How loud is...

NotAGolf · 20 May 2007 at 14:43

the fan that came with my case? I'm looking at getting a 120mm fan and it has a decibal rating of 21.2. I know this isn't the quietest around but I can get one for dead cheap but i'm not sure how this would compare to the one I have currently in my Antec (SLK3700 i think) case? Any ideas?

*edit
Also, how can you change the speed of a fan and/or voltage? Bios or software? Ta

Raikiri · 20 May 2007 at 14:46

Not a clue what the standard one is rated at. But you should have a look for Yate Loon or Nexus fans, they are the only ones that give an honest rating (for example, even good ones like the Scythes claim 8.7db which is a load of rubbish).

Nexus fans tend to be expensive but are exactly the same as yate loons only running at 10v, the yate loons can be had for £5 each.

mpledge52 said:
*edit
Also, how can you change the speed of a fan and/or voltage? Bios or software? Ta

Software - speedfan sometimes works
Bios - Asus Q-fan but I have found it to be useless
Hardware - Fan controller, by far the easiest way
Hardware - Mod the molex connectors, not hard to do but you won't be able to change the speed quickly.

NotAGolf · 20 May 2007 at 14:54

Do you have a Nexus or Yate Loon fan Raikiri? Just had a look but their silence rating is 28db which is much more than most fans around here, and they dont push much more air?

Or are you saying that its true 28db so its not too bad and all the other products are just 'lying'?

Raikiri · 20 May 2007 at 15:02

The reason they seem worse is because they are accurate, I have some nexus fans which are rated at 22db yet they are far quieter than an Akasa Amber rated at 18db and push as nearly much air. They are probably silent at 3 feet away and 'whisper' quiet with your ear right up to them.

Normally Nexus fans cost a load (£12ish) but if you look around they are often on auction sites, I paid £4.50 each for mine.

PhillyDee · 20 May 2007 at 15:20

Ive just installed a coolink SWiF 120mm silent fan in my Tuniq. Tried it outside the case, and it has to be said, at full pelt it IS silent. I couldn't hear it. Tempted to get another 3 to replace my case fans.

Air volume at full speed (12V), CFM ±10% 36.1
Noise level at full speed (12V), dB(A) 17.0
Fan speed at full speed (12V), RPM ±10% 1200
Air volume at reduced speed (7.5V), CFM ±10% 22.2
Noise level at reduced speed (7.5V), dB(A) 9.0
Fan speed at reduced speed (7.5V), RPM ±10% 700