What kind of Fan Filter to get?

[HamHam]

What kind of fan filter should I get? Foam or metal mesh? I was thinking about this one

http://www.svc.com/ff120-blk.html

or should I get this

http://www.svc.com/80mmfanfilter.html


Thanks!

 

[saltedeggman]

from my experience, mesh allow freer air flow, with more dust as well. It is also eaiser to clean, i just rinse it with water....

foam is a bit more restrictive, harder to clean, but definitely keep the dust out

 

[TrevorRC]

How much airflow is cut out with foam vs. mesh. Any significant numbers?

 

[0roo0roo]

just get a hepa room air filter machine
mod it onto your case for bonus points

as for those fan "filters"...they just keep out the larger bits, dust still gets in. the metal ones cost more, the foam plastic frame one has lousy design blocking too much surface area

 

[Zepper]

I use the plastic with foam. But then, I don't use it on the wimpy fans that are popular now...

.bh.

 

[Ike0069]

I use a couple of these:
http://www.svc.com/80mesh-blk.html

They don't stop all the dust, but they definitely help and the air flow restriction is minimal.

 

[MadScientist]

I use these aluminum filters on my intake fans. A bit more expensive than the foam filters, but very sturdy. I use a small vacuum to clean them without having to remove them. They are available in different colors in 80, 92 and 120 mm sizes.
Link

 

[Liver]

I have successfully used panty hose as a nice thin but dust trapping filter. Its really cheap too. To get it to stay in place a couple of dabs of hot glue work great. From the outside of the case it looks perfect, but from the inside you can see a couple of ragged edges.

 

[starwars7]

Wow, these are some relaly nifty ideas.

MadScientist: have you noticed any airflow problem with the aluminum filters? That seems like a nice longterm solution if it works.

Liver: nifty use of panty hose, how effective are they, about as good as foam or some other material?

 

[imported_Chilly]

I use air-conditioning filters, just cut them out. You can clean them or throw them out.

 

[Mrvile]

You could always make your own using cheesecloth or nylon socks.

 

[Liver]

There is a balance you have to reach between good airflow (cooling) and dust. I find the panyhose to be it. Good enough filtration without a significant impedence to air flow.

The fine fine dust will still get in, but the larger crap will not. Find that I may dust it once a year. I only dust it when I upgrade or need to open the case, and it is clean. The fans show some of the fine dust, but nothing major before the pantyhose.

Mrvile has the same recommendation, but I think the cheesecloth and nylon socks are heavier.

Take a fan out and run it with the various materials infront of it (depending on your air flow needs). See which one pushes (or pulls) more air through it, and realize it may be less once mounted in a case.

 

[trexpesto]

I washed and made one from a clothes-softening dryer sheet. Washed a little too hard, got kind of fuzzy.

 

[dunkster]

If you're willing to fiddle a bit with mounting thicker filter media, the pleated furnace filter media is very effective with minimal air-flow restriction.

Because it's pleated/folded for greater surface area, it's about an inch thick.

Unmeasurable flow restriction and very good dust capture.

The specific media I'm using is cut from a 16" X 20" X 1" filter by 'Columbia Industries', purchased from Home Depot.

Hope this helps!

 

[trexpesto]

I am thinking aluminum window screen over it, wrap around the outside and ground it.