Cooler Master R4-C2R-20AC-GP

[Flogger23m]

Was looking on Amazon and I came across the following 120mm fan for around $8:

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/category.php?category_by=0&category_id=1655&category_name=120mm%20Fans

It claims 19dba with a CFM of 69 at 2000 RPM. It seems like that claim is a bit exaggerated, or do these fans really push that much air at such a low noise level? If so I might pick one up.

How does the Noctua 120mm compare? :

http://www.amazon.com/Noctua-NF-S12B-120mm-Adjustable-Bevelled/dp/B00276D4RG/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1331511448&sr=1-1-spell

I'm looking for something that can give me more CFM per dba than my current Antec tri 120mms. Are either worth upgrading to?

 

[Archmage]

Coolermaster R4 fans are pretty good.

R4 Blademasters supposedly "push" the air more forcefully through constriction - they were designed for greater static pressure.

Noctua fans seem to be designed to have a tolerable "noise profile." By that I mean that while their total noise level per CFM, objectively, may not measure appreciably better than other decent fans, they don't sound offensive. Subjectively, people seem to agree with this...

I prefer the Scythe GT fans. They measure quieter for the CFM (than any other fan, to my knowledge). The noise profile can be more bothersome for some people, but if I find the right voltage on my fan controller...my Scythe GT fans can be potentially free from noticeable resonances anyway.

http://martinsliquidlab.org/2010/11/04/120mm-fan-testing-on-an-mcr120-radiator-round-6-summary/ - This is a link I often provide. The Scythe GTs stand out, but you can see that the Coolermaster R4 is no slouch. The cheap Yate Loon fans are pretty good as well.

Note that he does stress subjective noise quality, and if you continue on to following pages, there are audio clips of the fans.

Below about 1000 RPM, differences diminish.

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1670508 - The 1st test linked in this thread is informative. I wanted to link this; OCN member "ehume" has done a good 65-fan test on his megahalems heatsink.

Having used the Scythe GTs, Yate Loons, R4, and actually Antec Tri-cool fans... I'd say that the Scythe GT is significantly better than the others above 1150 RPM (default RPM of GT AP-13). The Antec fans I had were not good. They were, in fact, the worst fans I've ever owned, which suggests a bad batch.