What are these called, and are they made for PCs?

[Steve]

Know how on some fans the exhaust side has several slats running across it, all aimed to have the air blow in a certain direction? What are these called, and can I get some for a 120mm PC case fan?

Also, what's the quietest 120mm fan I can buy, within reason?

 

[bjp999]

The quietest fast is one that is not running!

(Sorry, couldn't resist)

Fans are all a compromise between CFM and dbA. A fan moving at a very low RPM will be nearly silent, but move almost no air. A fan moving a a high RPM will be loud but move a lot of air. Go to jab-tech and you'll see a good selection of quiet fans The Scythe S-Flex Fan - SFF21D is the quietest (8.7dBA at 33.5 CFM).

 

[Steve]

"A fan moving at a very low RPM will be nearly silent, but move almost no air" - depends on dimensions of fan I've got a friend with a very quiet PC despite the 200mm fan in the side.

I don't need a particularly fast fan, just something that'll move a bit of air up and back. And some directional help.

 

[soydios]

I think each is called a "louver". I don't see why you'd want to direct your air flow in a certain direction, though.

Yate Loons seem to be pretty popular around here for quiet fans.

 

[Zap]

First thing I thought of was a squirrel cage blower.

example

I think I still have one of those in a 120mm size.

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: soydios
I think each is called a "louver". I don't see why you'd want to direct your air flow in a certain direction, though.

Yate Loons seem to be pretty popular around here for quiet fans.

Thanks, a louver is what I am thinking of. I may not need it now, but here's why I asked: My case has a 120mm fan at the front but the air it blew didn't do much for the CPU temp. I then placed an unopened envelope in the case with one end at the base of the fan and the other end resting on the front edge of my video card, like a ramp. CPU temp dropped 15 degrees.

Regardless, I changed the cooler from a Thermaltake Silent Boost to a Gigabyte Rocket II and that in conjunction with the fan is keeping things well under control. I'll check out Yate Loon and see if it's any quieter than what I've got.

 

[bradyapba]

If you go by silencepcreview.com

The top quiet fans are late loons, nexus, noctua, and the scythe flex series.

They all are in the "best" category for best sound and decent CFM's.

Now for my personal choices and suggestion.

If i was going to get some I would get the Loons, becuase they are the cheapest by far, but still comparable to the rest.

BUT, i would not suggest those, if your looking for the best cooling and performance then i suggest 2 things.

1. A fan controller. For anyone looking for sound and performance. I own the Vantec/nexus 205 $16 at newegg. It controls all the fans in my case.

I personally choose the scythe F series. Its has the most CFMS out of the Group (70cfms at 12v) compared to the rest that fall somewhere around 40. Ther difference is its somewhat noiser at 12V. But at 7V, its whisper quiet, and you get about 40 CFMS.

So you get the best of both worlds in my opinion. During regular use, you get great CFMS and WHisper quiet, and when you need some extra fan action you can turn them up, and get 70 CFMS and still ok sound. Its the quietest 70 CFM fan i have ever owned.

you sound like you want quiet and fast air moving, so to me, your a prime candidate for a fan controller.

Just my 2 cents.


Heres the review

silent pc 120 mm review

 

[Steve]

Thanks, I am considering a fan controller as well.

 

[xinoxide]

crazypc has a nuts crazy quiet 120mm fan

 

[Steve]

Do you mean this one?

http://www.crazypc.com/products/58470.html

 

[Zepper]

Easy to make a fan quiet that doesn't have move much air. For a 120mm fan, 33 CFM is nothing. Yate Loon will move nearly twice that pretty quietly and slow them down a bit and they get near silent while still moving the air. The Japanese Panaflows can do that too as can my Sanyo Denki 120x38 (and I can blow over 100 CFM if I need to.

Louvers, yes, the Rosewill R5601 has nice adjustable louvers on the front and is a great case all around. Doesn't it remind you of the Firefly (the space ship).

.bh.

 

[dedwards]

I would get a good fan like a Yate Loon, and make a more permanent version of your "envelope ramp."

Plastic milk jugs or 2-liter drink bottles are good for making ghetto ducts like this. You can attach it by getting creative with zip-ties, double-sided tape, whatever.

DE

 

[Steve]

Actually, I don't have or need the ramp anymore. I'm using a Gigabyte 3D Rocket II with the 120mm up front, and my Barton 3200+ idles at 36-37 C like this. That said, I'm definitely in the market for a quieter fan. When I was using the Tt Silent Boost and no ramp, I would idle in the 50s and occasionally hit 60.