quiet case fan

  • Thread starter Thread starter Stu Wilson
  • Start date Start date
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Stu Wilson

I recently purchase a new Nexlink computer and like everything about it
except it is a bit loud. I thought I would start by replacing the front
case fan to see if that would help quiet things.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

specs state computer has:

ATX tower
TX-8 CMBB-fan
fan 8CM/80MM Rear cooling fan
P4 3.0 GHZ, S478, 512k, 800FSB 478-pin, retail package, fa, included
pn#BX80532PG300D
 
Stu said:
I recently purchase a new Nexlink computer and like everything about it
except it is a bit loud. I thought I would start by replacing the front
case fan to see if that would help quiet things.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

specs state computer has:

ATX tower
TX-8 CMBB-fan
fan 8CM/80MM Rear cooling fan
P4 3.0 GHZ, S478, 512k, 800FSB 478-pin, retail package, fa, included
pn#BX80532PG300D
Click to expand...

Check fan specs at newegg.com or a similar site.

A difference of 3 dB represents a doubling of noise.
 
swilson8 said:
I checked newegg. Would you say this one is apt to be quiet?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-186-109&depa=0
Click to expand...


That's what people say in the reviews...

All reviews -> Fans, Heatsinks (Case, CPU, Chipset) -> N82E16835186109

jared,5/24/2004 11:29:00 PM
definately a good buy. super silent but able to cool to system to a good
degree. granted, going with a panaflo or a vantec tornado is going to
get you much better airflow, this little guy does a good job while
staying nearly entirely silent. couple two or three of these with arctic
cooling's cpu fans, and your machine is cool and quiet. watch out,
though, as these fans are a bit thicker than most standard 80mm fans.
80x80x34.5 is this fan's dimensions, while most fans in this class are
80x80x25.
 
yak said:
That's what people say in the reviews...

All reviews -> Fans, Heatsinks (Case, CPU, Chipset) -> N82E16835186109

jared,5/24/2004 11:29:00 PM
definately a good buy. super silent but able to cool to system to a good
degree. granted, going with a panaflo or a vantec tornado is going to
get you much better airflow, this little guy does a good job while
staying nearly entirely silent. couple two or three of these with arctic
cooling's cpu fans, and your machine is cool and quiet. watch out,
though, as these fans are a bit thicker than most standard 80mm fans.
80x80x34.5 is this fan's dimensions, while most fans in this class are
80x80x25.
Click to expand...

I noticed the size difference as well, after I posted here. I also looked
at this Zalman

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-118-206&depa=0
 
The bigger the fam the quieter it is with more CFM. If you have a 120 or
92mm slot in the case (check the front) use it or consider an adapter 80 to
120 or 80 to 92
 
kony said:
Low-end generic fans may often have questionable airflow and
noise ratings. More dependable ratings might be found with major
name brand fans... Panaflo, Nidec, NMB, Sunon, Papst, et al.

Best choice for your needs is probably a Panaflo, model
FBA08A12L1A
Click to expand...

Thanks Kony. Why do you specifically mention the Panaflo model for me?
 
Thanks Kony. Why do you specifically mention the Panaflo model for me?
Click to expand...

Because like most manufacturers, their fans come in different
speeds and sizes. That model is 80mm x 25mm, 12V, and (L)ow
speed. Online searches may be easier using part number.

Panaflo fans in general have lower noise per any flow rate than
almost any competitor (except perhaps Papst that are more
expensive) but to minimize noise you may want (need) lower flow
rate... we can only assume your system will remain cool enough at
a flow rate low enough to be "quiet".

If fan is mounted such that flow is impeded by a stamped or
molded grill (rather than round chrome type) you may easily see
better results from removal of the grill and/or increasing front
intake area of case.
 
kony said:
Panaflo fans in general have lower noise per any flow rate than
almost any competitor (except perhaps Papst that are more
expensive) but to minimize noise you may want (need) lower flow
rate... we can only assume your system will remain cool enough at
a flow rate low enough to be "quiet".
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, fan airflow specifications given are at ZERO static
pressure, which is far from the typical home PC environment. Some
quiet fans that have decent airflow at zero static pressure drop
off considerably as static pressure is increased. Fan "A" may have
better airflow at zero static pressure, but fan "B" may be better
in the home PC environment (in which static pressure varies greatly
from PC to PC.)
If fan is mounted such that flow is impeded by a stamped or
molded grill (rather than round chrome type) you may easily see
better results from removal of the grill and/or increasing front
intake area of case.
Click to expand...

Thus decreasing static pressure and decreasing noise.
 
kony said:
Because like most manufacturers, their fans come in different
speeds and sizes. That model is 80mm x 25mm, 12V, and (L)ow
speed. Online searches may be easier using part number.

Panaflo fans in general have lower noise per any flow rate than
almost any competitor (except perhaps Papst that are more
expensive) but to minimize noise you may want (need) lower flow
rate... we can only assume your system will remain cool enough at
a flow rate low enough to be "quiet".

If fan is mounted such that flow is impeded by a stamped or
molded grill (rather than round chrome type) you may easily see
better results from removal of the grill and/or increasing front
intake area of case.
Click to expand...

The way this case is set up there is no grill in the front where the fan is,
there is a thin arc crevice. So there is very little intake area.
 
swilson8 said:
The way this case is set up there is no grill in the front where the fan is,
there is a thin arc crevice. So there is very little intake area.
Click to expand...


That's why power tools were invented.
 
The way this case is set up there is no grill in the front where the fan is,
there is a thin arc crevice. So there is very little intake area.
Click to expand...


I'm not entirely clear on what you meant but when writing "grill"
i mean more of a blade guard, not the front bezel intake area.
Typically the case's fan mount has the four holes for
screw-mounting the fan, then the middle area where the blades are
is covered by a large percentage with holes stamped out of the
metal sheet. That creates more noise and significantly decreases
airflow. If fan is sitting in a plastic snap-on holder, it may
help to completely remove that holder and attach fan direct to
metal wall, drilling holes if necessary and using rubber grommets
for vibration insulation if the case is prone to rattle (more
often and severe with thinner walled cases).

The "thin arc crevice" you mention may be another concern in
addtion to the fan mounting design itself. In general you will
have most noise reduction by increasing intake area at least
enough that you have sufficient flow rate with fan spinning at
low enough RPM that the fan itself is lower volume. Because
system faces forward it's generally quieter to put more powerful
fans in back than front, if you need a fan in front at all.
 
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