SPCR

I'm about to base a build around the Antec P183 V3 case, but I want to swap the fans for some that provide a good compromise between noise and airflow. I could use some advice on choosing specific fans though, having never gone to great lengths in building silent/cool PCs, which is why I'm starting this thread. Of heat generating components in the box there'll mainly be an overclocked i7 2600K CPU cooled by Noctua NH-D14 and an MSI GTX 560 Ti 448 Twin Frozr III. The PC'll be standing in my living room, so I'm not fanatic about silence, but I'd like it to be as quiet as possible while maintaining good enough airflow for the GPU and moderate overclocking of the CPU.

So far I've pretty much decided on Scythe fans, but there are still so many to choose from! If I'm going with non-PWM fans, which is what I have experience with I think I'll go with the Gentle Typhoon series (not sure which RPM to choose though). If I were to choose PWM on the other hand, it looks like it'll have to be the Slipstream series (can't see PWM GTs). So what will you recommend? Perhaps some relatively high RPM Gentle Typhoon model, coupled with a fan controller?

Appreciate any advice!

You can safely run 2 or 3 low current fans from the CPU fan header using PWM Y-splitters.

Also consider this fan's rpm range:
GELID Silent 12 PWM 750-1500RPM

With a fan controller

Pros:
- Full control of the fans, no matter where they are used
- Cheaper fans (not always)
- Display of rpm independant of what you are doing with your screen.
- Avoid overloading mobo headers.

Cons:
- No dynamic control with temps, you will have to manually move the knobs depending on your needs, both cooling n noise.
- Extra use of a 5.25 slot, in some cases it will not allow the door to close (depends on the fan controller)
- Depending on the case sometimes is more work routing cables and hidding, but not a big deal.
- Noise, sometimes certain fans dont like to be undevolted, some have clicking or bearing noise, this is very dependant on the fans you chose.

WIth PWM fans and 4pin pwm fan headers

Pros
- Dynamic control of fans (depends on the mobo)
- Predefined range of operation of the fans, they are design to work in certain range.
- Depending on the mobo, can be controlled with software or bios or both.

Cons
- Not all mobos have good fan management with 4pin pwm fans
- Limited amount of 4pin pwm headers, a lot only come with 1 or 2.
- Limited opertion on bios/software, you are binded to restriction of the bios or software the manufactures has implemented, for example GeneZ has 60% minimum speed on case fans.

Its safer to bet on a fan controller and 3pin fans, but its nicer to go with pwm fan in my experience, but you do need to research the mobo, its software and bios, specially for restrictions and how does it manage the fans.

If you go with 3pin, Nexus Basic 120mm, Scythe Slipstream and Gentle Typhoons (this for cpu heatsink), Noiseblockers Multiframe are my recoomendations, speed will depend on your needs and budget, invest on a good fan controller so you can have a wide range of the rpms depending on your activities or the conditions on which the pc is.

If you go with PWM fans, check the mobo first for how it will manage them and if there are any restrictions. Scythe Slipstream 120 PWM and Scythe Kama Flex 120mm PWM (i would use this on the heatsink) are my recommendations, both can go very low in rpms, about 300rpm and go up between 1300 to 1600rpm, so this is a very big range for you to setup your bios/software according to you needs.