** GT REPLACEMENT - Watercooling Optimised Fan **

rjk

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
 
the price is absolutely mental.

Silverstone have provided me with some positive feedback on my suggestions so hopefully I will know more soon.

but at the moment, this really is the best bang for buck WC fan in the market at the moment.
 
haha. yeah the colour isnt ideal. but in honesty, the GT was our most popular fan in 2013 by 2:1 on its next best seller and that fan was grey and looked crap.

at least this fan actually looks decent.
 
we have every product silverstone sell on our website currently except for their new fan releases.

we are currently setting up a load of their newer fans this includes the different size FQ Series
 
Last edited:
Not doing a bundle on two. Its a low price now to encourage uptake and get people talking about it
 
three of these fans cost the same as one gentle typhoon did.

if buying two of these fans [which are dirt cheap anyway] break the bank, then you shouldn't be watercooling :p
 
no

push pull on high static pressure fans is inefficient.

one set of fans pushing is all you need.
 
im just testing stuff out with the product setups at the moment. got 6 or so more to go live. just trying to match fan specs to FPI specs of the rads.
 
I wouldnt say theyre better than the GTs, just on par. [which is no bad thing at all]

the fact remains though that the GT is EOL and you cant buy them now. These are freely available.


we have basically sold out overnight. so i have a few boxes on their way from Silverstone now. More will be here next week.
 
smsmasters said:
If I were to replace all my 12 GT 1850s with these, would it be worth it?
Click to expand...

for someone who already has Gentle Typhoons

no

for people who want to buy a Watercooling orientated fan right now, the FQ121 is the next best thing. It performs pretty much the same as gentle typhoon and most importantly is actually available where as the GT is EOL.

for newcomers or people looking to kit out a radiator with performance fans, this is an excellent option.
 
Make said:
Could you do a test of these vs e-loops :)

Both push/pull test would be nice as I heard e-loops don't do pull well but they are excellent at push.

Thinking of replacing my H100i fans as they are just loud as f*ck.
Click to expand...

push pull is pointless on a static pressure optimised fan.
 
SilverStone Rep said:
Just to add, this fan design is also used on our AIO coolers, the Tundra TD02 and Tundra TD03.

They have white fan blades on black frame colour combination, do you think this is better looking than the FQ121's blue and white?
Click to expand...

I like the black and white design more, however the specifications of the FQ121 are best suited for performance custom water loops.

I imagine the fans included in the tundra coolers are optimised for the denser FPI on the radiators of the all in one solutions.
 
Hi Guys

So Silverstone have come back to me this morning with pricing quotes for my new 'rjkoneill designed SST-FQ121WC'

this fan is being built to my exact spec :D


Silverstone have been working around the clock to get this built for me.

I should have my samples early next month.

the fan will probably be a little more expensive than the standard FQ121 as they are being made in much smaller quantities, but will have the added advantage of a better spec.


I wont give too much away but it is essentially the following:

- SST-FQ121 Frame and Blade design
- No sticker on the front of the fan.
- Colour Black Blades / Black Frame
- Same Bearing as SST-FQ121
- No PWM
- 3 Pin Connector in black.

The lack of PWM means it is ideal for watercooling enthusiasts looking to run their system on a fan control unit. This will be perfect for users running low FPI radiators and Smart controllers like the Aquaero as the noise level and speed will be able to be tuned.

Given the performance I have seen from the standard FQ121 run in 3 pin configuration and used on a fan controller, it showed promising performance even at low fan speeds.

I will try and keep you all updated on the development of this fan.

In the meantime, we have plenty of FQ121 on order with Silverstone and they are due to land late this week. We have cleared out all of their stock in europe so hopefully they will have some more available soon.
 
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