Best fans

[Crazy Buddhist]

I want two case fans about 3"x 3" as quiet as possible when running. Anyone got good recommendation?

[Bucko]

So as in an 80mm fan?

Just get something with a slower RPM, or get one and run it off 5vor7v and have it quieter like that.

[Spawn-Inc]

i've heard lots of good things about panaflows (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37&products_id=399) .

[slytherock]

i've heard lots of good things about panaflows (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37&products_id=399) .

Panaflow's have a good CFM, but are loud as hell..

[Sakker]

I have the 120mm panaflow with 100cfm, and its a hell of a lot quieter than my thermaltake 120mm and or TT 80mm (both around 80cfm)
Edit: so stay away from Thermaltake fans, once they start cranking they get really really loud.

[slytherock]

I dont know what you're talking about. Look carefully

Panaflo Hi noise:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=49&products_id=477

Panaflo Low noise:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=49&products_id=876

Thermaltake:


http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=49&products_id=21583
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=49&products_id=4572
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=49&products_id=4573

Better compare apples with apples.

Even the low noise panaflo is louder then Thermaltake... Maybe your Thermaltake is defect?

[Sakker]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811999122
Those are the two TT fans I have. They are quiet at lower speeds, but cranked up halfway it just starts screeching. The amount of cfm to decibal lvl, i love the hi performance panaflow's performance.

[slytherock]

I admit: those are loud...

[Sakker]

I had noticed :P I use my panaflow atm for an exhaust, however I will be moving it over to the cpu heatsink soon. The thing is a beast of a fan. I'm going to see soon how loud it is on its own, atm I don't notice it because of the TT fans.

[Sakker]

Back onto the silent fans, did a little looking, found http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835191006
80mm, 9 decibals (really really quiet). its 20cfm, not great, but it is silent.

[Crazy Buddhist]

thanks for the pointers peeps .. i'll hav a good look into them

Matthew

[Crazy Buddhist]

After a good look around I am thinking of trying a couple of these. Almost silent when run undervoltage: 35CFM @ 800rpm ONLY 8 db(A) or 20CFM @ 500rpm < 5 db(A) !!!!!! I've found nothing better than that. I will have one drawing air in and one pushing it out.

Anyone with experience of these?

Noctua NF-S12 800RPM 120mm Silent Case Fan (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-000-NC)

- 12v performance - 800RPM, 8dBA, 35CFM
- 7.5v performance - 500RPM, <5dBA, 20CFM
- 3 and 4 pin power connectors
- Ultra-Low-Noise Adaptor (U.L.N.A.) included

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/pimg/FG-000-NC_200.jpg (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-000-NC)

[Crazy Buddhist]

Harwarecanucks.com review: (http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/hardwarecanuck-reviews/1365-noctua-nf-s12-120mm-fan-review.html)

"The performance results for these fans are absolutely amazing. While these fans were purring along at only 600rpm they were cooling off the case as well (and better in some areas) than the stock fans running at 900rpm. This goes to show how efficient blade design through engineering genius can increase airflow exponentially.

When the speed of the NF-S12 fans was increased to 1200rpm, the contest wasn’t even close. The Noctua fans completely overwhelmed the competition by decreasing some temperatures by as much as 7°C! It is absolutely shocking to see the temperature of an overclocked CPU drop by nearly 5°C just by changing to these Noctua fans.

Then again, it will all be pointless if the Noctua fans make an unholy racket…


4- Noise….what noise?

Two words come to mind when thinking of the noise level of the Noctua NF-S12: dead silent. When operating at 1200rpm the 4 Noctuas were actually quieter than the stock fans running at 900rpm. Even though the opinion about what constitutes noise and the amount one can hear varies from person to person, even those with the sharpest hearing will have trouble hearing these fans."

[Spawn-Inc]

a ways back i was looking at those and heard pretty good things, i don't want them because they don't push enough air for water cooling. if they had clear blue led one i would get one for the back of my case.

[Jim Beam]

I just got those fans for my ultra huge mozart tx and the review is true dead silent they are really nice fans silverstone fans I have are pretty quiet also bo no where near as quiet as the new ones.

[Crazy Buddhist]

Where did the picture go? I know it was probably copyright but I linked to the website selling the things so I would be surprised if they were upset :(

did one of you lovely moderator types delete it?? oh its back ??? ignore me .. just ignore me .... :D :D :D

Matthew

[Crazy Buddhist]

Jim - thanks - that seals the deal for me :)

Matthew

[Crazy Buddhist]

Customer Reviews: Again WOW !! lol
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Stupidly Good

gold stargold stargold stargold stargold star

Reviewed by: Francis Barrett

As powerful as a hoover! but as quiet as a mouse... :)
2 May, 07, 11:30 am
Super Quiet

gold stargold stargold stargold stargold star

Reviewed by: Adam

Super Quiet Fans which still shift decent air... You can run these at full pelt and they are still quiet. Add to this the nice rubber grommet mountings and you have an quality package. Highly Recommended.
17 Apr, 07, 3:59 pm
best fan full stop

gold stargold stargold stargold stargold star

Reviewed by: dan b

by far one of the best fans i have used worth every penny
6 Mar, 07, 10:00 pm
Sounds Like A Feather

gold stargold stargold stargold stargold star

Reviewed by: Dave

These are immense fans. If i open up my case and put my hand near it I can feel a breeze, but I can barely hear the fans.
Just do yourself a favour and buy them.
25 Jan, 07, 10:56 am
Noctua NF-S12 1200RPM

gold stargold stargold stargold stargold star

Reviewed by: Nigel

I bought 2 of these to replace the existing 120mm fans in my ThermaltakeTsumani Wave case (which sounded like a hurricane).
Although the case has holders for the fans and not standard mounting holes (so that the rubber mounts couldn't be used) the difference is AMAZING (I'm using the supplied voltage dropper and powering off the mobo).
Even my wife has commented how quiet it is:)
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

[Crazy Buddhist]

Got them .. they're like a hurricane sneaking up behind you :eek: