fan recommendations

paulc · 25 Jul 2006 at 16:57

I'm in the process of planning a new water cooled system and have started looking the the current state of fans. The current idea includes a PA 120.3 (with a shroud) and at least 2 other 120mm intakes or outlets in the case. Looking around, the AcoustiFans seem good performance/noise wise with the slight draw back that the're rather expensive, i.e. 5 fans would be approaching £100. They do come with speed control cables, but would it be better to have less expensive fans connected to some form of fan controller? Papst and Panaflo (or whatever they are called now) seem to be the other main contenders, though Nexus don't seem to be too bad either. Are there any fans people would recommend for use with a rad as opposed to case fans? I would definitely prefer low noise over performance, the main reason I'm going for a 120.3 is to be able to run relatively low speed fans and still achieve decent cooling.

MikeTimbers · 25 Jul 2006 at 18:05

Nexus or if you can find them Yate Loon. PA series was pretty much designed* for Nexus fans.

*Marci to the white phone! Marci to the white phone!

Borden · 25 Jul 2006 at 18:15

If you want a low speed and still get a decent cfm then get some panaflo fans and 5/7volt mod them. I can't recommend them enough.

Mundu · 25 Jul 2006 at 19:16

I was about to get a Nexus myself to sort out my cooling needs until I realised the heatsink had half fallen off!

paulc · 25 Jul 2006 at 20:59

Just having a look around and noticed that the model number for the 120mm Nexus is the same as the Yate Loon fans. The Yate Loons seem to have higher cfm and also higher dB so I think I'm heading toward Nexus fans for the rad and perhaps a couple of AcoustiFans for the case fans. (Although could always mod or fan control them anyway...)

DaveMac · 25 Jul 2006 at 21:57

Nexus are cherry picked Yate Loons so should be slightly better performing.
Sharkoon Silent Eagle fans may also be worth a look.

edit:
Also the shroud does very little on the PA series rads, not worth the cost if you haven't bought it already.

paulc · 25 Jul 2006 at 22:40

Sounds good on the Nexus front. I had read that the fact that the shroud means the fans are mounted away from the radiator improves the air flow. I guess the difference will not be that much, and anyway, less money spent here means it can be spent elsewhere. Cheers.

IT Troll · 26 Jul 2006 at 11:12

This months issue of Custom PC has a huge comparative test of fans which might be worth a look.

Sharkoon do come out well as being high performing, quiet and good value.