Cooling my 650d

brawl3r · 24 Oct 2011 at 20:12

hi guys, wanted to know what 120mm fans to get, as im replacing the 200mm on the top for 2x 120mm and 1 for my h80.
cost isnt a factor, i want something with really good airflow and not as loud as the corsair Fans cheers.

Goose · 24 Oct 2011 at 20:15

I cant speak from experience but i think most people recomend the Scythe Gentle Typhoons. If i had the money that's what i'd get.

brawl3r · 24 Oct 2011 at 20:24

thanks for the input goose will have a look at them now cheers. would it be better to get 140s for the top or the 120s?

Goose · 24 Oct 2011 at 20:43

I dont think it matters too much (but dont take my word for it) and as far as i'm aware the Gentle Typhoons only come in 120mm size anyway.

You could take a look here as well for some more options.

brawl3r · 24 Oct 2011 at 20:57

thanks mate just 1 more question for you it says the h80 fans are only 22db that cant be right as they sound like a mini jet and are about to take off :s

Goose · 24 Oct 2011 at 22:27

The noise ratings from manufacturers are always waaaay off. You're best sticking with the ratings you get from the various review sites for any given fan.

Louis_Y · 25 Oct 2011 at 19:42

I think you'd be better off going for 200/230mm fans rather than 120mm. Larger fans spinning slowly are generally quieter than smaller fans spinning faster. I put 2x230mm BitFenix Spectres in my 650d and at 350rpm they are pretty much inaudible. The loudest fan is probably the 120mm Sharkoon Silent Eagle 1000 as the rear exhaust running at around 800rpm.

Goose · 25 Oct 2011 at 21:23

How much air do they shift though? Bigger doesn't always mean better.

Louis_Y · 25 Oct 2011 at 23:45

For example (manufacturer's figures, so assume they both lie by the same amount...):

Scythe Gentle Typhoon:

- Dimensions 119 x 119 x 25 mm
- Air volume at full speed (12V), CFM ±10% 58.0
- Noise level at full speed (12V), dB(A) 28.0
- Fan speed at full speed (12V), RPM ±10% 1850

BitFenix Spectre 230mm:

- Speed (RPM): 700-900
- Air Flow (CFM): 115
- Noise (dB-A): 20

So running the larger fan slower means I can theoretically achieve the same airflow at much lower noise levels (or much higher airflow at the same noise levels). Hence the shift generally to larger fans for case fans I would think. There are lots of other variables of course so what works for one situation may not be ideal for another, but the 650d is designed for the larger fans so switching to multiple smaller ones doesn't seem to make much sense to me.