** GT REPLACEMENT - Watercooling Optimised Fan **

rjk

rjk

Caporegime
Joined
8 Aug 2007
Posts
25,380
Hi Guys

I have been doing a bit of testing recently and have found a fan that I can happily recommend to users as a replacement for the eternally popular Gentle Typhoon.

Comparing the GT in real world tests to this fan is quite strange as they are both so similar when ran together that it is almost impossible to tell the difference.

This fan is superb for use in watercooling applications and easily matches the GT in many areas. The main advantage in my eyes is that the slight bearing whine from the more industrial focussed bearings in the GT is gone as the FQ121 uses a different sort of fan bearing.

I have forwarded some ideas to Silverstone also about potentially making an all black and all white model of this fan as well as offering a none PWM variant.


SST-FQ121 Advantages:
  • Similar, Tightly clustered blade design to a GT
  • Quieter than an 1850 GT at max RPM
  • smaller bearing hub means less of a radiator dead spot
  • PBT plastic blades
  • Much higher MTBF than a GT
  • Higher max CFM than a GT
  • Much lower price than a GT
  • PWM Control
  • no bearing whine like on a GT


Silverstone SST-FQ121 FQ Series 1225 PWM @ £7.99 inc VAT

FG-039-SV_400.jpg


FQ121 represents SilverStone’s pursuit of a design that balances performance and tranquility. Its included PWM module allows motherboard to control fan speed and regulate the temperature inside your chassis with optimal efficiency. FQ121’s nine-bladed design maximizes airflow with ridged edges to provide stable static pressure. These features not only improve ventilation but also decrease operating noise.

The features of the FQ121 make it perfect for watercooling, with high static pressure and low noise, this fan is perfect for use with low FPI radiators such as the Black Ice SR-1 range from Hardware Labs and XSPC RXV3 High Performance Radiators.

PWM design allows 1000~1800rpm fan speed control by motherboard
Optimum airflow, pressure and extremely silent performance
Innovative blade design focuses airflow with maximum efficiency
Air-inlet with optimized aerodynamic design reduces noisy air turbulence

Specifications:-
- Model No. SST-FQ121
- Material P.B.T.
- Color Blue blade/white frame
- Bearing P.C.F. bearing (Powder Copper Fluid Bearing)
- Rated Voltage 12V
- Start Voltage =7V
- Speed 1,000 – 1,800rpm
- Airflow 67.5CFM (max.)
- Static Pressure 0.54 – 1.82mmH2O
- Noise Level 16.4 – 24 dBA
- Life Time 150,000 hours
- Weight 143±5g
- Dimension 120mm (L) x 120mm (W) x 25mm (D)

Was £9.95 Inc. VAT

Only £7.99 inc VAT.

ORDER NOW




Three Fan Bundle - Silverstone SST-FQ121 FQ Series 1225 PWM - Watercooling Optimised Fan @ £19.99 inc VAT

BU-018-SV_400.jpg


Only £19.99 inc VAT.

Save £3.99 inc VAT.

ORDER NOW
 
Comparing the GT in real world tests to this fan is quite strange as they are both so similar when ran together that it is almost impossible to tell the difference.

Talking about factory released specs like they actually mean something....Lmao.

I know yeah, what a mug. OP should have physically tested the fan extensively before jumping on the forum to recommend it to others. :o
 
Black shroud and red blades and I would be all over these.

As bland as the GT's look, there is no chance of those white, blue efforts replacing them even if performance and acoustics are similar.

Good to see there is a new fan on the market which lives up to the GT though!
 
Any other colour available at some point?

I am in talks with Silverstone about an OcUK exclusive version that is even more optimised for WC.
I have highlighted that an all black version is crucial.

What's methods and equipment were used?

How was the date logged and compared?

All tested on:
4770K @ 1.25vcore
development sample 360 radiator with low FPI.
18wDDC + EK Top
EK Supremacy
7/16 tubing and comp fittings
mayhems pastel

Fans tested:
- 3X Generic Black Case fans from my bits box
- 3X Gentle Typhoon 1850
- 3X Corsair SP120 Quiet
- 3X Silverstone FQ121

All ran from 12v Molex connected Aquaero using 100% fan profile. [pwm was not used on the FQ121

average Temp monitored from CPU cores.
system ran at constant load for ten minutes on prime 95.

the cpu temperatures were all around 70'C for all of the aftermarket fans.
the generic case fans i had were terrible but in fairness are not SP focused fans. temperatures with those on were nearly 10'C higher.

the corsairs faired a little worse than the rest but were notably quieter

the GT and the FQ121 were close when it came to temperatures but the noise differences were the only thing that really set them apart.

Given that they are PWM enabled, end users could buy a pwm splitter and run their triple rad in the roof of supporting cases off the CPU header. big advantage for the FQ121.

the build quality of the GT is far better. Nidec know how to make a fan, but realistically they are an industrial grade fan that cant be compared to a sub £10 end user fan.

not really sure what else you could need to know but please ask if I can provide any more info.


Probably order a bundle, see how they fair :)

we have plenty of bundles live now, with many of the radiator bundles offering the fans basically for £5 for three.
 
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Corsair SP120 QE maxes out at 1300ish RPM in real life though- so saying it was slightly worse at temps but quieter isn't much.

But if these matched the GTs in temps and noise then I am convinced enough to try out a few!
 
The GT and the FQ121 were close when it came to temperatures but the noise differences were the only thing that really set them apart.

Given that they are PWM enabled, end users could buy a pwm splitter and run their triple rad in the roof of supporting cases off the CPU header. big advantage for the FQ121.

So the GT's quieter?
 
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