Antec 300 case fans, alright to change?

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6 Jul 2009
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Hey.

The stock fans on the Antec 300 case are a bit too loud for my liking, (I'm going to be recording some music in my room, and don't want the drone of fans in the background) so I'm wondering if a change to Akasa AK191 would make a difference.

Using PC Wizard 2009, I've got some figues on my temps.
My AMD Phenom II 550 is running at around 29-33 c.
My mobo is running at about 38 c.

The Akasa fans say they run at 1400Rpm, and my current fans are 1600-1900.

So, if I change to Akasa fans, which will probaly mean less cooling, can I get away with the higher temps? Or should I sacrifice sound for performance?

Thanks in advance.
 
I have that same case.

You may have issues with a fan controller.

I bought this one:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-021-AK&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=189

Along with a bay adaptor from amazon, because there are no 3.5 bays in the antec. And a fan splitter (because I have four fans, and the controller only has three controllers built in)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-013-AK

Essentailly I am using it as a server. So it is running 24/7. And I want it to be as quiet as possible.

On the flip side it contains 4 hdds so there is a potential foir heat.

I bought 2 x Skythe 1600 quiet fans for the front bays.

So, I have the two built in fans, and the two front fans.

I installed the controller ok (though the usb thing it has was quite confusing, and beyone me to figure out)

But, I have been unable to get the two built in fans to work with it. They have their own built in fan controllers.

The skythes worked fine with the fan controller.

I have found that a good compromise is to have the two skythes set to quite low (until you can't hear them) on the fan controller, and set the two internal fans to low.

The skythes pump out a lot of air even when turn ed down to were you can't hear them. And set to low, I can't hear the internal fans either.

Its very quiet. And the PC seems very cool.

Have to say though, that I don't have a graphics card in it (its a server, so I specifically got a card that had a built in monitor support, so it would have less heat)

Not sure how others are getting the two internal antec fand to work with a fan controller?

They are good fans though. They throw out a lot of air. I replaced all the fans in my other lian li case (main pc) with the skythes 1600

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-005-SY&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=4

Great fans.

Would like to have the antecs on the controller. But they are poretty good at moviung air out of the case, even at low (which is very quiet) in my experience.

Maybe just get some skythes and a cheapo controller, and set those to low?
 
Hmm, I'll look into that.

You mentioned on the lowest setting the Antec fans being quiet, I may try this, but what temps can the processor/mobo get up to without being concerned?
 
Processor you wouldn't want to push any higher than 75-80, although even if it does go over that, it wouldn't damage it.

Motherboard should typically stay below 50deg. :)

The difference between full speed/lowest speed is only around 3-4 degrees at the most, so i wouldn't worry too much!
 
Alright, thanks. Seems as I'm getting 33 and 38 typically, I'm going to try lowering the fan speed.

I only put it on max just in case, being my first build.


Thanks for all the help, and if slowing them doesn't help I'll fork out on some new fans :)
 
Wow, just turned the back one to the lowest.

Are my fans still working?!? :p

Incredible difference, and my temps haven't suffered. About the same temps. Not sure how it'd cope with gaming, but I can always turn it back up, as sound isn't an issue then. (Not at the volume I have it, anyway...)

Thanks for the help guys. I'm sorry for the n00b question, just don't want my hard work suddenly melted :)
 
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