Does fan matching matter?

[lildog]

If I have to get 2 different 120 mm fans as intakes that will be right next to each other and sharing a Y-splitter, does it matter what their specs are? I just added the Sapphire R9 390 and it is a HUGE card, so in order to fit a case fan in front of it I need to get a slim case fan. I am currently looking at the GELID Slim 12 UV because it is quiet, moves a decent amount of air, doesn't have an LED, and it's 15.8 mm thick and I need a fan that is <17 mm thick. I am looking at possibly pairing it with a Noctua Fan of some sort because Linus always talks about them and now I want the silent quality power. I'm not sure which though because the S12 is closest to its static pressure rating, the P12 is closest to its CFM rating, and the F12 is closest to its RPM rating. I do want it to be as quiet as possible and I also can't see my intake fans so I don't care if they don't match colors at all. No LEDs though because they will shine through my vents. I have an Antec ISK 600M by the way.

[rhyseyness]

9 minutes ago, lildog said:

If I have to get 2 different 120 mm fans as intakes that will be right next to each other and sharing a Y-splitter, does it matter what their specs are? I just added the Sapphire R9 390 and it is a HUGE card, so in order to fit a case fan in front of it I need to get a slim case fan. I am currently looking at the GELID Slim 12 UV because it is quiet, moves a decent amount of air, doesn't have an LED, and it's 15.8 mm thick and I need a fan that is <17 mm thick. I am looking at possibly pairing it with a Noctua Fan of some sort because Linus always talks about them and now I want the silent quality power. I'm not sure which though because the S12 is closest to its static pressure rating, the P12 is closest to its CFM rating, and the F12 is closest to its RPM rating. I do want it to be as quiet as possible and I also can't see my intake fans so I don't care if they don't match colors at all. No LEDs though because they will shine through my vents. I have an Antec ISK 600M by the way.

It will be fine as long as they're both 12V

[Allshevski]

Why not to buy S12A? It will work but they will move different amounts of air at different speeds. But don't match them, the more, the better  And if one goes crazy, just give it LNA and it will be okay.

[LukaH]

as long as one isn't pulling air in and the other out fans are fans they blow

[ManWithBeard1990]

Not really. Obviously the same presssure will apply to both so as long as that's somewhat matched it's alright. It's not critical though because you'd never run your case at a pressure that by definition the fan creates when no air is allowed to flow.

If anything fans with a mismatched RPM or amount of blades will produce a noise pattern that's altogether more broadband than two identical ones, and might be less irritating to listen to.

I'd say don't worry about it.

[lildog]

Thanks for the input! I'll probably get the S12 because it's the quietest and moves the most air for intake.