Of the fans I've looked at so far, going by the specs it looks like one of the best is a DELTA brand fan.
This was a suprise to me because I've always heard Deltas described as being real screamers. However it may be that this is a partly undeserved reputation in that most of us see Deltas being used on the magnum overclocker HSF units, as opposed to some of their quieter applications.
I'm looking at either the Delta AFB1212LE or ME models. These seem to do better according to their specs than the NMB fans which are popular with the folks here at SPCR. (although the 'B10' that folks talk most about is a 25mm thick model, these are all 38mm thick fans.)
Does anyone have evidence to show that Delta 'exagerates' their specifications?
Here are how the fans compare... Note that each company has two models that are fairly close, with a low model that just meets my minimum spec, and a slightly stronger model that gives about 10% more CFM with only a minor noise increase. I'm inclined to get the stronger model on the theory that I can crank it down lower to get whatever airflow I end up needing, but have the higher potential available if I need it.
Code: Select all
DELTA A W RPM CFM SP Db Vop
AFB1212LE .19 2.3 2000 84.8 .18" 34 4-13
AFB1212ME .26 3.1 2300 95.0 .24" 38 4-13
NMB
4715KL04W-B10 .27 3.2 2300 83.6 .17" 37 6-14
4715KL04W-B20 .40 4.8 2650 97.0 .22" 41 6-14
A = Amps; W = Watts, SP = Static Pressure (inches), Vop = Operating voltage range. All specs from MFGR websites, with minor rounding.
Judging by the operation voltage spec, it looks like the Delta has a range that more closely matches a PSU's output, and is more tolerant of undervolting.
Even more interesting is what I see when I look at the P-Q curves. The NMB fans have a big dip in the middle of the range, but the Delta curve is much flatter, almost a straight diagonal line.
So it looks to me like the Deltas really have a lot going for them. Does anyone have any experience (preferably with these models) that would say differently?
I still need to check some of the other companies, but going by this, it looks like I should get a pair of Delta AFB1212ME's for the front intakes, and a couple of Panaflo's to go on the back.
Gooserider