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Need 120mm case fan recommendation

M

mrwill

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 26, 2005
Messages
174
I have a case fan that may be slowly failing. I would like to replace it with one that can move lots of air and be very quiet.

In fact, I saw a case fan roundup a few months ago, but it did not register at the time because I didn't need a fan then. I've also searched, but have not been able to find it. Any help?
 
Thats the fan I would get, that is a 300,000 hour fan - BUT THAT IS NOT A CASE FAN------THAT FAN IS A PWM AND IS USED TO COOL THE CPU-----------------------------------YOU NEED A CASE FAN
 
easytim said:
Thats the fan I would get, that is a 300,000 hour fan - BUT THAT IS NOT A CASE FAN------THAT FAN IS A PWM AND IS USED TO COOL THE CPU-----------------------------------YOU NEED A CASE FAN
Click to expand...

What's wrong with using a PWM fan for a case? And what's with your use of caps? :confused: calm down buddy.
 
Don't worry about the caps,I only do that so you can see it, thats all.

With a CPU fan (PWM) will run twice the speed as a case fan and make twice the noise. If you use all PWM it will sound like a rocket ship:)
 
easytim said:
Don't worry about the caps,I only do that so you can see it, thats all.

With a CPU fan (PWM) will run twice the speed as a case fan and make twice the noise. If you use all PWM it will sound like a rocket ship:)
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that's false, why would it run twice as fast?
 
unreal89 said:
I'm pretty sure that's false, why would it run twice as fast?
Click to expand...

Plugging a 4-pin fan into a 3-pin fan plug on a mobo would result in the fan running at full speed, but that's about it. However if the mobo has a 4-pin plug (and many nice mobos these days feature 4-pin plugs throughout versus ONLY for the CPU), using a PWM fan would be fine. The bios would modulate the speed of the fan in accordance to temperature data and everyone is happy.
 
I understand that. I'm wondering why he sated that "CPU fan (PWM) will run twice the speed as a case fan and make twice the noise." That has nothing to do with it being PWM.
 
unreal89 said:
I understand that. I'm wondering why he sated that "CPU fan (PWM) will run twice the speed as a case fan and make twice the noise." That has nothing to do with it being PWM.
Click to expand...

He might be confusing "twice the speed" with "max speed b/c pwm fan plugged to 3-pin mobo" but other then that I got no idea. He's wrong AFAIK.
 
Thats a lot of money for just a case fan imo. You can get a really good case fan for a lot less.
 
colinstu said:
He might be confusing "twice the speed" with "max speed b/c pwm fan plugged to 3-pin mobo" but other then that I got no idea. He's wrong AFAIK.
Click to expand...

Look at the top RPM speed of a PWM at full voltage 12VDC

look at what it says, look at the top RPM's in the range
 
Are you after some kind of bling? or just a good workhorse case fan?

If you want great prices, quality fans and excellent shipping prices......give a look over to sidewindercomputers.

If you have questions, you can even call the guy and speak to him directly, best prices anywhere.:p
 
Arctic Cooling PWM

I have 11 total in my system and they work beautifully.
 
You need a fan, that has a good CFM to dBA ratio.
Another aspect is, if that you will mount it in vertical or horizontal position, because for sleeve bearing fans it is recommended to mount them vertically.
Usually, PWM fans at lower rpm have clicking noise too. Other non-PWM fans when undervolted, are producing a low frequency hum or drone (like my Slipstream 1200rpm has below 1000 rpm).
The last (but also important) option is the price of the fan.

Like magoo asked, are you after a good fan or for some sh1t.

A few recommendations for case fans from me:
Zalman ZM-F3 (or Nexus Basic/Yate Loon D12SL-12 but it's only 1000-1100 rpm, it doesn't move much air)
Nanoxia FX Evo IFC 1300 rpm
Noiseblocker PL2, M12-S2
Scythe D1225C12B5AP-15, if you find any.
 
I like the gentle typhoons myself

the scythe AP-15 in the post above, you kind of have to seek them out though

also +1 on sidewinder, great outfit
 
I have a bunch of AP-15's in my rig. Works very well and very quiet. It may take some searching to find stock though.
 
I haven't used anything better than those Scythe AP-15's, they are really quiet for the amount of air they move. At the full 1850 rpm they are a bit loud so if you don't have a fan controller it might be a better idea to get the 1450 rpm version instead.

I'm surprised they're so hard to find in the US, here in the UK they're in stock at pretty much every major retailer.
 
+1 to the recommendation on;
-Noiseblockers (M12-S3HS 1800 rpm/ M12-P 2000 rpm)
-Scythe Gentle Typhoon AP15 (1850 rpm)

you could get lower rpm versions tho i always wonder why. better to have a fan controller/use bios duty control. both fans are very quiet especially when throttled. recommend the use of rubber washers tho the NB's don't need 'em (built-in). also both the NB's & GT's have a very long MTBF due to being ball bearing fans. stay away from sleeve bearings, they're lucky to last half the time.
 
aphasia said:
+1 to the recommendation on;
-Noiseblockers (M12-S3HS 1800 rpm/ M12-P 2000 rpm)
-Scythe Gentle Typhoon AP15 (1850 rpm)
Click to expand...

For a case fan? Seems like a waste to me.

stay away from sleeve bearings, they're lucky to last half the time.
Click to expand...

A good sleeve will do the job just fine when mounted vertically. I also find the noise at around 1000rpm generally more tolerable than a GT. Thats on a good sleeve.
 
easytim said:
Don't worry about the caps,I only do that so you can see it, thats all.

With a CPU fan (PWM) will run twice the speed as a case fan and make twice the noise. If you use all PWM it will sound like a rocket ship:)
Click to expand...

I run two TY-140 PWM fans as case fans. One runs off the 4 pin MB case fan header and the other is run off the CPU 4 pin header with a splitter. This is a good arrangement for a quieter PC. PWM need not only be for CPU coolers.
 
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