are there any quiet or semi-quiet 120MM fans

[Techno]

I have a Cooler Master Stacker 830 case coming tomorrow along with the ASUS A8N32-Deluxe. The PC i'm rebuilding will be in my recording studio's control room. The case can take 7 120 mm fans in it and I'd like to add all 7 but I'd like them to be as quiet as possible wile still giving good amount of air flow. What would you recommend?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

I don't have a Stacker.

1-You do NOT need 7-120 fans.
2-Do not use any clear plastic or LED fans.
3-Search this forum for 120 fans, there are many recent threads.
4-Do some research over at SPCR.
5-Consider the high-end Scythe fans @ $15 each or Akasa Amber fans(quiet clear plastic).
6-Consider using a $10 Sunbeam Rheobus.


...Galvanized

 

[firewolfsm]

Why not clear plastic?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: firewolfsm
Why not clear plastic?

Look at specs or read at SPCR. Most clear plastic fans offer more dBA for the same cfm as black plastic fans. I think clear plastic tends to ring more.

Look at two identical fans, one clear & one black, from the same provider. You'll see.


...Galvanized

 

[Operandi]

Clear plastic fans are also more of a gimmick than anything.

People that take cooling seriously use high quality fans (Sanyo Denki, Delta, Panaflo), none of which use clear plastic.

Having said that some are definitely better then others. The Akasa Amber Series for example is supposed to be great and is supposedly made by Adda who are known to make good fans.

 

[Munky]

I'm using 2x120mm Scythe S-FLEX fans - the $15 ones. I got the 1200rpm model, and they're fairly quiet and push decent airflow, although I would think any half-decent fan at 1200rpm should be just as quiet.

Read this review, I found it helpful.
http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=421

 

[TheRyuu]

Yate Loons.

 

[One43637]

you definitely do not need 7 fans if what you're aiming for a somewhat quiet PC. you can get away with 3-4 decent 120MM fans. others have already mentioned quality fans that they recommend.

i would just like to add that i'm not to happy with the Chinese made Panaflows. i think GY called them "Chinaflows" lol

 

[RallyMaster]

Just get 3/4 and you'll be happy enough. Make sure your CPU gets enough air. Make sure the GPU's hot air is exhausted and make sure the CPU's hot air is exhausted. Might also make sure that the hard drives are getting enough air as well.

 

[996GT2]

ACF12025 for intake
AC Fan 12 for exhaust

 

[VballCoach]

Originally posted by: wizboy11
Yate Loons.

I'll 2nd that.

and the blue LED one's are super quiet.
check this link

http://tekgems.com/reviews/yate-loon-120-12-25mm-roundup.htm

I had 2 120mm Global Win NCB fans also. a great pick there too. I'd have kept them if I didn't want LEDs....btw I like my window'd pc..

 

[XJustMeX21]

coolermaster blue led 1200rpm fans are both clear and led and are quiet.

 

[imported_ST]

Originally posted by: XJustMeX21
coolermaster blue led 1200rpm fans are both clear and led and are quiet.

qft

 

[the cobbler]

Silverstone FM121, $15.99@Newegg

 

[RallyMaster]

Cooler Master Silent LED fans are quiet but still have a bit of motor whine. I need to softmount my fans for better results.

 

[Henny]

Madshrimps did a review of 120mm fans recently. The Globalwin with ceramic bearing technology was right up there on the top. You can buy them at www.svc.com for about $6.00.

Any fan can be noisy at high rpm and any fan can be quiter at low speed. The differences between manufacturers isn't that much for a given wattage and diameter.

 

[VballCoach]

Originally posted by: Henny
Madshrimps did a review of 120mm fans recently. The Globalwin with ceramic bearing technology was right up there on the top. You can buy them at www.svc.com for about $6.00.

Any fan can be noisy at high rpm and any fan can be quiter at low speed. The differences between manufacturers isn't that much for a given wattage and diameter.

I read that review and I got those Global Wins. If I didn't want to go LED, I'd a kept them. They are excellent and are very quiet. If they ever make an LED 120 NCB, I may go with them...but for now it's yate loon for me.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Delta EFB series 120x25mm low speed fans FTW! Just get 4 of them and youll have more then enough. Run a rheobus if you need to.

 

[shredman]

I second the nexus real silents if you want to use your fans at stock speeds. But they are about $15. I've never heard of the Globalwins but I trust Madshrimps and they are about $6 each which is good. My experience is with the yate Loons at jab-tech ~$6. From what I've read, they are higher RPM versions of the Nexus....all I hear from them is the swoosh of the air they are blowing...whatever fans you get, if they are too loud, you can do a couple of things....

1) get a Rheobus type fan controller ~$11
2)get a PWM type fan controller~$20
3) get a small Fanmate controller~$4
4) get a 12v to 7v connector$1.99
5) get a 12v to 5v connector $2.99

So you have lots of options. My recommendation would be to try the Yate Loons or Global Wins at stock volts and see how you like them. If they are very loud, get a fan controller and if they are just a little loud, get the 12v to 7v connectors for a cheap solution.

p.s. you don't need so many fans...maybe just 1 or 2 blowing in from the front and then 1 exhaust if you have a 120mm fan on your PSU or maybe 2 total exhaust if not. Start with that before you buy all those fans.

 

[aidanjm]

Nexus "Real Silent" 120 mm fans are very popular with the denizens of www.silentpcreview.com at the moment.

You can use a zalman fan-mate to slow the fan right down (deliver it 5-7 volts, instead of 12 volts)

120 mm fans are nic because you can have them spinning very slowly, and they still move a reasonable amount of air.

 

[JEDIYoda]

CollerMaster also makes some very quiet CLEAR PLASTIC fans!!

 

[Ping to the Pong]

as galvanized said, i would also not recommend clear plastic fans, but i have tried the LED yate loons and they actually really nice. It appears they accounted for the increased noise with the different housing material, so they made the fan run a lil quieter. Its quieter than my reg black yate loon. Also, i agree with the others, you do not need 7 120mm fans. My choices:

1. Scythe S-Flex fans - expensive, but well worth it
2. Yate Loon D12sl-12 LED - looks pretty nice, cheap, very quiet
3. Yate Loon d12sl-12 black - more airflow than the led version, quiet.
4. Nexus silent fan - quietest ive heard, but expensive and doesnt move much air.

 

[Makubex GB]

Definitely Yate Loons

 

[BW86]

Akasa Amber fans

 

[Billb2]

All you ever wanted to know about the most popular fans.
http://www.matbe.com/articles/lire/146/...ventilateurs-120-millimetres/page1.php
Google translate or babblefish....but you can read the graphs