Low noise/high CFM Case Fans

[Redundant]

Since this part of the forums has been broadened to more than just water cooling, I would like help finding quiet fans for my first (built by myself) computer when i get some/most the parts this holiday.

I don't plan on over clocking for a while so I don't need any extreme cooling; The case I have is a CM Centurion 5 and it needs 2 x 120 mm and 1 x 80 mm fans. Mostly, I don't want it to sound like a jet engine next to me.

Thanks in advance!

[Zephik]

120mm:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811999151
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811999127

80mm:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835119033

Those are just a few... Search through newegg, they have LOADS of fans.

-SF

[nil8]

You're looking for the highest cfm and lowest decibel rating you can.
That should be your basic guideline. SnowFire's suggestions aren't bad.

[Silenced_Coyote]

I am trying to do the same thing but it is harder than one would think.

First, the ratings might not be that accurate. The dba can be high or low depending on how far the manufacturer places the dba meter device. Also, two fans could have the same (or almost the same) dba rating, but the frequency/intensity (right term?) could be different. So one could have a lower dba but sound worse than one that is rated at a higher dba.
Here is a neat page I found so you can test this out. (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/tecar.html)

Then there is the maximum air pressure, which I am not too familar with. I think that if you have a lot of obstruction - like tightly packed fins on a heatsink - higher air pressure is better.

By the way, Silent PC Review came out with an article called the Anatomy of Silent Fans (http://www.silentpcreview.com/article690-page1.html).

[Zephik]

Tip:

Read lots and lots of reviews. I've seen some crazy awesome fans, but then read the reviews and the customers were pretty ticked because it was nothing like advertised. I've also seen some pretty crummy fans but the reviews were 5/5 with 30+ reviewers.

I don't even know what CFM and DBA means anymore, I just look at the ones that have the most+best reviews and see what the people like us have to say about it.

example:

Thermaltake Armor Full Tower
658 reviews
5/5 star rating
No 2/5 or 1/5

That right there pretty much means that it is awesome and if you are not satisfied with it then it's a personal reason. Such as you don't like the door flaps (which you can remove). <--- next Tip: When reading reviews, also look at the small section under the review itself that says something like "was this review helpful to you?". Alot of people review products but really don't deserve to because they don't have a high understanding of something, despite that most of them say that they do.

Example: If it says 0 out of 30, then don't even pay attention to that review. But if it says something good such as 30 out of 30, then you want to read that review carefully as it states that people liked that review and agreed with it.

There ya go, thats your basic guide to "review purchasing". I trust this method and I think most everyone else does too.

Happy Modding!

-SF

[Redundant]

That SPCR article was very helpful in giving me insight to choosing fans. I'd like someone's opinion on the special bearing types of fans mentioned in it (ie: the "Fluid Dynamic Bearings"). Is it worth getting those types of fans over sleeve or bearing types?:?

As for using reviews to help influence my decisions, I find it kind of odd that you at first picked 2 out of 3 fans with few reviews, and then say to look for ones with many reviews. lol But I took your advice, looked through NewEgg's wide selection of fans, and found these 120mm fans (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCompare.asp?Category=11&N=2010110062+1294418552+105760265+1057608552+10577 08556&Submit=ENE&Nty=1&Subcategory=62&CompareItemList=N82E16835185004%2CN82E16835185005% 2CN82E16811999346%2CN82E16835185006) and 80mm fans (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCompare.asp?Category=11&N=2010110062+1294418552+105760272+1057608549+10577 08556&Submit=ENE&Nty=1&Subcategory=62&CompareItemList=N82E16811999963%2CN82E16835186112% 2CN82E16835186006) that appeared to be pretty good; I did like the TT blue one you picked too, it's just that the front ones have to be black because of the metal mesh. Please tell me what you think.

[Zephik]

Well I looked over your fans and I would personally would go with any of the 120mm's you listed. I don't know a whole lot about RPM's though and that is pretty much what it comes down to I think. As for the 80mm's, again, I would pick any of those, but my favor is in this one right here...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811999963

Great price, great reviews, seems like a winner!

If I HAD to pick a 120mm I would pick this one...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811999346

Both of those are the cheapest you listed too, thought that was kind of funny. Anyways, I scanned the reviews real quick and they both seem to be pretty good for airflow and noise.

-SF

[Redundant]

Wow, what a fast response; are you on here all day long? lol
Thanks for narrowing down my choices kinda, I was thinking the Scythe ones are better because of the FD bearing. Have you ever used that type? I've never heard of Kingwin, is it a reliable company?

[Silenced_Coyote]

Depending on what you are cooling, any of the 3 fans from Scythe will be a great choice. For 80mm fans, I would TRY the Arctic Cooling Arctic Fan 8. I always like the thicker fans. But if it doesn't fit, go with the other Arctic Cooling Fan.

How about cut a hole so that the 80 mm fan hole can accomodate a 120mm fan? Well, if do make the front bigger, there is nothing stopping you (except for the width of the case) to go bigger than 120! 140mm in the front and 250mm on the side panel! :D

[Zephik]

Wow, what a fast response; are you on here all day long? lol

Yes, yes I am.

:neutral:

I need a job. lol

-SF

[Redundant]

Depending on what you are cooling, any of the 3 fans from Scythe will be a great choice. For 80mm fans, I would TRY the Arctic Cooling Arctic Fan 8. I always like the thicker fans. But if it doesn't fit, go with the other Arctic Cooling Fan.

It can't be very thick because its in front of the hard drive cage...



How about cut a hole so that the 80 mm fan hole can accomodate a 120mm fan? Well, if do make the front bigger, there is nothing stopping you (except for the width of the case) to go bigger than 120!It also can't be bigger because the HDD cage extends to the front of the case...


140mm in the front and 250mm on the side panel! :DI don't want a fan on the side panel, I would like to put a window there instead. I know I can put a fan in the window but I think it would ruin the look of it.

[Silenced_Coyote]

What are you cooling anyways? By the way, what case do you have? Can you post some pictures maybe?

[Redundant]

-The case is a Centurion 5 black/silver without the window
-It's currently empty but I plan on putting a Core 2 Duo e6600 and eVGA 7900GTO when I get them (hopefully for Christmas)

Edit: I probably will start a thread on picking parts for the computer over Thanksgiving break.

[FireFoxConn]

That SPCR article was very helpful in giving me insight to choosing fans. I'd like someone's opinion on the special bearing types of fans mentioned in it (ie: the "Fluid Dynamic Bearings"). Is it worth getting those types of fans over sleeve or bearing types?:?
.

I've found that Sleeve bearing type fans produce some signifigant noise over lubricated ridge bearings or Fluid dynamic bearings... but they have a small advantage in that the lubricated style bearings produce friction which means the coils have a load put on them (rambling again):p ... this is a personal prefrence question... it all depends on what fits you best... low noise or more air movement? you have to find a balance between the two.
Good Luck With Your fanventure

[FireFoxConn]

I forgot to add also that good fan placment is key in cooling a case like yours. try placing a couple high CFM fans on the front of the case, usually there is a place for this below the hdd rack, and (if you have room for it) inside the drive bays. This will require you to have at the most two open drive bays and a grill along with some sort of plastic to fit around the fan to stop recirculating fan syndrome(because the fans are not directional as far as after air leaves the fan). then to equalize air flow through the case, make sure you point the air flow into the case from the front and also make sure that there is an equal amount of air flow going out the back.
Again
Good Luck