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Best SILENT fans for PC cooling?

Ozymondias
Go to solution Solved by WoodenMarker,

Your system includes an hdd. If that isn't too noisy for you and you aren't replacing it and only using ssds, you might not notice the difference with some cheaper fans.

1x NF-S12A rear exhaust and 2x Kaze Flex 140mm front intake works well:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/cgqBD3/scythe-kf1425fd12s-p-672-cfm-140-mm-fan-kf1425fd12s-p

 

If cost isn't an issue and you're racing towards as quiet of a system as possible or best cooling at a fixed noise level, NF-A12x25's or T30's would be the best. 3x front intake and 1x rear exhaust: 

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zxx2FT/noctua-nf-a12x25-pwm-601-cfm-120mm-fan-nf-a12x25-pwm

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B2LNFV4

T30's would perform better but not be as quiet at very low rpm. 

 

1x T30 rear exhaust and 2x Silent Wings 4 140mm front intake is also an excellent option: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/fXcG3C/be-quiet-silent-wings-4-784-cfm-140-mm-fan-bl097

I am looking for some cooling, because just taking off the tempered glass panel reduced my temps by 8 degrees. But I also *hate* noise. So I am looking for the quietest/most effective fans possible. I am figuring 2-3 front 120mm fans, 1 120mm fan at the back, and one or two 240mm fans on top

Here is my current build. She has become a bit of a frankenstein over the years, but she still kicks butt
 

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/btCfxs

Chris Titus' Windows 10/11 tweak tool is the best thing since the GUI was invented https://christitus.com/windows-tool/

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18 minutes ago, Ozymondias said:

I am looking for some cooling, because just taking off the tempered glass panel reduced my temps by 8 degrees. But I also *hate* noise. So I am looking for the quietest/most effective fans possible. I am figuring 2-3 front 120mm fans, 1 120mm fan at the back, and one or two 240mm fans on top

Here is my current build. She has become a bit of a frankenstein over the years, but she still kicks butt
 

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/btCfxs

For Silence, 2x 140 mm in front would be best. Silent is very objective but with PWM fans you can adjust those to your liking. I usually run Noctua and sometimes be-Quiet fans. The Noctua A14 fans at ~ 50 % speed are basically silent while still providing decent airflow. If the temps dropped rapidly after opening the case, you may not have enough exhaust or some restriction there. Adding / replacing the top fans would probably help in that regard. 

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12 minutes ago, Applefreak said:

For Silence, 2x 140 mm in front would be best. Silent is very objective but with PWM fans you can adjust those to your liking. I usually run Noctua and sometimes be-Quiet fans. The Noctua A14 fans at ~ 50 % speed are basically silent while still providing decent airflow. If the temps dropped rapidly after opening the case, you may not have enough exhaust or some restriction there. Adding / replacing the top fans would probably help in that regard. 

What do you think of these Noctua Fans compared to the A14s?
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/BgvRsY/

Chris Titus' Windows 10/11 tweak tool is the best thing since the GUI was invented https://christitus.com/windows-tool/

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1 minute ago, Applefreak said:

I use that same model as my rear exhaust fan. Super quiet at 50 - 60 % speed, noticeable at higher speed but not annoying by any means.

How do you find it compares with the A14s? If you wanted a quiet build, what's the best noctua fan you could think up?

Chris Titus' Windows 10/11 tweak tool is the best thing since the GUI was invented https://christitus.com/windows-tool/

Make sure to mark when a response is a solution. It helps others!

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2 minutes ago, Ozymondias said:

How do you find it compares with the A14s? If you wanted a quiet build, what's the best noctua fan you could think up?

I'd use the 140 mm A14 fans if you are focused on silence. For max. performance, 120 mm fans would be better but they have to spin higher to move the same amount of air, so more noise. I'd use 2 NF-A14 in front and 2x on top, then adjust the fan curve to your liking.

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Your system includes an hdd. If that isn't too noisy for you and you aren't replacing it and only using ssds, you might not notice the difference with some cheaper fans.

1x NF-S12A rear exhaust and 2x Kaze Flex 140mm front intake works well:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/cgqBD3/scythe-kf1425fd12s-p-672-cfm-140-mm-fan-kf1425fd12s-p

 

If cost isn't an issue and you're racing towards as quiet of a system as possible or best cooling at a fixed noise level, NF-A12x25's or T30's would be the best. 3x front intake and 1x rear exhaust: 

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zxx2FT/noctua-nf-a12x25-pwm-601-cfm-120mm-fan-nf-a12x25-pwm

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B2LNFV4

T30's would perform better but not be as quiet at very low rpm. 

 

1x T30 rear exhaust and 2x Silent Wings 4 140mm front intake is also an excellent option: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/fXcG3C/be-quiet-silent-wings-4-784-cfm-140-mm-fan-bl097

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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8 hours ago, WoodenMarker said:

Your system includes an hdd. If that isn't too noisy for you and you aren't replacing it and only using ssds, you might not notice the difference with some cheaper fans.

1x NF-S12A rear exhaust and 2x Kaze Flex 140mm front intake works well:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/cgqBD3/scythe-kf1425fd12s-p-672-cfm-140-mm-fan-kf1425fd12s-p

 

If cost isn't an issue and you're racing towards as quiet of a system as possible or best cooling at a fixed noise level, NF-A12x25's or T30's would be the best. 3x front intake and 1x rear exhaust: 

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zxx2FT/noctua-nf-a12x25-pwm-601-cfm-120mm-fan-nf-a12x25-pwm

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B2LNFV4

T30's would perform better but not be as quiet at very low rpm. 

 

1x T30 rear exhaust and 2x Silent Wings 4 140mm front intake is also an excellent option: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/fXcG3C/be-quiet-silent-wings-4-784-cfm-140-mm-fan-bl097

Thanks for the recommendations! I will be looking at them closely. I do have a question, if you don't mind. How does do these fans measure up to the fans you mentioned?
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/CKFXsY/noctua-nf-s12a-pwm-chromaxblackswap-633-cfm-120mm-fan-nf-s12a-pwm-chromaxblackswap
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/Ky6BD3/noctua-case-fan-nfs12aflx

Again, thanks for the recommendations.

Chris Titus' Windows 10/11 tweak tool is the best thing since the GUI was invented https://christitus.com/windows-tool/

Make sure to mark when a response is a solution. It helps others!

Keep your stuff updated. Submit to the penguin-lord
 

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20 minutes ago, Ozymondias said:

The FLX is just a 3pin non-pwm version whereas the chromax.black is black and uses pwm. 

The NF-S12A is about as quiet as the NF-A12x25 but doesn't perform as well.

3x NF-S12A front intake would be very quiet but not as economical as my earlier recommendations. 

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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36 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

The FLX is just a 3pin non-pwm version whereas the chromax.black is black and uses pwm. 

The NF-S12A is about as quiet as the NF-A12x25 but doesn't perform as well.

3x NF-S12A front intake would be very quiet but not as economical as my earlier recommendations. 

Thanks so much for the clarification! I will go get the fans you recommended then!

Chris Titus' Windows 10/11 tweak tool is the best thing since the GUI was invented https://christitus.com/windows-tool/

Make sure to mark when a response is a solution. It helps others!

Keep your stuff updated. Submit to the penguin-lord
 

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If you want truly silent fans(and you arent deaf), the Arctic F12/F14 PWM PST CO fans are good ones. My Arctic P fans whine a lot and the Noctua fans(F12, A14, A15) make this vrrr motor/fan blade noise.

Interim 15 T200 OKF("F" intel processors are specifically archituctured for gaming) maybe upgrad to 13'900 | Peeralight cpu fan | Stryx Z690-A Wife(which is branded by ASUS and it's ROG label) | Thermotake 16x 8x2GO SODINM 2400mjz cl22 (2 of them with the mood lighting) | 980 EVO 1TB m.2 ssd card + Kensington 2TB SATA nvme + WD BLACK PRO ULTRA MAX 4TB GAMING DESTROYER HHD | Echa etc 3060 duel fan dissipator 12 GBi and Azrock with the radian 550 XT Tiachi | NEXT H510 Vit Klar Svart | Seasonice 600watts voeding(rated for 100.000 hours, running since 2010, ballpark estimate 8 hours a day which should make it good for 34 years) | Nocturna case fans | 0LED Duel moniter

 

New build in progress: Ryen™ 8 7700x3D with a copper pipe fan | Z60e-A | Kingstron RENEGATE 16x2 Go hyenix | Phantek 2 the thar mesh in front | lead lex black label psu + AsiaHorse białe/białe | 1080 Pro 8TB 15800MB/S NvMe(for gaming this increase fps and charging time, cooled by a M.2 slot with coolblock and additional thermopad) and faster 4000GB HHD | MAI GeForce GTX 2070 Ti

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checkout silent wings 4 high-speed as well

Ryzen 5700x + EK Supremacy D-RGB | 2x8 GB DDR4 Klevv 3200 MT/s | MSI B550M Mortar | Palit 3070 GamingPro LHR + Bykski N-PT3070PRO-X | Corsair RM750 | Alphacool EPDM + QDC | Aquacomputer Quadro + HighFlow2 | EK D5 XTOP | Freezemod 360 30mm rad + Barrow Dabel-20b 360 20mm | Barrow & Freezemod fittings | Corsair 5000D Airflow
 
Audio: beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X + iFi ZEN Air DAC + Razer Seiren Mini
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8 hours ago, Ralf said:

If you want truly silent fans(and you arent deaf), the Arctic F12/F14 PWM PST CO fans are good ones. My Arctic P fans whine a lot and the Noctua fans(F12, A14, A15) make this vrrr motor/fan blade noise.

Arctic F12 / F14's don't perform very well and aren't as quiet as the NF-S12A's.

 

Were the Noctua fans mounted right up against a mesh / frame in pull? When they're too close, that can cause additional noise.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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On 11/19/2022 at 5:20 AM, Ozymondias said:

I am looking for some cooling, because just taking off the tempered glass panel reduced my temps by 8 degrees. But I also *hate* noise. So I am looking for the quietest/most effective fans possible. I am figuring 2-3 front 120mm fans, 1 120mm fan at the back, and one or two 240mm fans on top

Here is my current build. She has become a bit of a frankenstein over the years, but she still kicks butt
 

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/btCfxs

You want Phanteks T30's or Noctua A12x25's, as a few others have said.

 

Everything else is a decent amount worse

CPU-AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D GPU- RTX 4070 SUPER FE MOBO-ASUS ROG Strix B650E-E Gaming Wifi RAM-32gb G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo DDR5 6000cl30 STORAGE-2x1TB Seagate Firecuda 530 PCIE4 NVME PSU-Corsair RM1000x Shift COOLING-EK-AIO 360mm with 3x Lian Li P28 + 4 Lian Li TL120 (Intake) CASE-Phanteks NV5 MONITORS-ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ 1440p 170hz+Gigabyte G24F 1080p 180hz PERIPHERALS-Lamzu Maya+ 4k Dongle+LGG Saturn Pro Mousepad+Nk65 Watermelon (Tangerine Switches)+Autonomous ErgoChair+ AUDIO-RODE NTH-100+Schiit Magni Heresy+Motu M2 Interface

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On 11/21/2022 at 6:40 PM, WoodenMarker said:

Arctic F12 / F14's don't perform very well and aren't as quiet as the NF-S12A's.

 

Were the Noctua fans mounted right up against a mesh / frame in pull? When they're too close, that can cause additional noise.

They make the same noise outside of the case too.

The Arctic P12 that I got in 2020 does not whine at all, the two P14 I got in 2021 whines at certain rpm, the six P12 I got in 2021 whines no matter the rpm. The Noctua A15/A14 makes vrrr motor noise(noise stops as soon I cut the power), the F12 makes a sound like if there something stuck between the fanblades(sounds more like a IBM PC from 1980)

Interim 15 T200 OKF("F" intel processors are specifically archituctured for gaming) maybe upgrad to 13'900 | Peeralight cpu fan | Stryx Z690-A Wife(which is branded by ASUS and it's ROG label) | Thermotake 16x 8x2GO SODINM 2400mjz cl22 (2 of them with the mood lighting) | 980 EVO 1TB m.2 ssd card + Kensington 2TB SATA nvme + WD BLACK PRO ULTRA MAX 4TB GAMING DESTROYER HHD | Echa etc 3060 duel fan dissipator 12 GBi and Azrock with the radian 550 XT Tiachi | NEXT H510 Vit Klar Svart | Seasonice 600watts voeding(rated for 100.000 hours, running since 2010, ballpark estimate 8 hours a day which should make it good for 34 years) | Nocturna case fans | 0LED Duel moniter

 

New build in progress: Ryen™ 8 7700x3D with a copper pipe fan | Z60e-A | Kingstron RENEGATE 16x2 Go hyenix | Phantek 2 the thar mesh in front | lead lex black label psu + AsiaHorse białe/białe | 1080 Pro 8TB 15800MB/S NvMe(for gaming this increase fps and charging time, cooled by a M.2 slot with coolblock and additional thermopad) and faster 4000GB HHD | MAI GeForce GTX 2070 Ti

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