Gentle Typhoon vs. Antec Tri-Cool (For Intake/Exhaust)

[masterkaj]

I have a Antec 900 and normally leave all the fans on "high" setting at 2000 rpm. It isn't too loud, but am looking to get it a bit quieter(while maintaining the same or better airflow/cfm). Many people rave about the Gentle Typhoons and I was thinking about getting them to replace the Antec Tri-Cool fans. However, looking at the manufacturer's specs, it would seem that the Tri-Cool would still displace more air.

Antec Tri-Cool High Setting:
-2000 RPM
-30 dBA
-79 CFM

Antec Tri-Cool Medium Setting:
-1600 RPM
-28 dBA
-56 CFM

Gentle Typhoon AP-15:
-1850 RPM
-28 dBA
-57 CFM

I know manufacturer's like to inflate their spec's, so in the real world how would these two fans stack up against each other? I know the GT is a good radiator fan due to high static pressure, this is a case fan (intake/exhaust) only question.

 

[MisterDonut]

Nothing matches a GT in terms of air/noise ratio, but there's no need to replace them. At most, replace the exhaust if you have a tower heatsink. Personally, I wouldn't drop the money for the exhaust (I use a ZM-F3, and it works fine), as I'm not too bothered by the noise (I have a fan controller, too). Leave the intakes alone, and swap out the exhaust if you want.

Oh, and, as far as the Tri-cools go, they're mediocre. Just...plain mediocre. Nothing good/bad about 'em.

 

[Kostamojen]

I replaced all the Antec fans on my 902 with Gentle Typhoons and its significantly quieter.

I use the motherboard to control the fan speeds.

 

[Ika]

I have a single tricool and it's loud as balls when I put it on high. How can you have multiples and not be bothered by the sound? I use mine on Low for a CPU (Big Typhoon) and it keeps my temps great.

I know, not a very useful post.

 

[masterkaj]

I replaced all the Antec fans on my 902 with Gentle Typhoons and its significantly quieter.

I use the motherboard to control the fan speeds.

Just wish I could get a side by side CFM reading of an Antec Tri-Cool on High and a GT 1850, just to compare real world numbers.

If you compare the GT and Antec Tri-Cool(on High) side by side, which seems to push more air?

I have a single tricool and it's loud as balls when I put it on high. How can you have multiples and not be bothered by the sound? I use mine on Low for a CPU (Big Typhoon) and it keeps my temps great.

I know, not a very useful post.

I game with headphones on, so I can't really hear them. Just be nice to get quieter fans that performed just as well(if not better).

 

[fluffmonster]

is it possible to wire in a new fan to use the 902s stock controller knobs like a fan controller, or do they only control something in the tricool fans themselves? Anybody ever tried?

 

[Kostamojen]

Just wish I could get a side by side CFM reading of an Antec Tri-Cool on High and a GT 1850, just to compare real world numbers.

If you compare the GT and Antec Tri-Cool(on High) side by side, which seems to push more air?

The Tri-cool will push more air, but I did not notice an increase in temps switching to the Typhoons.

is it possible to wire in a new fan to use the 902s stock controller knobs like a fan controller, or do they only control something in the tricool fans themselves? Anybody ever tried?

Those knobs are built into the fans, so its not really possible unless you want to do major fan surgery.

Its better to use software based fan controllers anyway, since they keep it quiet until you actually start doing some heavy-duty work. The knobs are neat as a gimmick, but ultimately useless in daily use.

 

[MisterDonut]

Just a thought...if you wanted quiet, you shouldn't have gotten the Antec 900. The intake fans on low do fine. You'd just be wasting $40 for the two fans in the front. The GT might not push the most air but it has the best ratio.

 

[Kostamojen]

Yes, there are cases that are better for quietness...

But for price, build quality, and cooling, 900's are very good. And it doesn't take much effort to make it more quiet than your average desktop.

Side note: After replacing the main fans, I discovered my GTX 275 was then making too much noise, which was fixed with some custom temp controls via Rivatuner. I also replaced my power supply fan after that, having discovered it was louder than the Typhoons.

 

[masterkaj]

is it possible to wire in a new fan to use the 902s stock controller knobs like a fan controller, or do they only control something in the tricool fans themselves? Anybody ever tried?

I'm not sure about the 902 because I have the standard 900. How about the 1200 though? Doesn't it have a built in controller for all the fans?

 

[fluffmonster]

Those knobs are built into the fans, so its not really possible unless you want to do major fan surgery.

Its better to use software based fan controllers anyway, since they keep it quiet until you actually start doing some heavy-duty work. The knobs are neat as a gimmick, but ultimately useless in daily use.

Well, I'm not above a little surgery. If splicing wires is all it takes, that's not a big deal. If its something in the Tri-Cool units themselves, that's something else. Its not terribly pressing though...I leave my fans on the lowest setting and they're very quiet and there seems to be almost no temp improvement to speeding them up at all.

Regardless, what would be a good software fan controller?

 

[Baasha]

Not to digress, but aren't Triebwerk fans supposed to be the best? Their MidSpeed version in a push-pull combination is the pinnacle of airflow configurations on any case.

 

[Kostamojen]

Regardless, what would be a good software fan controller?

Depends on your motherboard. I'm actually using my mobo fan software to operate the fans, but Speedfan works well too.

 

[aigomorla]

Not to digress, but aren't Triebwerk fans supposed to be the best? Their MidSpeed version in a push-pull combination is the pinnacle of airflow configurations on any case.

...

the best in what?
Pinnacle in What?

The pinnacle in price you mean.. they cost over 30 dollars each, and its performance is not spectacular.

And with a push pull config on per say a 120x3, thats 6 fans @ 30 dollars = 180 dollars... omg... ur better off getting other stuff which would net u better cooling and run cheaper yet quieter fans.

Well, I'm not above a little surgery. If splicing wires is all it takes, that's not a big deal. If its something in the Tri-Cool units themselves, that's something else. Its not terribly pressing though...I leave my fans on the lowest setting and they're very quiet and there seems to be almost no temp improvement to speeding them up at all.

Regardless, what would be a good software fan controller?

You really dont want to run more then per say 2 low amperage fans.
When i say low amperage i mean like less then .25amps per fan, or not more then .5amps off that header, unless u have a premium tier board.

Your gonna kill that fan header quick if u run too many amps off it, which is why a better solution would probably be a hardware fan controller.

 

[ClockHound]

The GT have much closer to real world specs. The Antec specs were measured in the marketing department's fantasy lab like most do.

Here's a proper measurement: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article695-page3.html#tricool
79cfm at 30dBA claimed = 53cfm measured at 36dBA.

 

[richierich1212]

GTs are much better than Tri-cools, while also being significantly more quieter.

 

[Rubycon]

GTs are much better than Tri-cools, while also being significantly more quieter.

Let us not forget the GT is constructed much better. It will still be performing flawlessly long after the Tricool has given up completely or is growling and wobbling, etc. Those (tricools) are junk!

 

[fluffmonster]

...

You really dont want to run more then per say 2 low amperage fans.
When i say low amperage i mean like less then .25amps per fan, or not more then .5amps off that header, unless u have a premium tier board.

Your gonna kill that fan header quick if u run too many amps off it, which is why a better solution would probably be a hardware fan controller.

That's not really how its set up in the 902. The fans run off of a 4-pin molex connector, not a mobo header.

I haven't really taken it apart, but there's a controller somewhere in the circuit. The front fans, for example, have a little knob sticking out the front grill. My question was whether the controller circuitry is with that knob, or if its actually in the fan. If its with the knob, then should be able to replace the fan and splice some wires and keep the fan controller capability. This wouldn't work of course if some of the relevant circuitry is in the fan itself.

 

[Kostamojen]

Alright, I pulled out the old tricool fan with the knob.

There is a tiny circuit in the knob, probably just for dealing with the detection of knob position, but most of the hardware appears to be enclosed with the fan motor.

The knob is separate with three wires leading to the main circuit board.

IMO, just replace them. Not worth the hassle.

 

[QuantumPion]

Has anyone had trouble undervolting gentle typhoons? I have 5 1150 rpm version connected to a Lamptron Fan-atic 5-port fan controller. When I set the fans to 7V mode, they seem to make even more noise than at 12V. The noise sounds like bearing noise, not air flow. I'm wondering if the problem is the fan controller that sucks, or is it the fans don't like being undervolted?

 

[ClockHound]

The GT noise characteristics are peculiar when under-volting. They can get nasty sounding at certain rpms and be smooth at others. The best choice is a variable fan controller as it makes it easier to find the quieter spots between all the noisy ones. The fixed switches on the Fan-atic isn't going to help.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Has anyone had trouble undervolting gentle typhoons? I have 5 1150 rpm version connected to a Lamptron Fan-atic 5-port fan controller. When I set the fans to 7V mode, they seem to make even more noise than at 12V. The noise sounds like bearing noise, not air flow. I'm wondering if the problem is the fan controller that sucks, or is it the fans don't like being undervolted?

My GT is very finicky, and hates being undervolted. I get the same bearing noise at low rpms. I just bought some of the pwm slip streams and I think I've become a permanent scythe customer. Every fan I've purchased from scythe is top notch.