SPCR

I'm sure this has been answered before but I can't seem to find it on this site. If dealing with two fans of the same size and model (say a Panaflo L1A), which gives better noise-reduction: dropping both fans voltage down to either 7 or 5 volts or to remove one fan and leave the other running at 12 volts? Is there possibly a formula for this or would it depend more on the model of the fan, location in the case, etc?

Thanks,

Todd

Hiya! Welcome to the forum!

Well, as you say it does depend to some extent on other factors such as your case etc. But i would say that almost without doubt 2 fans @ 5 or 7V will be the best solution.


Lets say that you were using M1As, and a L1A represented an M1A at 7V (i think this is valid in order to explain this?). Heres their stats,
M1A: 28dB 32CFM
L1A: 21dB 24CFM


so 1 M1A = 28dB and 32CFM
but 2 7V M1As (L1A) = 2x 21dB and 2x 24CFM = 24dB and 48CFM.

(You know dB are logarithmic?)

so two fans at 7V is less than half as loud and gives 50% more airflow...

If your unsure about the dB sums just say and ill elaborate

Makes perfect sense. Thanks!

Check out this very useful interactive chart right here:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/files/fan ... nspecs.xls