Triple 120mm fans vs dual 140mm?

[Jewfishy]

Hey, looking at the NZXT H440 andit has either a dual 140mm fans or triple 120mm. Since the H440 is already noise dampened and I really don't mind how loud it is, would it be better to go for the triple 120mm?

[Guest]

I would go with dual 140mm, it's quieter and moves more air.

[Ryan_Stein]

do the math 2x140=280 3x120=360 3x120 will cool better, but just a warning even with the sound dampening loud fans will still be audible, but all in all I'd just go with a 360 rad and some good fans

[Wiflare]

360 rad would be better, but it usually costs more.
If it's a custom loop, I'm not sure that price is a factor.

[TheProfosist]

360 will be better based on surface area but also because the rad optimized 120mm fans are just better since there wasnt much need for rad optimized 140mm until recently.

[TheNinjaNextDor]

Area:

 

360: 120x120x3=43200mm squared

 

280: 140x140x2=39200mm squared

 

So the 360 since it has more area and you can more easily get fans for it.

[kuzimins]

do the math 2x140=280 3x120=360 3x120 will cool better, but just a warning even with the sound dampening loud fans will still be audible, but all in all I'd just go with a 360 rad and some good fans

 

 

360 rad would be better, but it usually costs more.

If it's a custom loop, I'm not sure that price is a factor.

 

 

360 will be better based on surface area but also because the rad optimized 120mm fans are just better since there wasnt much need for rad optimized 140mm until recently.

 

 

Area:

 

360: 120x120x3=43200mm squared

 

280: 140x140x2=39200mm squared

 

So the 360 since it has more area and you can more easily get fans for it.

He's not asking for rads but for fans

[TheNinjaNextDor]

He's not asking for rads but for fans

Yeah, but rads go with his decision and whatever moves more air should be able to run more quietly.

[TheProfosist]

He's not asking for rads but for fans

I understand but you usually need fans on a rad...

[Jewfishy]

Thanks guys, looks like I'll go with the 360mm, sorry for the silly question   

[Phllips]

3x120 louder, cooler, 2x 140 quieter, less cooler by a little

[KamiKatze]

If its for a rad, then 120 mm because the choice of static pressure optimized fans is much larger

[TheProfosist]

Thanks guys, looks like I'll go with the 360mm, sorry for the silly question

I wouldnt consider it silly personally.

[Ryan_Stein]

3x120 louder, cooler, 2x 140 quieter, less cooler by a little

not really with a 360 you can run 5v fans and get the same temps as a 2x140. and it'll be MUCH quiter

[loccilucas]

I would go with dual 140mm, it's quieter and moves more air.

It moves less air.

[Stand00]

Basically 2 x 140mm fans at say 60CFM (800RPM) would be a quieter then 3 fans at the same CFM and RPM, however the 3 fans would more more air. More CFM = higher RPM = more noise but increased airflow, taking out the resistance of the case intake holes and dust filter.

So which do your require more air flow or less noise?

 

Something like the below would be good, with either on board fan controller or a manual one.

Akaska High Performance Viper 140mm Yellow Fan 

 

Size: 140mm x 25mm, Voltage Rating: 12V. Performance; Max Airflow 110.61 CFM, Sound 12.5 to 26.01 dB & Speed 600 to 1600 RPM

 

 

 

 

do the math 2x140=280 3x120=360 3x120 will cool better, but just a warning even with the sound dampening loud fans will still be audible, but all in all I'd just go with a 360 rad and some good fans

 

 

Would of thought the math was more like AF = CFM ~ -rv (dB := RPM) x ≅ (120mm 140mm)

 

rv ref 

Fan grille /
mesh style

Picture

Exhaust Air Ratio

Speed
(testing with FN121)

Speed Ratio
(based on free open air)

No grille/mesh

100%

3.1 m/s

100%

Wire grille

71%

2.6 m/s

84%

Hexagonal Venting holes

72%

2.4 m/s

77%

Square venting holes

60%

2.2 m/s

71%

Round venting holes

29%

1.1 m/s

35%

 

 

Area:

 

360: 120x120x3=43200mm squared

 

280: 140x140x2=39200mm squared

 

So the 360 since it has more area and you can more easily get fans for it.

[WoodenMarker]

Yeah, but rads go with his decision and whatever moves more air should be able to run more quietly.

It's not the same for both water and air cooling. 

For rads, a 360mm would be better than a 280mm due to static pressure being relative to the thickness of the fan which doesn't scale from 120mm to 140mm. For air, 2x140mm's performs about as good as 3x120mm's while being quieter. 

[TheProfosist]

Basically 2 x 140mm fans at say 60CFM (800RPM) would be a quieter then 3 fans at the same CFM and RPM, however the 3 fans would more more air. More CFM = higher RPM = more noise but increased airflow, taking out the resistance of the case intake holes and dust filter.

So which do your require more air flow or less noise?

 

Something like the below would be good, with either on board fan controller or a manual one.

Akaska High Performance Viper 140mm Yellow Fan 

 

Size: 140mm x 25mm, Voltage Rating: 12V. Performance; Max Airflow 110.61 CFM, Sound 12.5 to 26.01 dB & Speed 600 to 1600 RPM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Would of thought the math was more like AF = CFM ~ -rv (dB := RPM) x ≅ (120mm 140mm)

 

rv ref 

Fan grille /

mesh style

Picture

Exhaust Air Ratio

Speed

(testing with FN121)

Speed Ratio

(based on free open air)

No grille/mesh

100%

3.1 m/s

100%

Wire grille

71%

2.6 m/s

84%

Hexagonal Venting holes

72%

2.4 m/s

77%

Square venting holes

60%

2.2 m/s

71%

Round venting holes

29%

1.1 m/s

35%

That grill thing is quite interesting.