PWM vs Normal (Difference?) Advice/Recommendation

[TheyCallMeAndy]

Hey all


Im probably being stupid but what is the difference between PWM & Normal type fans ive been looking at fans and no idea what the difference is, im only looking at fans as im trying to buy them for a watercooling rig and i am not sure what ones to get PWM or Normal fans so any recommendations would be recommended. Not sure whether to use a fan controller too would probably be the best so recommendations on that would also be good!

Thanks

Andy

 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

I am using these Enermax 3-pin fans and Lamptron FC6 fan controller.
If you want PWM, Enermax also makes those and they are a bit faster yet still quiet.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Lamptron FC6 5.25" Bay Fan Controller - Black £29.99
1 x Enermax T.B.Silence PWM UCTB12P 120m Fan £11.99
1 x Enermax T.B.Silence UCTB12 120mm Fan £4.80
Total : £56.38 (includes shipping : £8.00).

Well i have an MSI Z87-G45 Would you say to go for the PWM or the Normal because i love the look and performance of the Enermax fans, i don't want the corsair overpriced looks fans seeing as they look the best in my opinion, which would you recommend for a custom loop and my board!

Thanks!

 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

What's your case and how many 120 and how many 140 fans can you instal in it and where?
You can use PWM fans with controller too. I don't really like my motherboard controlling them. I found they were always spinning to slow.
When I found those Enermax fans, I was a little reluctant because of the price being so low, but now I was using them for a few weeks and I can tell you, I will never look back at PWM fans.
I would go for those normal fans, push/pull on radiators. You get 2.5 fans for the price of 1 Corsair SP120, quieter and similar performance maybe a bit lower static pressure, but with push pull it wont matter that much. I checked and these Enermax fans on max speed have enough to cool 40mm radiator in push-only, with thicker rads push/pull would be a good idea. And they are really quiet. I can only hear mine when I put my ear to the case.

I will have a Corsair Carbide Air 540, would you still go with the same recommendations?

 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

You need to be careful with PWM fans going through a controller, a lot of them will make a low pitched humming noise, which is bloody awful. I found with mine that if you get a PWM splitter cable works the best

I connects to either a molex or sata for the power, and then a single 3 pin connector goes to a motherboard header, just for the speed control.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-079-AK

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-070-AK

Thankyou for the advice i just went for the normal 3 pin fans and im going to hook them to a fan controller.!

 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

So, how did it go?
Installed and running yet?

Yeah, their great very quiet thanks for the recommendations!