Noctua NF-S12B ULN Ultra Low Noise 120mm are these really quiet?

GTO656 · 18 Nov 2011 at 16:11

Hey guys, Im planning on replacing my 120mm fans are they are so noisy.
Are these fans really that quiet at 500-700 RPM? and barely inaudible-

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-007-NC&tool=3

thanks

pgi947 · 18 Nov 2011 at 18:28

At that speed they should be pretty much silent, as most noctua fans are.

A little pricey for me however, have you looked at the akasa apaches or Gentle Typhoons? Both great fans, very quiet and significantly cheaper...

Tealc · 18 Nov 2011 at 18:35

My Noctua vortex control fans are pretty silent at 600rpm so these should be no different.

GTO656 · 18 Nov 2011 at 21:49

Thats great thx guys, Well Im gonna get the Noctua for the front fans, and gonna replace my exhaust fan aswell but its only between 80/92mm. I been looking at the Gentle Typhoon this 1: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-031-SY&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat= not sure if its good?

This is the current one im using:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-023-AK&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=819

ianh · 18 Nov 2011 at 22:26

I have 3x NF-S12B FLX (not ULN) as front fans and 2x NF-P12 on my H70 all running at 1200/1300rpm and they're not really noticeable. In a quiet room they do make a low noise but the frequency is very low so it's not 'harsh' and actually sounds like someone gently blowing or a 'whooshy' sound (sorry, best description I can think of). With my PC speakers on either playing a game or watching youtube etc I can't hear them.

Their only 2 issues are cost and looks but they give the almost the highest CFM & Static Pressure vs Noise ratio which is why I picked them.

GTO656 · 19 Nov 2011 at 00:40

ianh said:
I have 3x NF-S12B FLX (not ULN) as front fans and 2x NF-P12 on my H70 all running at 1200/1300rpm and they're not really noticeable. In a quiet room they do make a low noise but the frequency is very low so it's not 'harsh' and actually sounds like someone gently blowing or a 'whooshy' sound (sorry, best description I can think of). With my PC speakers on either playing a game or watching youtube etc I can't hear them.

Their only 2 issues are cost and looks but they give the almost the highest CFM & Static Pressure vs Noise ratio which is why I picked them.

Great thanks for the answer, that meets my expectations aswell

So im gonna get the Noctua.
can any1 help me decide on which fan for the exhaust that is as quiet?

GTO656 · 19 Nov 2011 at 18:14

Can any1 suggest me plz?

pgi947 · 19 Nov 2011 at 18:38

An apache should do well as an exhaust fan

GTO656 · 19 Nov 2011 at 18:56

Thx which one of these are more silenter lol?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-061-AK&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=4

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-057-AK&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=4

Does any know a good 80mm to 120mm converter?

pgi947 · 19 Nov 2011 at 21:16

Both the same, just different colours. I wouldn't bother with an 80mm-120mm funnel there quite ineffective, if you only have 80mm mounting holes then just use an 80mm fan.

pc_monkey · 19 Nov 2011 at 21:54

I have 2 of the PWM versions of this one.

They are really quiet and move a lot of air.

GTO656 · 19 Nov 2011 at 23:39

Ok, thx hw much do those cost?? I see there in 80mm aswell.

pc_monkey · 20 Nov 2011 at 00:30

GTO656 said:
Ok, thx hw much do those cost?? I see there in 80mm aswell.

You can get 2 120mm enermax with the choice of pwm, manual, or single pseed for the price of one noctua that you linked in your first post.

GTO656 · 20 Nov 2011 at 14:24

k_poh said:
You can get 2 120mm enermax with the choice of pwm, manual, or single pseed for the price of one noctua that you linked in your first post.

Shame ocuk dont sell them, is the pwm the quietest of the three?

cheers

Ste · 20 Nov 2011 at 18:26

Not sure if this helps but the fans on my 5870s at lowest (20%) are louder than the fans you're looking at there

pc_monkey · 20 Nov 2011 at 19:24

GTO656 said:
Shame ocuk dont sell them, is the pwm the quietest of the three?

cheers

the 12cm PWM version is 8db at its lowest speed, the manual vertsion is 10db, and the single speed version is 11db.

GTO656 · 30 Nov 2011 at 22:48

I've decided these two:

Noctua NF-R8 80mm Silent Case Fan - 3 Pin

Akasa AK-FN057 Apache Super Silent 120mm Fan - 4 Pin PWM

would these make my PC more silent?? I've pull both my old exhaust fan and front fan out. and there both are definately making a lot of noise besides my GPU.

GTO656 · 1 Dec 2011 at 17:40

any help plz?

pc_monkey · 1 Dec 2011 at 22:06

Basing on the fact I own Enermax fans and they are quiet at 8db at minimum speed, the Noctua you linked to must be quieter at minimum speed. I can't find anything quieter than that.