Best fans for rads

Dirk Diggler · 26 Jul 2015 at 21:08

I'm trying to decide which fans to match with my EK Coolstream PE 240. I currently have Corsair SP120 quiet editions but they only top out at 1200 rpm. I've got into gaming with headphones on and I feel I could get a better maximum on my fan curve to keep temperatures down that little bit lower.

I could go for the Noctua NF-F12 which seem to be the Rolls Royce.

http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=78&lng=en&set=1

But for half the price, I can stick with Corsair and get the performance SP120's which do 2100 rpm.

http://www.corsair.com/en/air-serie...ce-edition-high-static-pressure-fan-twin-pack

Will the Noctua be worth twice the price? By the way, I'll be controlling them with the Asus Qfan utility in BIOS with aGene VII.

Glanza · 26 Jul 2015 at 21:44

What rads are you running, are they high or low FPI?

Dirk Diggler · 26 Jul 2015 at 21:50

https://shop.ekwb.com/ek-coolstream-pe-240-dual

FPI: 19 (split fin)

tyler_jrb · 26 Jul 2015 at 23:29

the performance editions push quite a bit more air than the quiet editions, ive tried both but they are far louder. If you can take the noise do it but they are seriously loud you might find yourself lowering the speed down.

I thought quiet editions did 1450rpm?

Dirk Diggler · 26 Jul 2015 at 23:41

tyler_jrb said:
the performance editions push quite a bit more air than the quiet editions, ive tried both but they are far louder. If you can take the noise do it but they are seriously loud you might find yourself lowering the speed down.

I thought quiet editions did 1450rpm?

My fan controller is showing the QE's doing 1200 but maybe the speed sensor isn't accurate.

Yes I know the performance fans will be loud at full pelt, but I intend to set a fan curve so that they only ramp up when the CPU is getting hot, which will be when I'm gaming. I'll have headphones on at the time, and my 980Ti will have it's fans at 80-90% at the same time too.

I'm assuming the noise levels between the Corsair and Noctua fans will be similar?

vsg28 · 27 Jul 2015 at 01:18

Cough *http://thermalbench.com/category/fans/* Cough

whyscotty · 27 Jul 2015 at 06:27

cough - Link not working - cough

Glanza · 27 Jul 2015 at 08:52

I've currently got the SP120 2250rpm running over my rads but I only run them at 900rpm, upto 1200rpm they are ok but over that and you know about it even with closed headphones on with loud game noise.

Have you looked at the EK Vardar 1450?

Dirk Diggler · 27 Jul 2015 at 09:06

The Vardar doesn't fit with my color scheme, unfortunately.

I'm leaning towards the Noctua NF-F12 as I know the quality and performance will be there, and for once they look good! But oh, that price tag.

RyanF · 27 Jul 2015 at 09:07

String said:
The Vardar doesn't fit with my color scheme, unfortunately.
(

Paint 'em!

Kelt · 27 Jul 2015 at 09:08

Running Corsair SP120 LED's here which go up to 1500 rpm and they work really well.

They're proven to be a better design than the normal SP120 version.

MrMD · 27 Jul 2015 at 09:44

String said:
The Vardar doesn't fit with my color scheme, unfortunately.

I'm leaning towards the Noctua NF-F12 as I know the quality and performance will be there, and for once they look good! But oh, that price tag.

Expensive but worth every penny IMO,got F12's on all my rads.Performance/build quality is superb,no clicking and best of all the pwm curve starting as low as 350rpm!

BristolMethod · 27 Jul 2015 at 10:06

Another vote for NF-F12s.

Dirk Diggler · 27 Jul 2015 at 10:17

Do the F12's shift plenty air when used behind a fan filter and no rad? I'm assuming they do, but just double checking.

I'm going to order a couple and see what they're all about.

Dirk Diggler · 27 Jul 2015 at 10:32

PS

I take it you have the 2000rpm models? I don't think these would be tolerable at 3000rpm would they?

vsg28 · 27 Jul 2015 at 13:35

whyscotty said:
cough - Link not working - cough

So it is. Here we go: http://thermalbench.com/category/fans/

String said:
The Vardar doesn't fit with my color scheme, unfortunately.

I'm leaning towards the Noctua NF-F12 as I know the quality and performance will be there, and for once they look good! But oh, that price tag.

There are all black and white fans now. F4-120ER

MrMD · 27 Jul 2015 at 13:51

String said:
PS

I take it you have the 2000rpm models? I don't think these would be tolerable at 3000rpm would they?

I just use the standard f12s that have a max rpm of 1450,2000 would be far too loud imo.Rarely have them above 1200rpm on my 20fpi rads

Bart_Hunt · 27 Jul 2015 at 15:30

I've had Akasa Apache and they were doing good job, plus were quiet.
Few friends used Noiseblockers e-Loops 1300 rpm and 1900 rpm and said these were very good.
So either or (or try some sub 1k rpm fans on push/pull if you value quiet).

Deathjester · 27 Jul 2015 at 16:25

I love my Noctua NF-F12's

Nothing but excellent since I bought them.

ttaskmaster · 27 Jul 2015 at 16:46

String said:
I'm assuming the noise levels between the Corsair and Noctua fans will be similar?

Nope.
22dB at 1500rpm for the Noctua - 2.6mm/H2O.
35dB at 2350rpm for the Corsair SP - 3.1mm/H2O.

So the Corsair has higher performance, but is MUCH LOUDERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

The NF-F12 Industrial does 29dB at 2000rpm for 3.9mm/H2O.
Or you have the 3000rpm model which does 44dB but gives you a whopping 7.6mm/H2O!!