Replacing stock fans for Fractal R3

[Bluemilk]

Which fans can I use to replace the stock fans on the Fractal R3? I don't intend to add additional fans (maybe an additional front fan if needed). That is, at most I would have 2 intake fans and out exhaust fan.
Any suggestions pple?

Oh, and the items I would be getting would be gotten from here.
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?mai ... ex&cPath=9

So any suggestions are preferably available from the site.

Thanks!

[fumino]

i'd suggest either the nexus 120, or the scythe slipstream 800rpm, or 1200rpm versions.. undervolted they should all be very quiet.

a lot of those prices look painful lol... probably stick with the nexus.

[Bluemilk]

i'd suggest either the nexus 120, or the scythe slipstream 800rpm, or 1200rpm versions.. undervolted they should all be very quiet.

a lot of those prices look painful lol... probably stick with the nexus.

Yea they do look expensive don't they .
If I do slipstream 800rpm fans, do I need two of them for the front of my casing? What's the safest way to undervolt? Use the fan controller that Fractal provided?

[mkk]

If you don't need much airflow the Slip Stream 800's can be run at 5V and still start reliably, in contrast to the Nexus Silents. Then there are also cheap 5V adapters from Zalman and others that for instance convert one molex to 2 x 5V and 2 x 12V 3pin connectors. If you want to run a little higher than 5V then try the included controller. At 5V even the included fans might be usable as intakes, depending on the positioning of the system to the users ears. The linked company doesn't seem to have any such multi-connectors though.

[Bluemilk]

If you don't need much airflow the Slip Stream 800's can be run at 5V and still start reliably, in contrast to the Nexus Silents. Then there are also cheap 5V adapters from Zalman and others that for instance convert one molex to 2 x 5V and 2 x 12V 3pin connectors. If you want to run a little higher than 5V then try the included controller. At 5V even the included fans might be usable as intakes, depending on the positioning of the system to the users ears. The linked company doesn't seem to have any such multi-connectors though.

I would probably need a bit of air-flow, as the cable-management in my case, while not messy, can definitely be improved. Would having 2 of the slipstream 800rpm fans as intakes and 1 as the exhaust be too extreme?

Sorry for the noobish questions; maybe I should have posted in the newcomers forum.

[mkk]

That sounds like a good setup. With my white R3 though the rear vent was so restrictive to the airflow that a Slip Stream 800 at full speed created quite a bit of noise. Might be the extra thick white paint, but I opted to open up the rearwards top vent and an using two Slip Stream 800's at 5V for exhaust. Depending on how powerful hardware you are using it might be a good idea to buy an extra fan just in case. Those are some excellent fans anyway.

[Bluemilk]

[quote="mkk" Then there are also cheap 5V adapters from Zalman and others that for instance convert one molex to 2 x 5V and 2 x 12V 3pin connectors. [/quote]

Do you have a link to those adapters?

[mkk]

http://www.zalman.com/ENG/product/Produ ... sp?idx=224
I believe Zalman was first out on the market with this idea, while now there are copies out there. It's such a simple thing after all.

[Bluemilk]

That sounds like a good setup. With my white R3 though the rear vent was so restrictive to the airflow that a Slip Stream 800 at full speed created quite a bit of noise. Might be the extra thick white paint, but I opted to open up the rearwards top vent and an using two Slip Stream 800's at 5V for exhaust. Depending on how powerful hardware you are using it might be a good idea to buy an extra fan just in case. Those are some excellent fans anyway.

How do the slipstream 800rpms compare to the s-flex 800rpms? Still figuring out which set-up to get.

[quest_for_silence]

Still figuring out which set-up to get.

Maybe because you haven't read enough the site's articles? At anyway, providing it won't run horizontally, a Slipstream would look like a better option (apart samples variance).

Code: Select all

Scythe Slipstream SY1225SL12L
Voltage	Noise	RPM	CFM
12V	     19	  770	 24 
9V	     ~18	  640	 21 
7V	     <18	  540	 18 
5V	     <18	  420	 13 
@20 CFM (8.4V)	~18 dBA@1m	 620 RPM 

Scythe S-Flex SFF21D
Voltage	Noise	RPM	CFM
12V	     ~20	 850	 23 
9V	      <19	 620	 16 
7V	      <19	 430	 11 
5V	     STALL 
@20 CFM (10.8V)   <19 dBA@1m	750 RPM 

[Bluemilk]

Sorry, completely missed that article out.

Another question: has any one used Noctua's low-noise adaptors with other fan models?

[quest_for_silence]

has any one used Noctua's low-noise adaptors with other fan models?

Yes, I actually use them: it works, but YMMV (as different fans - may - have different current ratings).