ive got an Alpha PAL6035 and im thinking of changing the Sanyo Denki 60mm fan to something quieter..any recommendations for an affordable alternative? I wanted to use Panaflos but theyre 80mm, ill need to get a fan adapter on top of that <BR> <BR>The Sanyo Denki's specs are: <BR>Model #109R0612H401 Silent (R type) <BR>12v., <!-- BBCode Start --><B>4200 RPM, 21 CFM, 28 dBA </B><!-- BBCode End --> <BR>Motor protection system - Current cut system (with reverse-connection protection) <BR>Dieletric strength - 50/60 Hz, 500 VAC, 1 minute (between lead conductor and frame) <BR>Operating thermally range - -10 C to +60 C (non-condesing) <BR>
[addsig]

Panaflo makes a low CFM/ Low noise 60mm fan. Not exactly cheap, though. The Vantec stealth is cheaper

Directron has Panaflo 60mm here: http://www.directron.com/60l1a.html

and Vantec here: http://www.directron.com/sf6025l.html

I would think the vantecs are quieter in the 60mm flavor, and if it is true they are cheaper its a no brainer, since I believe they also come with a 3-4pin adapter to sweeten the deal. Correct me if I am wrong please=).

-Ken

Before you get a new fan, why not try undervolting the one you have? It's a pretty simple mod if you just want to make one fan run quieter. It's easy to do, especially if you have a 3 to 4 pin adapter lying around. Just pop the pins out of the molex connectors (jeweler's screwdrivers work well for this), and switch them around so that you are delivering 5V or 7V across the fan. Refer to this article here on SPCR for a little more detail.

If you don't have an adapter lying around, you could just use some insulated wire. But I'd recommend buying the adapter because it will be a much neater job. You can usually get them at places like CompUSA, or from local mom-and-pop vendors.

Adda makes a really quiet 60mm fan rated at 13.2CFM/16.1dBA. It's available at Phamcomputer.

http://phamcomputer.safeshopper.com/43/79.htm?491

I have a couple Vantec Stealths 60mm and they do have a 3-4 pin adapter. I'm using one as a replacement for a 60x60x10mm 4800RPM heatsink fan. The Stealth moves a lot less air than the 10mm thick fan (~12CFM vs ~20CFM), but it's also a LOT quieter. The 60x60x10mm fan also had some bearing noise that even at 5V was annoying.

for fans of similar size and RPM, sanyo denki's tend to be just as quiet as other "quiet" fans and are some of the most reliable fans on the market. thus, undervolting to get the same RPM as other low-noise fans would be a fast and easy solution. try hooking it up to 5V first as see if your cpu temps are acceptable under full load and worst case ambient temps you would expect. if 5V is too low (does start or doesn't push enough air or not enough air fast enough) then try something in bettwen 5-12V using a variety of voltage step-down solutions mentioned in SPCR and other quiet PC resources.