Can you trust case fans numbers?

[dunny87]

Hey guys, I've been planning my new build, and got around to case fans,

My question is can you trust the numbers that are posted for (as far as im aware these are the important ones to look at)

- Max airflow
- Max static air pressure
- Noise level

as reading reviews for some fans seem to give different results.
so can you trust the information that's listed on the product pages???

also

I'm looking for 3x 140mm for the case and 2x(maybe 4) 120mm for a Corsair H100i, if any one would like to recommend some
cooling is the number one factor then noise. ideally i'm looking to leave them on low on all but the hottest days

 

[Cold_And_Miserable]

Figures are generally unreliable to say the least.

e.g.(1) Zaward Golf III 140mm fans are rated very quiet on the db scale but in reality when upside down they make a loud high pitched whine noise but the specs don't mention this.

e.g.(2) The "ultra-quiet" Akasa Viper 140mm for instance is extremely loud...

 

[arknor]

I've got a cooler master excalibur fan that pushs a silly amount of air on max rpm

they are designed for cooling water cooling radiators though so have high air pressure
if you want powerful fans get the ones that have a high air pressure reading

the blades just pull off for easy cleaning

btw if these fans are used on a rad tape up the holes on the sides on the fan or the air will just follow the path of least resistance

 

[GoogalyMoogaly]

I've got a cooler master excalibur fan that pushs a silly amount of air on max rpm

they are designed for cooling water cooling radiators though so have high air pressure

...

btw if these fans are used on a rad tape up the holes on the sides on the fan or the air will just follow the path of least resistance

Seems like an oversight for fans designed for radiators?

 

[arknor]

Seems like an oversight for fans designed for radiators?

well the holes are supposed to be to allow more airflow to get into the fan but obviously when they are pushed against a flat surface the holes just become the path of least resistance.
The holes work brilliantly for case fans though

 

[dunny87]

currently the corsair low noise high pressure, are what i would buy today.

ive got an asaka venom already, i have it set to be on at 50% and its not to loud, but on full you do notice it.

for picking fans doh it does seem like a mine field until you find one you like.

 

[GoogalyMoogaly]

well the holes are supposed to be to allow more airflow to get into the fan but obviously when they are pushed against a flat surface the holes just become the path of least resistance.
The holes work brilliantly for case fans though

So at what point would you expect a radiator fan not to be pushed against a radiator?

I get that it might be useful for case fans (I think I have/had some Enermax ones like that), but if these are designed for radiators you'd expect them to be so out-of-the-box.

 

[Cr4zy]

Theres no industry standard really for CFM ratings or dB so take them all with a pinch of salt.

As for 120mm radiator fans, Gentle Typhoons 1850RPM Ap-15 models, some of the highest rated radiator fans out there, especially due to their static pressure and relatively low noise.