give me something to do in the days after that. I'll just need to decide if I should make the fan blow down onto the heatsink or pull air off of it.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Spike

Originally posted by: Operandi
Enermax is globe, the only ones that compare to Panaflows are the fans that use sleeve bearings.

Operandi just has it out for the Enermax fans. As I have said before, my Enermax 120mm pushes more air for less noise than my Panaflo M1a. There are two drawbacks with the Enermax for me. First is the price, I paid $12 for the Enermax and $8 for the Panaflo, not a big deal but still there. Second is build quaility, the Panaflo looks better built than the Enermax. I have used cheaper looking fans than the Enermax that lasted me 4 years, so cheaper-looking does not always mean much.

I vote for the enermax fans...

-spike

I haven't used those fans but the Enermax fans I have used were nothing special, decent cheaper fans but I think their dBA ratings are bit off, at least on the ones I used.

How do you test both fans? You should test them in free air, preferably not mounted to anything.

From all the research I've done Panaflow makes the best easily available fans you can buy. Check out the SPCR forums there are quiet a few experts thee and you won't find anyone there recommending Enermax fans.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: Spike

Originally posted by: Operandi
Enermax is globe, the only ones that compare to Panaflows are the fans that use sleeve bearings.

Operandi just has it out for the Enermax fans. As I have said before, my Enermax 120mm pushes more air for less noise than my Panaflo M1a. There are two drawbacks with the Enermax for me. First is the price, I paid $12 for the Enermax and $8 for the Panaflo, not a big deal but still there. Second is build quaility, the Panaflo looks better built than the Enermax. I have used cheaper looking fans than the Enermax that lasted me 4 years, so cheaper-looking does not always mean much.

I vote for the enermax fans...

-spike

I haven't used those fans but the Enermax fans I have used were nothing special, decent cheaper fans but I think their dBA ratings are bit off, at least on the ones I used.

How do you test both fans? You should test them in free air, preferably not mounted to anything.

From all the research I've done Panaflow makes the best easily available fans you can buy. Check out the SPCR forums there are quiet a few experts thee and you won't find anyone there recommending Enermax fans.

Actually you are correct there, they no longer reccomend Enermax OR Panaflo's for a super-quiet case. They claim the quaility on the Panaflos is not near what it used to be and that the Enermax fans are good and push alot of air but not quiet enough for a silent PC. This suites me just fine as I don't want/need a silent PC. My Enermax is VERY quiet but not completely silent. Still better than my Panaflo...

-spike

 

[akira34]

I'll post up how the Enermax 120mm fan rates compared to the Panaflo H1 that's inside my case right now. I also need to look up/find the spec's on the fans that Lian-Li uses in my case. Maybe I can find a fan that has lower db at the same CFM... Although, with just those fans spinning, or the processor fan spinning slower, you're hard pressed to hear anything coming from the case.

I hope that the XP-120 and 120mm fan I ordered earlier will provide the same (or better) cooling at lower db's. BTW, with the heat set to 60F for during the day, I came home to find my system idling at 29-31C... That was with it doing some recording of live tv too at the end of the lower air temp time (I turn the heat up a little when I get home). Right now, I'm running 30-31C for both case and processor...

 

[Operandi]

I haven't used any 120mm Panaflows but it seems like they are hit and miss, some have some noise others are dead quiet. Some of the first fans to come out of China were particularly likely to be louder.These "Blue Label" Panaflows are supposed to excellent.

Spike; is your Panaflow from Japan or China?

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: Operandi
I haven't used any 120mm Panaflows but it seems like they are hit and miss, some have some noise others are dead quiet. Some of the first fans to come out of China were particularly likely to be louder.These "Blue Label" Panaflows are supposed to excellent.

Spike; is your Panaflow from Japan or China?

I am fairly sure mine is a Chinese made fan. It looks NOTHING like that fan you linked to.

Man, I wish my case was a little more silent... even with all my fans running lowest there is still alot of air movement noise. I am hoping with a NV silencer and rubber pads between my case and 120mm I can reduce some noise, and maybe with the 80 to 120mm adaptor for my CPU I will reduce more... just want quieter and powerful...

At idle with a case temp of 35c my CPU hovers from 40-43, full load at 49-50. When I run my fans full bore idle CPU goes down to 39-40 and load is at 45

-spike

 

[akira34]

I'll post up about the new HSF combo as for the sound level and cooling properties of it.

Any suggestions as for setting the fan to suck or blow on the XP-120???

 

[Tiamat]

it actually was shown to not really matter for that heatsink. I would arrange the fan the conventional blow down way anways though.

 

[akira34]

I'll have to double check my case layout when I install the new cooler. If I recall properly, the HSF ends up being rather close to the case exhaust fan. If that's so, maybe it would be better to have it suck off the heatsink, so that it can be vented out of the case faster... That could bring down my case/mobo temps too...

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Spike

Originally posted by: Operandi
I haven't used any 120mm Panaflows but it seems like they are hit and miss, some have some noise others are dead quiet. Some of the first fans to come out of China were particularly likely to be louder.These "Blue Label" Panaflows are supposed to excellent.

Spike; is your Panaflow from Japan or China?

I am fairly sure mine is a Chinese made fan. It looks NOTHING like that fan you linked to.

Man, I wish my case was a little more silent... even with all my fans running lowest there is still alot of air movement noise. I am hoping with a NV silencer and rubber pads between my case and 120mm I can reduce some noise, and maybe with the 80 to 120mm adaptor for my CPU I will reduce more... just want quieter and powerful...

At idle with a case temp of 35c my CPU hovers from 40-43, full load at 49-50. When I run my fans full bore idle CPU goes down to 39-40 and load is at 45

-spike

Yeah, you might have one of the louder 120mm L1As. The one in my link is the older ball bearign Panaflow pre Hydrowave, ball bearing designs can be very quiet but they end up being expensive.

You have an Alpha PAL8045 right?, what fan do you have on it? Also what are the rest of your specs?

Originally posted by: akira34
I'll post up about the new HSF combo as for the sound level and cooling properties of it.

Any suggestions as for setting the fan to suck or blow on the XP-120???

I would try it both ways, sucking will promote better air flow and perhaps lower system temps a bit however.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Akira34 mentioned -- I assume -- a concern about interference from the rear exhaust fan. I went the route initially to put a shroud or duct over the CPU HSF light enough to simply secure it to the HSF, but you could do it in other ways, especially if you have an easily removeable side-panel. I intend to keep that duct, even if only as "vestigial".

I still have some time-consuming modifications to make, they will have to wait until after Xmas, so I should report back then. But honestly, it is hard to keep away from these forums . . . :laugh:

 

[akira34]

With my case, the PSU is seperated from the section with the mobo and such. When I install the XP-120, I'll check to see how much space (in all three axis) is between the rear venting fan and the fan on the XP-120... Take a look at a picture of the Lian-Li V1100 series case and you'll see what I'm talking about. If the fans are close enough to each other, then I'll set the fan on the XP-120 to suck off of it and blow it towards the rear, exhaust, fan... I won't duct the HSF to the rear exhaust fan, since I need that one to also vent that section of the case.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm worried about your Lian-Li case in conjunction with the XP120. It may be that the XP120 installs in an orientation perpendicular to my P4 installation, but this does not alleviate my worry. You should find out how much the XP120 extends beyond the CPU socket, and how close that socket is to the edge of the mobo -- and also -- how close the mobo sits next to the mid-case divider above the PSU.

Based on that information, you might want to consider a Dremel-modification to the case so that the heatsink fits (if indeed it's going to butt up against that panel), or whether a different ThermalRight-variation on the XP-theme is worth exploring.

I'm not 100% sure that you have a problem, but I don't want to see you running into complications unexpectedly.

Another thing -- positive -- IF the XP120's orientation is perpendicular to the P4 setup in regard to your AMD socket, that's a good thing, because the XP120's fins will push air toward the exhaust fan. Perfect situation for a little foam-board ducting with no complications.

Now that I look at the MSI K8N Neo Platinum at:

MSI K8N Neo

I'm inclined to think you should have plenty of clearance either way as far as the case is concerned. But now I'm worried about your AGP card and the XP120. . . . OK . . . as long as your board is not the "Neo2", it's compatible.

 

[akira34]

I know my board is compatible with the XP120, I checked before placing the order.

Since I don't even have a dremel, I'm not going to modify the heatsink, or anything else for that matter, to 'make it fit'... My only [real] semi-concern is where the case venting 120mm fan will be in relation to the XP120... IF It's fairly close, I'll set the fan on the heatsink to 'suck'. If I have enough room to not worry, then I'll set the fan to 'blow'... Since others have mentioned that it won't really make much difference as far as cooling the processor, I might try it in both positions and see what my case temps do...

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: Spike

Originally posted by: Operandi
I haven't used any 120mm Panaflows but it seems like they are hit and miss, some have some noise others are dead quiet. Some of the first fans to come out of China were particularly likely to be louder.These "Blue Label" Panaflows are supposed to excellent.

Spike; is your Panaflow from Japan or China?

I am fairly sure mine is a Chinese made fan. It looks NOTHING like that fan you linked to.

Man, I wish my case was a little more silent... even with all my fans running lowest there is still alot of air movement noise. I am hoping with a NV silencer and rubber pads between my case and 120mm I can reduce some noise, and maybe with the 80 to 120mm adaptor for my CPU I will reduce more... just want quieter and powerful...

At idle with a case temp of 35c my CPU hovers from 40-43, full load at 49-50. When I run my fans full bore idle CPU goes down to 39-40 and load is at 45

-spike

Yeah, you might have one of the louder 120mm L1As. The one in my link is the older ball bearign Panaflow pre Hydrowave, ball bearing designs can be very quiet but they end up being expensive.

You have an Alpha PAL8045 right?, what fan do you have on it? Also what are the rest of your specs?

Originally posted by: akira34
I'll post up about the new HSF combo as for the sound level and cooling properties of it.

Any suggestions as for setting the fan to suck or blow on the XP-120???

I would try it both ways, sucking will promote better air flow and perhaps lower system temps a bit however.

Here is my setup in whole...

Antec Super-Lanboy case
Abit NF7-S
AthlonXP 2500+ @ 2.2 ghz
1GB Geil 3200
BFG 6800GT @ 400/1100 w/ stock dual 40mm fan cooler (going to replace with NV silencer soon)
2 HDD
2 Optical
Antec Round Cables
1 PC toys fan controller (4 dials, 18 watts per channel, 7-12v variable)
Front fan: Enermax 120 x 25 @ 7 volts (Had to hide the stupid variable resister it comes with)
Rear Fan: Panaflo M1A 120x39 @ 7 volts
Alpha PAL8045 with YS-Tech 80mm 70 cfm @ 45 dB (I usually leave this one at 8 or so volts)

I put a antec 80mm 35 cfm @ 30 dB fan on the alpha for a little bit, but it did not seem to push enough air even at full voltage. Besides the NV Silencer, I am going to get rubber pads to put between the fans and the case, do they have silicon screws I could get too? I also have been looking at a 80-120mm or 80-92mm adapter for my Alpha so I can put a larger, quieter fan on it.

Let me be honest, I don't need or want a silent PC. However, I am looking for a system that can be semi-quiet but still very fast and have the option of cranking the cooling come summer time. My current system fits this bill, but if it does not cost much more it can't hurt to get even quieter...

Thanks!

-spike

 

[akira34]

Spike...

One of the reasons I want such low temps now (during the winter) is so that come summer the temps won't go too high. Of course, being able to keep it all cool at low db is a GOOD thing when the computer is in the living room. With it under 6' from where I watch tv, I want it to be quiet enough that I don't hear it at that distance. OR quiet enough that I really don't need to turn the tv up much (if at all). I can do that now, but the temps are higher than I'd like to see.

Do note, that from what others are telling me about my temps, I'm ~nuts for wanting lower/quieter (at least according to some)... Personally, I think some insanity is a good/healthy thing... Otherwise, no real innovations would have ever happened if someone didn't put the envelope to the next level.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: akira34
Spike...

One of the reasons I want such low temps now (during the winter) is so that come summer the temps won't go too high. Of course, being able to keep it all cool at low db is a GOOD thing when the computer is in the living room. With it under 6' from where I watch tv, I want it to be quiet enough that I don't hear it at that distance. OR quiet enough that I really don't need to turn the tv up much (if at all). I can do that now, but the temps are higher than I'd like to see.

Do note, that from what others are telling me about my temps, I'm ~nuts for wanting lower/quieter (at least according to some)... Personally, I think some insanity is a good/healthy thing... Otherwise, no real innovations would have ever happened if someone didn't put the envelope to the next level.

It's always good to push to the next level, don't let anyone tell you otherwise!!

As for mine, I am LOVE the temps I get at high fan speeds (mid 40's under load, way better than I have ever had it) but under lower fan speeds, AKA quiet mode, my temps are annoying. I am hitting 42-44 idle and 48-51 under load. This is with winter house temps of 55-65 F. In summer we average 70-80 F. This means I bet my underload temps at low speeds are at 55 C which is still 5-8 less than I used to get, but annoying still the same!

I am just looking for a little more cooling at a little less noise. It is definitly tolerable compared to my last setup but not even close to the whisper-quiet level that some strive for. These are the reasons I hijack your thread asking silly questions about adapoters and fans

-spike

 

[Hyperlite]

i'm running a 92mm tornado on my SLK-900A, check my sig, i never breach 43c load. actually, i have FOUR tornados, all connected to a vantec nexus 3.5" bay controller, its pretty neat...four simple nobs, blue LEDs. mabye a bit flashy for you, i don't know. all i can say is, unless your using water, there has to be a trade off between noise and cooling. granted, i stay VERY cool, but it isn't silent by any means. if i crank this thing up all the way, i can keep it under 38c load, but then again i have to keep turning around to make sure a C130 isn't landing in my back yard. turn all FOUR of the tornados up, and you may as well head for the bomb shelter.

about the 92mm on the nexus...turned all the way down, i'm running 2800rpm, cranked it runs @ 5200rpm. if you run JUST the 92mm tornado turned all the way down with the nexus, it is tolerable, at least for me. just giving you some first hand feedback.