Best 120mm fan?

Man of Honour
Joined
4 Nov 2002
Posts
15,513
Location
West Berkshire
It seems one of my pre-installed Antec TriCool case fans is on its way out. I have no idea what the current state-of-the-art is with fans, so a simple(ish) question:

What fans should I consider for best build quality (which I'm very happy to pay for) and a good balance of airflow and low noise as standard (i.e. no fan speed controllers unless they're supplied with the fan).

Current fan spec - using supplied speed controller - 1600RPM, 56CFM, 120x120x25mm.

Thanks. :)
 
Just looking at the Noctuas, as I have actually heard of those. :)

Are there benefits of getting the NF-P12 over the NF-S12 (1200RPM)?
 
It seems one of my pre-installed Antec TriCool case fans is on its way out. I have no idea what the current state-of-the-art is with fans, so a simple(ish) question:

What fans should I consider for best build quality (which I'm very happy to pay for) and a good balance of airflow and low noise as standard (i.e. no fan speed controllers unless they're supplied with the fan).

Current fan spec - using supplied speed controller - 1600RPM, 56CFM, 120x120x25mm.

Thanks. :)

What setting are those figures from on the tri-cool, low,medium or high?
 
Medium. I think that's what I use. They're too loud on High.

PS - having just seen your other thread, mine are non-LED versions. I don't like LED fans (I have enough of a household glow already).
 
Last edited:
Yeah, just trying to find out it the red LED tri-cools are better than the Xilence 120TRs.

I have ordered 3 Xilence 120TRs to have a play anyways :)
 
Noctua are good if you want a very quiet machine but as you already have some tricool running at 1600rpm i don't really see the point in spending £14 on a fan that won't really give any benefit. It won't move a lot of air and you won't get the benefit of it's quietness due to the louder tricool fans.
Maybe something like the Akasa AK-191-SM which is similar in performance to your tricool at medium settings.
 
I have a Sharkoon 2000 in my eclipse and it very nice. Noisy at full tilt tho.
I Use 2 noctua fans on my ccpu cooler and they are also awesome.

Currently im looking to replace the stock Asaka fans on my eclipse with Yate Loons. They seem to get good reviews and are dirt cheap. how do the D12SL (1300) sound at full speed? Also tempted By Sharkoon 1000 but im after shifting quite a bit of air, the Yates seem to move more.
 
Last edited:
I have a Sharkoon 2000 in my eclipse and it very nice. Noisy at full tilt tho.
I Use 2 noctua fans on my ccpu cooler and they are also awesome.

Currently im looking to replace the stock Asaka fans on my eclipse with Yate Loons. They seem to get good reviews and are dirt cheap. how do the D12SL (1300) sound at full speed? Also tempted By Sharkoon 1000 but im after shifting quite a bit of air, the Yates seem to move more.
I replaced my akasa eclipse stock fans with yate loon 1300 rpm fans, use 3 of em 2x intake (1 in a kama bay) and 1 for exhaust. Although im gonna change them for sharkoon silent eagle 2000's as i have 2 of theese on my TRUE and ive been really impressed with them, currently running at full speed till i get a fan controller. As for the yates, noise wise theyre very good but just dont shift enough air for my liking.
 
I replaced my akasa eclipse stock fans with yate loon 1300 rpm fans, use 3 of em 2x intake (1 in a kama bay) and 1 for exhaust. Although im gonna change them for sharkoon silent eagle 2000's as i have 2 of theese on my TRUE and ive been really impressed with them, currently running at full speed till i get a fan controller. As for the yates, noise wise theyre very good but just dont shift enough air for my liking.

I like my Sharkoon but dont have it running much about 1400Rpm (using a zalman Fanmate) cause its damn loud. How you put up with 2 running full pelt ill never know, one gave me a headache! I use the noctua cooler though with 2 noctua fans and they are very quiet.

I have the same setup as you, Just cant decide, i did want to avoid a fan controller if possible as the only one i can fit is the akasa Junior. Were the yates much better than the stock eclipse fans?
 
The yates were a vast improvement over the stock akasa fans, runing of the 3 pin headers on my mobo they were speed controlled to run at 900 rpm ono, (extremely quiet) they only ramped up to full speed when the system was at full load, and even then the noise was quite low (my vid card fan @60% is louder.) Regarding the sharkoon 2000's they certainly are loud at full speed:D. but im looking to get the akasa junior to try and tame them a bit. Definitely dont need them at full speed all the time, but fantastic cooling for benching, priming etc.
 
My Noctua fan is great, only problem is the other fans in the system that arent so quite. I should have thought about that b4 i got it, but oh well will just have to replace the others later if i want it to be more quite :)
 
The yates were a vast improvement over the stock akasa fans, runing of the 3 pin headers on my mobo they were speed controlled to run at 900 rpm ono, (extremely quiet) they only ramped up to full speed when the system was at full load, and even then the noise was quite low (my vid card fan @60% is louder.) Regarding the sharkoon 2000's they certainly are loud at full speed:D. but im looking to get the akasa junior to try and tame them a bit. Definitely dont need them at full speed all the time, but fantastic cooling for benching, priming etc.

My mobo not control speed for some reason. Thanks for the heads up!
 
Back
Top Bottom