Deshrouding+using custom case fans for GPU cooling, need a fan suggestion

[Ency]

Hi.

 

I already deshrouded part of my GPU due to a rattling issue under full load and it's been miles better, but the fans are still not as silent as I want it to be. So I've decided to get rid of the shroud+stack fans completely and do a fan hack, currently waiting on mini 4 pin to 2x PWM adapter so I can place fans under GPU control.

 

That leads me to the main question - which fans? I've originally planned on getting 120MM Arctic Silent PWM Slim ones (15mm in height, can't be taller than that due to case size constraints) but I've read that fans produce most of their blow @ edges of the fans, so I guess I should probably get a 80mm fan instead.

 

So my question is - which fan model/brand follows the following criteria:

 

1) is 80 mm but has a slim height profile (15 mm opposed to usual 25mm)

2) has PWM

3) is a static pressure fan

4) is as silent as possible

5) color of the fan is black

 

 

If you guys could suggest such a fan, I'd be really grateful Cheers!

[Biohazard777]

Edit: disregard the brain fart bellow, applies to 120mm which is not what the OP wants.

2 hours ago, Ency said:

1) is 80 mm but has a slim height profile (15 mm opposed to usual 25mm)

2) has PWM

3) is a static pressure fan

4) is as silent as possible

5) color of the fan is black

https://noctua.at/en/nf-a12x15-pwm
Comes with a PWM Y splitter, anti-vibration pads and mounts, also comes with a physical adapter for more silent operation (reduces max rpm from 1850 to 1400) etc. But it ain't black.
 

[Ency]

42 minutes ago, Biohazard777 said:

https://noctua.at/en/nf-a12x15-pwm
Comes with a PWM Y splitter, anti-vibration pads and mounts, also comes with a physical adapter for more silent operation (reduces max rpm from 1850 to 1400) etc. But it ain't black.
 

It's not 80mm though, it's 120mm

Love the small text, made me laugh rofl

[Biohazard777]

57 minutes ago, Ency said:

It's not 80mm though, it's 120mm

Love the small text, made me laugh rofl

My apologies, I was in a rush tabbing between 120x15 and 80x25 and ended up with a salad that doesn't exist and a wrong link... Noctua doesn't make 80x15, only 80x25.

 

2 hours ago, Ency said:

I've originally planned on getting 120MM Arctic Silent PWM Slim ones (15mm in height, can't be taller than that due to case size constraints) but I've read that fans produce most of their blow @ edges of the fans, so I guess I should probably get a 80mm fan instead.

Hm, how about 92x14?
https://noctua.at/en/nf-a9x14-pwm-chromax-black-swap
Comes with anti-vibration pads, but doesn't have: PWM Y splitter, anti-vibration mounts and the low noise physical adapter as their other fans. But on the plus side for you, it is black heh.
Or if you don't mind the traditional Noctua colors and you want those accessories:
https://noctua.at/en/nf-a9x14-pwm

[Ency]

1 hour ago, Biohazard777 said:

My apologies, I was in a rush tabbing between 120x15 and 80x25 and ended up with a salad that doesn't exist and a wrong link... Noctua doesn't make 80x15, only 80x25.

 

Hm, how about 92x14?
https://noctua.at/en/nf-a9x14-pwm-chromax-black-swap
Comes with anti-vibration pads, but doesn't have: PWM Y splitter, anti-vibration mounts and the low noise physical adapter as their other fans. But on the plus side for you, it is black heh.
Or if you don't mind the traditional Noctua colors and you want those accessories:
https://noctua.at/en/nf-a9x14-pwm

Cheers, got the first one as they actually have perfect dimensions

 

Don't really care about PWM Y splitter because I bought this: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07T95C68T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

As for anti vibration mounts and low noise adapter.. are those purchasable separately in case I fucked up by not ordering the fans with those accessories?

 

Now to learn 3D modelling to 3D print a bracket for mounting those fans on the existing heatsink as I believe I'll drive myself crazy knowing that those fans are only secured by zipties...

[Biohazard777]

50 minutes ago, Ency said:

As for anti vibration mounts and low noise adapter.. are those purchasable separately in case I fucked up by not ordering the fans with those accessories?

Unfortunately they are bundled, black version doesn't get those instead you only get an extension cable and anti-vibration pads in different colors (and ofc regular metal screws):

And the traditional Noctua color bundle gets:

If you got the black version then instead of using the low noise adapter you can simply edit the fan curve to lower max rpm of the fan for more silent operation (this is what the adapter does, it is meant for user-friendliness or situations where you don't have manual control over fan speed).
As for the anti-vibration mounts ("rubber screws"), I rarely use them myself with Noctua fans, pads are quite enough IMHO. Thy are good to insulate cheap fans that tend to vibrate a lot, but these aren't cheap fans. Anyway if you decide you want them anyway they can be found cheap on eBay.

 

50 minutes ago, Ency said:

Now to learn 3D modelling to 3D print a bracket for mounting those fans on the existing heatsink as I believe I'll drive myself crazy knowing that those fans are only secured by zipties...

I suggest browsing the thingyverse site first, there is a chance someone out there already made 3D printed shroud for your model of GPU.
Far easier to modify someone else's work for your needs than to start from scratch, for example Zotac 1070 mini with dual 90mm fans:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4299288

 
 

[WoodenMarker]

Are you referring to the Gigabyte RTX 2070 Windforce 8GB? If so, you should be using larger fans if you want improvement. The flat heatsink looks like it should for 2x 120mm's. 

 

[Ency]

14 hours ago, WoodenMarker said:

Are you referring to the Gigabyte RTX 2070 Windforce 8GB? If so, you should be using larger fans if you want improvement. The flat heatsink looks like it should for 2x 120mm's. 

 

Yeah, referring to that one. Actually I measured the heatsink and it's about 84cm in width compared to 92 on the fans I've ordered, that should still be a substantial improvement, shouldn't it? Regardless, even if I had the same thermal profile as the stock cooler, at least it wouldn't be as loud as won't make a super annoying buzzing sound..

[WoodenMarker]

13 hours ago, Ency said:

Yeah, referring to that one. Actually I measured the heatsink and it's about 84cm in width compared to 92 on the fans I've ordered, that should still be a substantial improvement, shouldn't it? Regardless, even if I had the same thermal profile as the stock cooler, at least it wouldn't be as loud as won't make a super annoying buzzing sound..

Sure, the 92mm fans may be quieter. The 84mm width may be covered by the 92mm fans but there's leftover length. 120mm's are generally better as long as the heatsink is flat for it to be mounted up against.