Best Fan and Controller Combo?

MightyMatt

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Dec 23, 2006
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Hey all you computer gurus! I just got this Corsair 300R case and am looking for the best fans and controller to put in it. Would you all mind helping me out with your expert advice, please?

My couple questions along this topic are mostly directly related to my new case (for my old build), so here goes:
1. The 300R has 7 120mm/ 140mm fan slots. Do I want 120mm or 140mm fans? What are the trade-offs? How many would I want?

2. What are the best fans for the 300R? I don't want to spend over $15 per fan (unless the two stock fans are good), since the dollars add up quick at that price. I've done a lot of research on here and have some ideas, but what do you guys think? Blue LED's are a plus ;)

3. Do any good controllers exist that tell you the RPM's and maybe the case temp? So far, the only LCD display controllers I've found have been deemed, "not-durable." Are there fans that won't work with a controller?

While it might not give off much more heat, I'm looking to overclock my CPU (see sig) to 3.4GHz, so air-flow is a concern, but I don't want to have noisy fans that won't last. If anybody can answer any of my above questions, I'd REALLY appreciate it. I can do research, but advice from the experts on here has always served me best. :)
 
Lamptron FC-Touch. Top-notch quality. You can also look at the Scythe Kaze Master series. They both have RPM monitoring and temperature monitoring capabilities. I would avoid the cheap Aerocool and NZXT controllers.

140mm fans will have more airflow for less RPM, which translates to less noise. However, the selection of fans is much more limited. I would go with 140mm fans.

I would keep the stock fans, and see how they perform. Then you can decide whether you want to replace them.

This is $12.47 if you buy 6 or more, and has blue LEDs. Not sure how good it is though. In general, sleeve bearings are the worst, and will degrade more rapidly than other types of fans. But they're also the cheapest.
 
Comparrison of 2 Scythe Kaze Master controllers on Newegg

Which one of those two controllers do you guys think is best for controlling up to 6 140mm fans? Is there a better controller out there? The price on that touchscreen controller is the highest I'd probably even consider for a fan controller, but am not sure where to get a new one, or if the price of a new one would be worth it. Thoughts on all three of those controllers, if that Lamptron also gets thrown into the mix?

Any other good fan ideas? It seems like 140mm's are a good idea. Anyone have any 140mm fan experience and care to make some recommendations?

Thanks for all that feedback Tsumi!
 
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yeah i don't know about scythe controllers myself. had 2 (4 & 8 channel) personally, both were shit as one channel on each didn't spin up the fans correctly. in fairness they were cheap controllers.

second tsumi recommendation on fan controller, lamptron. even the cheapest lamptron will power an ridiculous number of fans. the FC-Touch tsumi mentioned is bullet-proof like all lamptron units.

you could look at a 'aquaero 5' controller tho is way over-kill and mainly targeted at the WC crowd. i've had 2 of those but it was buggy so i returned them. the software that accesses the controller via a internal USB header is unparalleled however. you can control & monitor everything via the software without ever looking at the actual unit. if they iron out the bugs, i'd get a 'aquaero' unit again no problem.

regarding fans, again tsumi's comments are very good (not sure why i'm bothering to add my 5 cents worth) and you get what you pay for. if you want something to last for years, Noise Blockers, Gentle Typhoons, Noctua. don't know about the GT's but the Noise Blockers, Noctua's have 7 & 6 year warranty's (respectively) not to mention some of the best performance (and quietest) fans on the market.

on LED fans, really good fans don't do 'light bling'. if you want some lighting, grab some LED globes/strips or CCFL's.
 
Hey don't leave out Yate loons, I can swear by those fans.

I have the NZXT Sentry and its not good, You can't go lower than 40% for the low speed.
 
lamptron. even the cheapest lamptron will power an ridiculous number of fans. the FC-Touch tsumi mentioned is bullet-proof like all lamptron units.

if you want something to last for years, Noise Blockers, Gentle Typhoons, Noctua. don't know about the GT's but the Noise Blockers, Noctua's have 7 & 6 year warranty's (respectively) not to mention some of the best performance (and quietest) fans on the market.

on LED fans, really good fans don't do 'light bling'. if you want some lighting, grab some LED globes/strips or CCFL's.

Hey don't leave out Yate loons, I can swear by those fans.

How about this Yate Loon 140mm fan, with blue LEDs? - $12

This Noctua 140mm is the sexiest fan (if that is possibly) that I have run across. We might have a winner? Anyone have thoughts? - $25 (on Amazon)

Cooler Master 140mm with blue LED's? - $11

Cougar 140MM? - $17

Newegg Spec Comparison of the last three on that list.

What is/ are the best Noctua 120mm/ 140mm fans? I saw one review saying some of the 120's were better than that 140, is that true?

I have 7 fan slots on the Corsair 300R case (2 front, 2 top, 2 side, 1 back), thoughts on what I really need?

Fan Controller:
Lamptron Fan Controller 6 (FC6) Review - useful and absolutely hilarious at 3:50 :D
Link to Amazon FC6 page
Thoughts?
 
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FC-6 handles 20 watts a channel. That's easily 4-5 normal 120 or 140 fans per channel.

For the Yate Loon, buy directly from the Koolertek website. It's cheaper there.

The Yate Loon has the advantage of the fastest spinning fan out of all those fans, at 2000 RPM. That's what I would get if you plan on using a fan controller with them. 1200 RPM fans and below are already essentially silent.
 
So if I got a 2,000 RPM Yate Loon fan, versus a 1,000 RPM Yate Loon fan, I could just use a fan controller (FC Touch, hopefully, or the FC6) with the higher speed one and just bring the power/ speed down when I don't need as much cooling? Why are those fans the same price, but rated as totally different speeds? Is it just the set power consumption?

Would these Yate Loon fans be a problem down the road with noise, since they are sleeve bearings?

I really appreciate your input! :)

Would you go FC Touch or FC6? I'm going to try and find a FC Touch out there, but we'll see...
 
If you don't have a front door on your case, I would get the FC 6. I prefer knobs, they're much simpler and more intuitive. If you want automatic control based on temperature, or if you have a door, get the FC Touch.

If you get the 2000 RPM, and turn it down to 50%, it will spin at 1000 RPM.

There really are only problems if you use them in the horizontal position. Just google it, it's a fairly common problem. However, I have not noticed any noise problems yet using my Aerocool Silver Lightnings and Cooler Master R4 (both sleeve fans) in the horizontal position. They're about 2 years old now.

Initially, I thought my fans were making clicking noises because they were in the horizontal position. Turns out it was my fan controller.

Yeah, the NZXT Sentry is crap. I have a NZXT Sentry 2, and it's actually the loudest component in my computer. It makes really loud, annoying clicking noises.
 
FC Touch ordered. With that in mind, I need to decide on some fans...

I'm thinking 4-6 2,000 RPM Yate Loon fans that will go on the sides x2 (input), front x2 (input), and top x2 (output). If the lights dim as less power/ fan slows down, that would be very cool...or would it? Go no LED?

For the 1 back panel fan, I'm thinking of getting 1 Noctua NF-P14 FLX 140mm. The back fan is suppose to be 120mm, but this 140mm fan claims to fit in 120mm fan spots.

With 7 case fan spots (2 top, 2 front, 2 side, 1 back), what would you recommend with the above mentioned fans and controller? The controller is 6 channel, 30 watts max each, so it can control all, but 1 fan, if I really do get 7 fans. I don't need that much airflow, but I do want there to be no issues overclocking my current CPU and upgrading to a solid vid card in the near future. Thoughts?
 
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I have a NZXT Sentry and I've had no problems with it. I've also never had to turn a fan completely off, so YMMV.
 
You can get a Y-splitter to allow you to control multiple fans with one channel.

Yes, the LEDs will dim with lower voltage. Personal experience with the Coolermaster R4 and Aerocool Silver Lightning fans.

With regards to using that 140mm fan on the rear 120mm fan spot, there has to be enough clearance around the fan area. Usually, there isn't, as the fan would sit right up against the case frame.
 
You can get a Y-splitter to allow you to control multiple fans with one channel.

Thanks, I might have to pick one up to get all 7 fans a controller with the FC Touch. Probably doesn't really matter, but which set of 2 fans should be under the same controller? Side, top, front?

Yes, the LEDs will dim with lower voltage. Personal experience with the Coolermaster R4 and Aerocool Silver Lightning fans.

I figured so, but I appreciate you confirming this with me. Seems like it'll be cool while gaming and then nice at night when the temps go down and it's bed time, haha.

With regards to using that 140mm fan on the rear 120mm fan spot, there has to be enough clearance around the fan area. Usually, there isn't, as the fan would sit right up against the case frame.

I looked at the case and I agree. The fan might bump into the mobo and that wouldn't be good. Thanks for helping me eliminate this idea!

I'm totally down with going for 6 of these Yate Loon 140mm Blue LED Fan, High Speed (D14SH-124B) fans for the front, side, and top fan spots. Is this a good idea? Would these work well with the FC Touch controller? Are there another set of fans that, for a similar price, would be a better dollar spent for what you get?

What should be the 1 120mm fan for the back panel air output? The stock Corsair fan or a 120mm Yate Loon, or something else?

Last thing, I think all of these Late Yoon's are OEM, so should I get a bunch of rubber screws? What ones? Thanks for your help!
 
Better price/performance fans than Yate Loons? I don't really think you can find any. Best performance/noise fans are the Gentle Typhoons, Noiseblockers, Noctua, and other fans.
 
For Scythe Gentle Typhoon AP 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15's, for example, would it really matter what one you got, as long as you had a fan controller? They're essentially the same model, right? Or would you want the highest RPM fan you could find and just lower the voltage?
 
I would get the AP-15 and turn it down.

But why couldn't you get the 11 and turn the voltage up? Is it the same model, except for the "default" voltage?

Anyway, I got 7 AP-15's, 1 Y-Splitter, and the FC Touch. Thanks for the help! :)
 
You can't turn up voltage unless you get a transformer.

They are designed to spin at that speed at 12v. The only way to increase voltage is to get a step-up transformer to 24v or something like that, since a PSU only outputs 12v. A fan controller does not have the ability to increase voltage, only lower it using a resistor.
 
You can't turn up voltage unless you get a transformer.

They are designed to spin at that speed at 12v. The only way to increase voltage is to get a step-up transformer to 24v or something like that, since a PSU only outputs 12v. A fan controller does not have the ability to increase voltage, only lower it using a resistor.

While this info wouldn't have changed my choice of fans, it is VERY good info to know. Thanks! I wonder how a 12v fan can spin at speeds > 5K RPM's...

What do you think of my soon-to-be future setup (Corsair 300R, 7x GT-AP15's, FC Touch, and a y-splitter)? You helped me make it. :)
 
I'm looking to get the FC Touch myself to replace my Sentry 2, let me know how you like it.

I personally like the design styling of my Cosmos 1000 case. I'm waiting on the 2150 RPM Gentle Typhoons to come in from the Overclock.net group buy, then I'm going to mod the bottom of my case to add an additional 360 radiator, and then have push/pull gentle typhoons on it.

I think you will like your setup. You'll get very good cooling while being able to be quiet at the same time.

It's simple, how they make it turn faster. They have more loops in the motor, so that it uses more amps. More amps = more power, so spin faster.
 
I have the lamp FC touch and im using it drive the 200mm corsair fans that come with the 650d and 1 120mm Noctua. It works excellent. The automatic mode is great once you set it up. I have my 200mm idle at 600 RPM the noctua 120 at 680 rpm and one 50x50 fan for the sabertooth p67 idle at 1140 rpm. Its very quiet setup and drives even the noctua fans perfectly which are totally silent at 680 rpm.

-Gun
 
I'm looking to get the FC Touch myself to replace my Sentry 2, let me know how you like it.

I personally like the design styling of my Cosmos 1000 case. I'm waiting on the 2150 RPM Gentle Typhoons to come in from the Overclock.net group buy, then I'm going to mod the bottom of my case to add an additional 360 radiator, and then have push/pull gentle typhoons on it.

I think you will like your setup. You'll get very good cooling while being able to be quiet at the same time.

It's simple, how they make it turn faster. They have more loops in the motor, so that it uses more amps. More amps = more power, so spin faster.

good to see OP has sorted his fan/controller needs.

tsumi, i'm also waiting on the GT fans from the OCN group buy. to be honest, not sure if we'll ever get them. that 'endeavour' was cursed from the get-go. i'm up for $100 for 8 'complete' fans, wondering if i'll ever see a return on it..
 
I bought 20 barebones fans, for one of my cousin who is rebuilding his computer (not exactly too sure why I did that, he's an ass).

Things seem to actually be moving now. Shipping supplies has actually arrived at Caselabs, so now is just getting all the shipping labels and sorting out who gets what.
 
I'm looking to get the FC Touch myself to replace my Sentry 2, let me know how you like it.

I personally like the design styling of my Cosmos 1000 case. I'm waiting on the 2150 RPM Gentle Typhoons to come in from the Overclock.net group buy, then I'm going to mod the bottom of my case to add an additional 360 radiator, and then have push/pull gentle typhoons on it.

I think you will like your setup. You'll get very good cooling while being able to be quiet at the same time.

It's simple, how they make it turn faster. They have more loops in the motor, so that it uses more amps. More amps = more power, so spin faster.

I'll definitely let you know how the FC Touch works out. It should be a lot of fun setting it up. Where would you put the temp sensors if you were setting your FC Touch and fans up?

Ya, I saw some charts on the latest fans and how much sound they gave off in comparison to airflow. These GT's should be hands down the best, but we'll see what they really sound like when I get 'em.

Again, thanks for all the input, I didn't want to go cheapo on the fans, since I got a nice controller. The controller and fans should last for years, so why skimp on something you'll be enjoying for the long haul!

I have the lamp FC touch and im using it drive the 200mm corsair fans that come with the 650d and 1 120mm Noctua. It works excellent. The automatic mode is great once you set it up. I have my 200mm idle at 600 RPM the noctua 120 at 680 rpm and one 50x50 fan for the sabertooth p67 idle at 1140 rpm. Its very quiet setup and drives even the noctua fans perfectly which are totally silent at 680 rpm.

When you're talking < 1,000 RPM's, I believe you when you say "silent." I'm looking forward myself to setting up the FC Touch and 7 GT-AP15's ;)

Where did you end up putting your temp sensors and how was setting up the auto settings?
 
My temp sensors are:

Fan 1, probe 1: front 200mm corsair sensor on CPU
Fan/ probe2: 200mm corsair exhaust top sensor on Video card heatsink/case
fan/Probe 3: Rear 120mm Noctua sensor on heatsink for what intel calls SATA6...I think its the NB chip...this is a poor choice as temps dont change much with use. I plan to move it to CPU or some better location
fan 4 probe 4: 50mm aux fan for sabertooth sensor on heatsink for power rail (the CPU fet/cap voltage regulator)

The other probes have no fans but are placed on RAM, and powersupply case.

To set the automatic temp profile I simply let the pc do normal activity for a while then ramped each fan speed down until the fan stopped then ramped speed up until it started and RPM stabilized then sped the fan up until I could hear it and then backed it off just to the point it made no noise by its self. Then I simply lowered the temp threshold until the fan revved up to 100% then increased temp threshold until the fan idled back down and then raised it a few more degrees.

So now the whole system is nice and quiet but when I put a load on it the fans throttle up all on their own and then shut up when it cool off after the load is removed.

It takes a little messing with to find the right probe places and proper thresholds but it totally awesome once its set.


The video card fan for my 8800 gtx ultra makes the most noise now...The two corsair 200mm fans are 2nd they dont use good bearings like the noctua which is amazing at 300RPM the 2 noctuas on the NH-D14 SE2011 with 4 pin PWM on y splitter into CPU 4 pin power socket and the 120mm noctua on the back of the case running at 690RPM driven by the lamptron can be heard when you take the side case off and place your ear 1 foot away from them after shutting down the two 200mm corsair fans and placing my finger on the Vid card fan...I can then pick out the noctua fans....I gotta replace the 200mm corsairs with some of the 140mm ones. (two for the top and I guess 1 for the intake unless I can come up with a better idea)
-Gun
 
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Thanks again guys. Here's my thread detailing my installation of the Gentle Typhoon 1850RPM fans and the Lamptron FTC fan controller: Link

:)
 
from reading the reviews, it appears as though lamptrons are really worth the price. i have not used one before so i cant really say.
 
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