Hi. This is my 1st post so please be gentle.

I have been using SPCR as a reference for building myself a new HTPC and LOVE the site and the reviews. While I was buying components for that, I also got a new CPU cooler for my main computer which was the noisiest thing in the den and is now nice & quiet.

So now, the noisiest thing in the room is the case fan on my NAS, which is the stock 92mm fan that came in it. I want to replace it with something a bit quieter, but the "recommended" list is 3 years old. Can anyone tell me what the current good ones are, and I'd prefer to stay under about US$20 if I can.

The favorites in quiet fans haven't changed much. The Nexus 92mm is still one of the top quiet fans in its size, and the Noiseblocker and Noctua models are also around the top of the list.

About the only one I can think of to add would be Scythe's 92mm Gentle Typhoon. I have a 120mm model, and it has the absolute smoothest and quietest airflow I've ever heard in a computer fan.

I think the only one I've mentioned that's over $20 is the Noctua fan. The rest should be in your price range.

Ok then. That explains the no recent updates issue. Thanks.

Nexus big time !!!

One more vote for the Nexus. It's available everywhere, is fairly cheap, and is very, very quiet.

First since no one has said it yet

Welcome to SPCR


Since you are in the US I'd peruse jab-tech.com. As in

http://www.jab-tech.com/home.php?cat=80 ... irection=0

and look at the cheaper slow fans like

http://www.jab-tech.com/YATE-LOON-92mm- ... -3774.html

The $4 yate loon at 2300 RPM 12v is quiet enough for me with the 5v trick (though I'm not as picky as some on SPCR).

If you like the $9 Scythe "KAZE JYU" 100mm Quiet FAN comes in 1000, 1500, and 2000 RPM versions. Some situations take advantage of the bigger fan blades others need a truly 92mm frame.

A true 92mm is the http://www.jab-tech.com/Scythe-KAMA-FLE ... -4106.html also at $9

Nexus at $11

Scythe Sflex at $12 with 1500, 2000, and 2500 RPM versions.

for the most part I'd say pick an RPM level you are comfortable with and give it a shot. I haven't seen a fan in the RPM range I want that I didn't like and between speedfan and the 5v trick its pretty easy to get fans slowed down when you want them to.

Yateloon's ball bearing 80mm/120mm used to give me a bitter taste regarding vibration and bearing noise. They weren't that bad compared to many lesser fans, but they were still inferior to its sleeve brothers like D12SM-12/D80SM-12, let alone top-notch fans. Try to find Yateloon sleeve bearing fans if you are budget-conscious.