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Recommended Fans
Submitted by Mike Chin on Sun, 2007-03-04 18:45.
Fans & Controls | Reference / Recommended
Viewing page 2 of 2 pages. Previous 1 2
THE QUIET FAN LIST
 SPCR's
recommended fan list is divided into three main sections, one for each common
fan size: 80mm, 92mm, and 120mm. Fans in these tables have been tested by SPCR
and found to be of the highest standard. Some fans that could previously be
found in this list have been removed, as previous recommendations were not based
on test data but personal impressions and user recommendations.
However, one particular fan deserves special mention, despite the fact that
it is not quite good enough to earn a place on today's recommended list. Ladies
and Gentlemen, I give you the Panaflo FBA08A12L and FBA08A12M.
These Panaflo models were the first models to gain widespread recognition
as quiet fans among SPCR's user base, back in the days when the only fans
available on the retail market were screaming behemoths designed for maximum
airflow, no matter the noise. Panaflo fans were never targeted at the PC market,
but they were widely available on the internet thanks to a large amount of
surplus stock that flooded the market.
They earned their reputation by being inexpensive and low speed, with a relatively
smooth noise character. They were probably subject to more scrutiny and experimentation
than any product examined on SPCR before or since. The best fans were identified
by reseller, country of origin, even the batch number that they came from.
Eventually, the Panaflo lost its luster due to problems with quality control
and the discovery of smoother, quieter fans that started to become available
on the retail market. Nevertheless, it is worthy of remembrance for being
the first SPCR reference fan. In the days before SPCR made audio recordings
for its reviews, noise was described in terms of the Panaflo, and it was almost
necessary to have one to get the most out of SPCR's early reviews.
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Recommended 120mm Fans
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Fan Model
(linked to review)
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Manufacturer
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Bearing Type
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Starting Voltage
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Rated Speed
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SPL @ Full Speed
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Noctua?
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SSO
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2.9V
3.0V
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1,200 RPM
800 RPM
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25 dBA@1m
~20 dBA@1m
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| A very unusual fan from
an Austrian company posing as a research institute. Unusual blade design
produces more airflow than usual, but possibly at the cost of reduced pressure.
Reports from real users have suggested that, despite measuring higher, actual
cooling power is slightly less than it should be. Noise character was very
broadband and became inaudible at a relatively high voltage. However, it
lacks the buttery smoothness of some other fans. An effective choice for
a case fan, but the questions raised about its pressure make us hesitate
to recommend it for use on a heatsink. Added Mar/07 |
| Nexus
Real Silent Case Fan D12SL-12 |
Yate Loon / Hong Sheng?
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Sleeve
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5.5V
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1,000 RPM
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22 dBA@1m
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| A longtime favorite. Was
and remains SPCR's de facto reference 120mm fan, though it provides slightly
less airflow-for-noise than the Noctua. Its noise character is smooth and
low frequency, generating a low hum when it is audible. Its bright orange
color has put off some people, and it is now available in an elegant black-and-white
edition. Closed corner flanges can sometimes cause problems with mounting
clips, but this is easily fixed with a dremel or hacksaw. Sample variance
is a bit of a question mark, and at least two revision of this fan have
been identified in the wild — from two different manufacturers. Luckily,
the change in manufacturer did not seem to affect the noise signature. Added
Mar/07 |
Scythe
S-Flex SFF21D
Scythe S-Flex SFF21E
Scythe S-Flex SFF21F |
Adda? (Sony Bearing)
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Sony-FDB
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8.9V
4.8V
4.0V
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800 RPM
1,200 RPM
1,600 RPM
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~20 dBA@1m
23 dBA@1m
31 dBA@1m
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| Sounds and performs almost identically to
the Nexus, though its noise character is very slightly more tonal. However,
quality control with the S-Flex appears to be better, and the Sony-FDB bearing
is thought to be quite high quality. Some people have commented that the
lowest speed model has a trace of ticking that is absent in higher speed
models. Our own testing confirms this. Added Mar/07 |
| Scythe
Kama Flow SA1225FDB12L |
Adda? (Sony Bearing)
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Sony-FDB
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6.6V
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1,000 RPM
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22 dBA@1m
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| Basically identical to the Scythe S-Flex series,
with minor differences in frame design, default speed, and possibly vibration
level. Its rated speed of 1,000 RPM makes it a slightly better choice, though;
it's acceptably quiet at full speed but tolerates undervolting a bit better
than the low speed S-Flex. Availability is currently limited to Japan only.
Added Mar/07 |
* * *
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Recommended 92mm Fans
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Fan Model
(linked to review)
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Manufacturer
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Bearing Type
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Starting Voltage
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Rated Speed
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SPL @ Full Speed
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Xinrulian?
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Sleeve
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2.9V
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800~2,000 RPM
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28 dBA@1m
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| An excellent offering from
an obscure Polish company that is doing all it can to expand to the international
market. Acoustically, it's as good as they come, with a smooth, inoffensive
noise character. Even better, it comes with an integrated fan controller
that ranges from almost noisy to dead silent. An extremely versatile fan
if you can get hold of it. Added Mar/07 |
| Nexus
Real Silent Case Fan DF1209SL-3 |
Dynatron
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Sleeve
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2.4V
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1,500 RPM
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21 dBA@1m
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| Like its larger 120mm cousin,
the 92mm Nexus has served as our reference fan for years. It set the standard
for what a quiet fan should sound like: A low, smooth hum that disappears
quickly. There's a slight touch of motor whine at full speed, but that drops
away almost immediately. Indistinguishable from the Fander at comparable
airflow levels. It's main weaknesses? Sleeve bearings that are unsuitable
for high temperatures and a low MTBF that suggests long-term reliability
may be poor. Added Mar/07 |
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Unknown
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Sleeve
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3.9V
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1,400 RPM
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21 dBA@1m
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| A slick looking fan with
a black frame and transparent blue fins (not to be confused with the Noiseblocker
Silent Fan SE2, which has a clear frame and an ugly noise character). Sounds
very similar to the Nexus, but a close side-by-side comparison showed the
Noiseblocker to have a slightly more tonal (and thus more audible) noise
character. Very smooth, and becomes inaudible below ~7V. Added Mar/07 |
* * *
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Recommended 80mm Fans
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Fan Model
(linked to review)
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Manufacturer
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Bearing Type
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Starting Voltage
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Rated Speed
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SPL @ Full Speed
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Bisonic
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Sleeve
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5.0V
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1,500 RPM
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20 dBA@1m
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| As with its larger brothers,
the 80mm Nexus sets the standard against which all other fans must measure
up. It is shockingly quiet even at full speed. In many systems, 20 dBA@1m
will already be inaudible without requiring any undervolting at all. Its
noise character is smooth and low, just like the other Nexus models. Our
only real complaint is that it may be too quiet — such a slow
fan pushes very little air, and not everyone will be happy with a fan that
pushes 22 CFM at full speed. Added Mar/07 |
| Scythe
Kama Flow SA8025FDB12SL |
Adda? (Sony Bearing)
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Sony-FDB
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4.6V
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1,500 RPM
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22~23 dBA@1m
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| This is basically the
baby brother of the Scythe S-Flex, which, as noted above, gives the 120mm
Nexus a run for its money. Likewise, this Kama Flow gives the 80mm Nexus
a tough challenge, with the final result a tossup, as the two sound more
or less identical. Our samples produced slightly more airflow than the Nexus
at full speed, though both are rated at 1,500 RPM. The Kama Flow's biggest
advantage is the use of Sony's FDB bearings, and its biggest disadvantage
is the impossibility of acquiring one outside of Japan. Added Mar/07 |
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Mechatronics
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Ball
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5.3V
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1,500 RPM
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21 dBA@1m
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| An odd little fan with stiff,
swept-back fins that are less efficient per rotation than most others. Mechatronics
does not target the PC industry, which makes these gems a little hard to
come by. So, what makes it worthwhile? It features what may be the quietest
ball bearings we've ever heard, and it's fairly close to the Nexus when
compared on the basis of noise for airflow. Quality of noise is only a little
behind the Nexus, though it is very different in character: It produces
a rhythmic, muffled throbbing. Added Mar/07 |
* * *
SPCR Articles of Related Interest:
SPCR's Fan Roundup #3: 92mm Fans
SPCR's Fan Roundup #2: 120mm Fans
SPCR's 80mm Fan Roundup #1
SPCR's Fan Testing Methodology
Anatomy of the Silent Fan
Simple Fan Controllers from Zalman
Get 5V, 7V, or 12V for your Fans
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Discuss this article in the SPCR Forums.
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