Best fans - Noise vs. Performance

GoogalyMoogaly

GoogalyMoogaly

GoogalyMoogaly

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First off, I appologise for what is probably the 101st thread asking this question. I did a quick search but it returned quite a few results and couldn't quickly spot anything that seemed to be asking this (based purely on thread titles).

What would people say are the best 120mm and 140mm case fans?
When I say best I mean with the highest CFM with the lowest noise. Since they're case fans I don't think they need high static pressure do they?

I've currently got some 120mm and 140mm Enermax TB Silence fans. they seem quiet enough, but they don't move massive amounts of air (or mine are faulty).

It seems that Akasa Apaches/Vipers would be good, but they are quite expensive (I'd need about 4 either 1 x 120mm + 3 x 140mm or just 4 x 120mm).

I've also looked at getting some CoolerMaster SickleFlow 120mm fans as they seem cheap and CM's site suggest they have good specs. Also the Xigmatek Black/Blue/Orange line 120mm fans seem reasonable (from the specs).

What's the difference between these and these? (except for stock numbers :))

I hope to be connecting them to a fan controller to have a bit of control over the noise/performance but would like the best CFM I can get for the least noise for when I do run them at 100%.

Since I don't 100% trust the specs and professional reviewers don't have to live with the fans after the review I thought I'd ask the people that do! (that's you guys! ;))

Thanks.
 
I say go with the AKASA Apache, even if they are expensive they're well worth the money!
Theres no difference between the two you linked, other than LED colour.

If you want you can go for some Enermax Apollish fans, which have an automatic temperature sensor to auto adjust the fan speed and noise level, they look really good although are also rather expensive and don't have the best airflow.

The Xigmatek Black 120mm Fan's are excellent though, brilliant noise:airflow ratio. I'd choose them if I had a low budget.
 
+1 for Akasa Apache for case fans. They seem to scale nicely in terms of CFM/noise.

I've got some Sharkoon 2000s I run on my watercooling radiator - they're lovely and silent at lower speeds, but once you ramp them up they are moderately loud. Mega static pressure though, if you need it.
 
Using 3x120mm Sharkoon silent eagles on my Thermochill rad,very quiet imo,have them at min speed most of the time and can barely hear them. Obviously noisier at full speed but not offensive, don't really need to ramp them up 'til summer though.
 
Personally I am using 4 Fractals (3x140mm, 1x120mm). I find they move enough air and are quiet enough for my ears. I have 2 Apache Blacks on my megahalems heatsink running at 100% and they are audioable, but not annoying, just a quiet humm really.
 
I use these:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-021-SY&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=4

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-000-PL&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1816

Both are quiet and shift a lot of air - but for that extra control, do connect to a fan controller.

Unfortunately, the Prolimatechs are out of stock @ OcUK atm.

I use the Scythe's in my Corsair 800D and the Prolimatech's in my Fractal Design R3 - the nosiest part of the set-up were the GTX480's.
 
I previously had Akasa Amber's and I always thought they were pretty loud and didn't 'seem' to move much air. I see them recommended, but really disagree, they are not a good combo of noise vs performance IMO.

The Akasa Apache is much MUCH quieter and whilst I can say whether it moves more (it 'feel's like it moves less than the amber), it is very very quiet. I have much more confident having this as the intake rather than the amber as it sits behind a filter so I want something capable of drawing air in through it decently.

I also have a sickleflow's on my HSF and they are amazingly quieter than the amber's it seems even though at 2000RPM compared to 1400rpm. Can't comment on the case fan ability though.
 
Scougar said:
I previously had Akasa Amber's and I always thought they were pretty loud and didn't 'seem' to move much air. I see them recommended, but really disagree, they are not a good combo of noise vs performance IMO.

The Akasa Apache is much MUCH quieter and whilst I can say whether it moves more (it 'feel's like it moves less than the amber), it is very very quiet. I have much more confident having this as the intake rather than the amber as it sits behind a filter so I want something capable of drawing air in through it decently.

I also have a sickleflow's on my HSF and they are amazingly quieter than the amber's it seems even though at 2000RPM compared to 1400rpm. Can't comment on the case fan ability though.
Click to expand...

Someone just raised a query on another Xigmatek Fan - might be worth looking into:

http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?productid=107&type=specification

Looks to have decent specs, but then again they all do on their own websites.
 
Crumbs. Pretty good specs if they are correct. OK, it's hitting 20 dBA, but can always turn tune it to perfection. (maybe missing the point of higher performing fan's though).
 
A quick search on google shopping shpoud help.

But there is one that is half the price of the high street shops - but has a delivery charge - just depends how many you want.
 
I personally use 2 Scythe Slip Streams. There are several versions of them, I'm running the SY1225SL12SH. The fans are very good, and they can move a massive amount of air, but at the full 2000+ rpm you'll get blown out of the room. However, since you have a fan controller, the noise wont be an issue.
Up to 1200 rpm they remain nearly silent and that's actually the maximum speed I've set them to run, since that's enough for them to handle my 2600k overclocked at 4.8Ghz on my megahalems rev B.
When my cpu is idle they run at 1000 rpm and unless I put my ear right next to my case I can't hear a thing.
Unfortunately, I haven't seen them on OcUK, but you should be able to get them easily from other shops in the UK.
 
SeeknDestroy said:
I personally use 2 Scythe Slip Streams. There are several versions of them, I'm running the SY1225SL12SH. The fans are very good, and they can move a massive amount of air, but at the full 2000+ rpm you'll get blown out of the room. However, since you have a fan controller, the noise wont be an issue.
Up to 1200 rpm they remain nearly silent and that's actually the maximum speed I've set them to run, since that's enough for them to handle my 2600k overclocked at 4.8Ghz on my megahalems rev B.
When my cpu is idle they run at 1000 rpm and unless I put my ear right next to my case I can't hear a thing.
Unfortunately, I haven't seen them on OcUK, but you should be able to get them easily from other shops in the UK.
Click to expand...

They're here.
 
I find it doesnt matter the specs of the fan etc, if its 120mm around 1000rpm is almost silent, anything more and its audible.
 
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