Case Fans

[wyatt1121]

I am looking at maybe getting new case fans when I upgrade my system sometime this year, I want a fan that performs similar to Noctua's because of there great performance and low noise. Only bad part is the cost. They are more expensive than I would like to spend on one fan. I looked at some bequiet! fans and I've heard Scythe fans are pretty good. I want something relatively quiet that can move a good bit of air. Any suggestions are appreciated!

[WoodenMarker]

Where are you using the fans?

Where are you shopping/located? Budget?

[loccilucas]

Get some silverstone Ap122's

[wyatt1121]

Where are you using the fans?

Where are you shopping/located? Budget?

They would be just fans for moving air into/out of the case. Located in Eastern US and shopping around websites like Newegg and NCIX. Budget is around $10 per fan. 

[WoodenMarker]

They would be just fans for moving air into/out of the case. Located in Eastern US and shopping around websites like Newegg and NCIX. Budget is around $10 per fan. 

What case? What are your system specs?

[wyatt1121]

Case is a Bitfenix Shinobi with a AMD FX 4100 w/ stock cooler and a Radeon 7850. But I am looking at upgrading later this year to maybe an Intel i5 4690k and a GTX 970 (depending on the performance of the 960 and AMD 370x, 380x, and 390x).

[WoodenMarker]

Case is a Bitfenix Shinobi with a AMD FX 4100 w/ stock cooler and a Radeon 7850. But I am looking at upgrading later this year to maybe an Intel i5 4690k and a GTX 970 (depending on the performance of the 960 and AMD 370x, 380x, and 390x).

Remove the stock case fans. 

Pure Wings 2: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/be-quiet-case-fan-bl046

One for front intake and another for rear exhaust.

 

You need to quote a post or tag a member or else they won't get a notification you replied to them.

[wyatt1121]

 

Remove the stock case fans. 

Pure Wings 2: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/be-quiet-case-fan-bl046

One for front intake and another for rear exhaust.

 

You need to quote a post or tag a member or else they won't get a notification you replied to them.

 

I realized after that I forgot to quote the post. Do you have any experience with these fans. I've heard that they don't move as much air as they say they do just from the reviews I've read. 

[WoodenMarker]

I realized after that I forgot to quote the post. Do you have any experience with these fans. I've heard that they don't move as much air as they say they do just from the reviews I've read. 

Where'd you get the idea that reviews were misleading on airflow? 

Btw, putting your hands in front of a fan to feel the air is not a reliable way of measuring airflow.

[wyatt1121]

Where'd you get the idea that reviews were misleading on airflow? 

Btw, putting your hands in front of a fan to feel the air is not a reliable way of measuring airflow.

I forget where I read the review but someone said that you have to have them running almost full speed to get good airflow. Also Is there a big benefit to getting 140mm fans as opposed 120mm fans. I think my case has room for some 140s and I was wondering if it is worth using them when possible. 

[WoodenMarker]

I forget where I read the review but someone said that you have to have them running almost full speed to get good airflow. Also Is there a big benefit to getting 140mm fans as opposed 120mm fans. I think my case has room for some 140s and I was wondering if it is worth using them when possible. 

140mm fans are bigger and move more air.

Pure Wings 2 are good with good performance/noise. Comparing it to better performing, louder fans and ignoring the noise level difference isn't exactly fair.

Having front intake and rear exhaust would be one of the better configurations and those fan spots only support 120mm fans. Having the intake be at the bottom would provide better temps but it isn't as well filtered. 

On second thought, having the intake be at the bottom would be better. 

[wyatt1121]

140mm fans are bigger and move more air.

Pure Wings 2 are good with good performance/noise. Comparing it to better performing, louder fans and ignoring the noise level difference isn't exactly fair.

Having front intake and rear exhaust would be one of the better configurations and those fan spots only support 120mm fans. Having the intake be at the bottom would provide better temps but it isn't as well filtered. 

On second thought, having the intake be at the bottom would be better. 

Do you mean the bottom as in the "floor" of the case? I don't see how that would be as effective as the front since the bottom isn't very far off of the surface where the computer sits. I also looked at Bitfenix Spectre/Spectre Pro fans. Do you know anything about them as far as experience with them. 

[WoodenMarker]

Do you mean the bottom as in the "floor" of the case? I don't see how that would be as effective as the front since the bottom isn't very far off of the surface where the computer sits. I also looked at Bitfenix Spectre/Spectre Pro fans. Do you know anything about them as far as experience with them. 

Yes, that's what I meant. In the case that there isn't much breathing room, just put it in the front. 

Spectres are okay. Spectre Pros are worse.

[wyatt1121]

Yes, that's what I meant. In the case that there isn't much breathing room, just put it in the front. 

Spectres are okay. Spectre Pros are worse.

What about the Spectre Pros is worse

[WoodenMarker]

What about the Spectre Pros is worse

The marks on the fan and clear plastic on Spectre Pros are for looks and are detrimental to performance. They have worse performance/noise than normal Spectres.

[wyatt1121]

The marks on the fan and clear plastic on Spectre Pros are for looks and are detrimental to performance. They have worse performance/noise than normal Spectres.

Ok. After comparing price to performance I'll probably go with the pure wings 2s. My only concern with them is that they use rifle bearings and I've heard to avoid them. Any thoughts on them?

[WoodenMarker]

Ok. After comparing price to performance I'll probably go with the pure wings 2s. My only concern with them is that they use rifle bearings and I've heard to avoid them. Any thoughts on them?

They're not the best but it doesn't really get better than the Pure Wings 2's in the quiet fan category.

Rosewill Hyperboreas are better performing and louder alternatives.

[wyatt1121]

They're not the best but it doesn't really get better than the Pure Wings 2's in the quiet fan category.

Rosewill Hyperboreas are better performing and louder alternatives.

According to newegg the Rosewill's move a little more air and are quieter. Honestly picking out fans is the most confusing and difficult part of a PC.

[WoodenMarker]

According to newegg the Rosewill's move a little more air and are quieter. Honestly picking out fans is the most confusing and difficult part of a PC.

Hyperboreas aren't quieter but they move more air.

[wyatt1121]

Hyperboreas aren't quieter but they move more air.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA68V21E0613

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200068

Unless I'm looking at the wrong fan it says they are almost the same. 

[WoodenMarker]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA68V21E0613

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200068

Unless I'm looking at the wrong fan it says they are almost the same. 

How are they almost the same?

[dfsdfgfkjsefoiqzemnd]

Do keep in mind that reviews and comparisons may not be accurate. Even a car driving by outside can seriously affect a noise reading, even if the reviewer thinks it was so distant that it didn't made a difference.

Neither of the options will disappoint, and you honestly won't be able to tell the difference between 20 and 21 dB fans. So IMO the price, looks, availability and warranty are more important than the numbers that some reviewer acquired by testing it in a room that wasn't soundproof.

[wyatt1121]

How are they almost the same?

Pure Wings 2 CFM=50-55

Rosewill CFM=57

Pure Wings 2 dba=15-20

Rosewill dba=7-16

That's pretty close. 

[WoodenMarker]

Pure Wings 2 CFM=50-55

Rosewill CFM=57

Pure Wings 2 dba=15-20

Rosewill dba=7-16

That's pretty close. 

They have different noise signatures. The Pure Wings 2 is more pleasant sounding than the Hyperborea. 

Specs aren't that reliable when it comes to fans--stick to benchmarks instead. 

Hyperboreas have better pressure but similar airflow compared to Pure Wings 2's.