Quiet case fans?

[jarablue]

I am doing some shopping for quiet case fans. The regular size. What do you guys rec for most quiet/best cooling? Thanks guys.

 

[thecarguy]

If you've got the cash, I would recommend SilenX fans.
SilenX Fan Homepage

If you want to go a little bit cheaper, Panaflo or Enermax fans are the best in my opinion.

 

[Kckazdude]

Everyone that I have read that has the SilentX fans claim they are so quiet because they push no air. Panaflo fans are pretty quiet and keep a good amount of air flow going.

 

[jarablue]

Hmm I don't know what to pic. You guys ever hear of pabst fans? What about them? Panaflo sounds good silentx seems quite. I don't know.

 

[Kckazdude]

Pabst is another good fan. I have never used them becuase they were more difficult to find over the Panaflos.

 

[TheMostWantedPolishTwin]

Papst are said to be really quiet...

 

[Neurofreeze]

Everyone that I have read that has the SilentX fans claim they are so quiet because they push no air. Panaflo fans are pretty quiet and keep a good amount of air flow going.

Well their RPMs are in the ballpark range to push that amount of air. For instance, their most attractive looking fan:

Fan Dimensions: 80 x 80 x 25mm
Fan Input: 12V/1.2W
Fan Speed: 2200 RPM
Air Flow: 28 CFM
Noise Level: 14 dBA

looks like it has the right RPM for that size and CFM. So either they have some gross inefficiency with their fanblades or they're outright lying about the RPM.

I'm wondering if current reviews are comparing these fans to normal fans though. 28 CFM for a normal 80mm fan is pretty low, but for quiet fans, it's quite good (the ubiquitous panaflo is 21db/24CFM).

Still... those specs look way too good to be true. Not even the good Pabst fans (which still cost twice as much as these) reached that ratio of noise-to-CFM. Last I checked the Papst 8412NGML was one of their best (and like $30 USD... if you can find it) and it only had 19dB/26.5CFM.

If it's even remotely close (I'd settle for 20db/28CFM), I'd buy'em instantly.

 

[ra-odin]

I dunno, looks like their noise ratings are understated. Its not hard to fudge noise ratings, anyway - they can just measure it from farther away and not mention it except in fine-print somewhere.

 

[CrimandEvil]

Heres some reviews for you:
SilenX PSU, I'd imagine that they'd use their own fans in it
Acoustic fan
Papst fans
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article63-page1.html
One of the best places for this kind of info: http://www.silentpcreview.com/index.php

 

[Neurofreeze]

I dunno, looks like their noise ratings are understated. Its not hard to fudge noise ratings, anyway - they can just measure it from farther away and not mention it except in fine-print somewhere.

I was commenting on possibilities if Kckazdude's assessment is correct and reviewers think that the fans are only quiet because of their low CFM output, not on the most probable fault in their specs. But I agree, manufacturers tend to stretch their dB readings.

Heres some reviews for you:
SilenX PSU, I'd imagine that they'd use their own fans in it
Acoustic fan
Papst fans
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article63-page1.html
One of the best places for this kind of info: http://www.silentpcreview.com/index.php

Ugh. I can't believe there's sites out there that specifically review only cooling equipment noise levels, yet don't have any actual measurements of noise or CFM. It's like reviewing a CPU without a single benchmark.

This is especially bad with sound, which is probably as subjective as the best pizza toppings.

That SilentPCReview place is a terrible, terrible place for actual reviews, but good with general knowledge and techniques on building a silent pc.

Here's a very common quote from their site (ie. on every review) about Brown Bead (noise dampening material):

As I do not have access to a SPL meter, my noise comparisons are based on listening alone.

Wow, what's next? Overclocking reviews with no measurement of the overclock? Or how about heatsink comparisons with no thermal readings?

 

[Kckazdude]

I havent read any specific reveiws on the fans. Just found negative comnets in a few different forums. Think I saw a thread over at Anands not too long ago about them. Was just enough negaitive comments that I would personaly keep my Panaflos before getting the SilentX.