Replacing Fractal Design Define XL fans / CPU cooler

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Hi,

I'm looking to replace the standard fans from my Fractal Design Define XL case as they are rather noisy and replace my stock 2600K cooler. My only requirements are that they are silent.

I need to replace the following fans:

2 x 140mm
1 x 180mm

I'm also looking to replace the stock 2600K cooler, as that seems to be quite noisy.

I've got quite a bit of space to play with in the case (picture below - please excuse my poor attempt at cable management), so component size (touch wood) shouldn't be an issue.



Thanks in advance.

Ross
 
Hi,

I'm looking to replace the standard fans from my Fractal Design Define XL case as they are rather noisy and replace my stock 2600K cooler. My only requirements are that they are silent.

I need to replace the following fans:

2 x 140mm
1 x 180mm

Noise = speed = airflow

Unless the fractal fans were designed by someone totally incompetent you won't get much out of replacing them. For X amount of cooling at Y fan size you need Z rpm which will make A noise.

If you don't have a problem with temperatures and you don't mind the look of the Fractal fans, have you tried reducing the speed (and thus the noise).


Regarding the cooler, do you want to overclock or are you cool with it at stock and just want something quieter.
 
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I've used those Fractal Design fans in a build for my brother and I couldn't hear them even when they were on full speed. Are you sure it's not something else in your case making the noise? GPU or even the stock CPU cooler? Just trying to save you a few quid since quality fans aren't cheap!
 
I've used those Fractal Design fans in a build for my brother and I couldn't hear them even when they were on full speed. Are you sure it's not something else in your case making the noise? GPU or even the stock CPU cooler? Just trying to save you a few quid since quality fans aren't cheap!

I believe the ones they have stock in their cases are more vigorous than the ones they sell by themselves.

Recall someone moaning that the Fractal fans they bought didn't match the ones in their Fractal case.
 
Thanks for that.

I did have them on the stock fan controller, but tbh that was cheap and nasty. I'll have a crack at reducing the speed manually to see if that helps.

This is apparently the current temperatures (according to speedfan):

unled2ne.jpg


As for the CPU cooler, at this moment in time I have no desire to overclock it as it is quick enough for me, but I may do one day (it has crossed my mind).
 
Have you noticed that Speedfan is saying your CPU is at 128 degrees then :p

Fairly unlikely since it would have shut down but use Coretemp or similar for cpu temps.

Ok, well fiddle with the fan speeds, see if them being run slower will do it for you.

For the cpu cooler, with emphasis on being quiet and no fuss about overclocking I'd suggest the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev. 2

I got one for a family computer, not too expensive, not too big, very quiet, has the fan mounted to the heatsink with little rubber pegs to reduce noise. Seems to be very popular with everyone that gets it.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-035-AR&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395
 
Thank you very much, I will have a fiddle with the speeds now and see if it makes it any quieter.

Yeah I noticed that my CPU was apparently on fire :P That's why I took the reading with a pinch of salt.
 
I have the same case this is what I did to it to get it quiet and cool running.

I use the Bequiet fans there the 1 x 120mm and 4 x 140mm and the stock 180mm fan at top.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=20343245&postcount=5594

Also this thread, we talk about this case there and what you can do to it and you will see when I had my old system in that case too and the different CPU coolers that went into it.


http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18301766


Also turn your top drive bay around as I have done, that way it will allow more air to get to the graphics card and will make less noise too, because the air from the 140mm front fan is not fighting then to get threw.
 
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I'm using this case as a file server and even with a stock amd cooler and 6 HDD's I can't hear anything from the machine unless my head is right next to it :eek:
 
Sorry for the delayed reply, I've been blowing money on other tech :D, so haven't thought about this.

Ordered a Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev 2 and a Antec Truequiet 140mm Case Fan to see if that is quieter that the stock, if it is then I will replace the other (if it isn't then I will return it to Amazon).

@Purgatory Thanks for that. I've got a few days off at the end of the week, so I think I will be stripping back the PC and replacing the fans.
 
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I installed the CPU cooler (Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev 2) and the two 140mm fans this morning (Antec Truequiet 140mm) and they are whisper quiet. The only fan I can (barely) hear now is the 180mm stock fan and I am looking to replace that with a Silverstone Air Penetrator.

Thanks for all the help :)
 
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