120mm PWM case fan for HTPC.. help please!

[Copyright]

I was going to go with the new Noctua 120mm fan but honestly the color is going to be right in my face where the PC is. I had thought about Noise Blocker but I see mixed reviews. I can get the Corsair PWM SP120 locally. One fan will be blowing air in.. and one fan will be blowing on the video cards heatsink. Please help me pick a good quiet 120mm fan.

[Copyright]

Just remembered the fan doesnt need to be pwm afterall.. I was thinking of doing an AF120 quiet on the front and an SP120 quiet on the video card heatsink. The price is good on these fans and they seem to get good reviews.

[Abula]

For 120mm PWM i would go with Scythe Slipstream PWM SY1225SL12LM-P, cheap and very good working range, 300-1300rpm on PWM. But very hard to get them atm, with scythe distributions in US being none existent, but rumor says they will be re opening on September so if you want to wait... this or the new glidestreams (same just with some texture on the blades). If you cant wait, then i would go with Noctua NF-S12A PWM for case fans, and if its for CPU fan or under a heavy retriction, Noctua NF-F12 PWM.

Now since you say it doesnt have to be PWM fans, then read SPCR Fan Roundup #6: Scythe, Noiseblocker, Antec, Nexus, Thermalright, includes 3/4 of the fans im going to suggest,

1) Noiseblocker NB-Multiframe M12-S1 120mmx25mm Ultra Silent Fan 850rpm
2) Scythe GentleTyphoon D1225C12B2AP-12 800rpm
3) Nexus BASIC D12SL-12 1000rpm
4) Scythe Slipstream SY1225SL12L 800rpm

The Corsair AF120 were reviewed by SPCR Fan Roundup #7: Antec, be quiet!, Corsair, GELID, Noiseblocker, SilverStone

[Copyright]

Well it looks like the Corsair fans didn't fair all that well. The Noise Blocker is an optoin for sure but I would need a higher RPM version to make sure the video card stays cool. Under Load I don't know if 850 rpm will cover it. I imagine I can just throttle down the faster version with the Asus Fan control and build a custom fan curve?

[Abula]

Well it looks like the Corsair fans didn't fair all that well. The Noise Blocker is an optoin for sure but I would need a higher RPM version to make sure the video card stays cool. Under Load I don't know if 850 rpm will cover it.

Well for me anything over 800rpm stats to get noticeble, maybe not loud but for me there is no point going over that, i try to plan so i can balance on those fans, that said SPCR in that review also tested the S2, which is a 1200 version and also did well. Also they tested the GT AP14 1400rpm, there is a version 1150rpm that could be a solid option for you.

I imagine I can just throttle down the faster version with the Asus Fan control and build a custom fan curve?

Yes all of them can be undervolted with FanXpert fine,

M12 S1 and S2



GT12



NEXUS D12SL-12

[Copyright]

I found I can get the Antec True Quiet Pro at Frys for 14$ each if I make them match amazon price. How do those fair?

[Abula]

I found I can get the Antec True Quiet Pro at Frys for 14$ each if I make them match amazon price. How do those fair?

You should try to read the reviews, if you were to have taken the time on reading the roundup 6 that i already posted, from which i recommend 3/4 fans, you would have seen how the Antec True Quiet Pro specially against the same fans that i suggested.

The Antec TrueQuiet Pro 120 also could be a good low noise choice where superlative cooling is not necessary. Its noise signature is very good, although with the switch on low, the cooling might not be quite enough. But so many motherboards have good fan control functions these days that it's not necessary to use a hardware controller to reduce fan speed any more.

[Copyright]

Orderd the thin 92mm Noctua for my heatsink and the PWM fan that is made for heatsinks to blow on my video card. Going to run the stock Silverstone front fan for now.