silentpcreview.com - Fans|Controls

Fan Test System, SPCR 2010

Tue, 18 May 2010 14:17:38 -0700

A new fan test system for 2010 focuses on the desired end result of fans in a PC: Cooling, as seen in temperature drop. Measured airflow ranks low on measured parameters; noise remains priority number one. No one has tested PC fans this way before.

Anatomy of the Silent Fan

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 10:15:21 -0800

A distilled summary of fundamental design elements and key factors that affect the acoustic performance of DC axial fans in the role of PC cooling. This information is presented apart from our fan test methodology or actual fan review articles to keep information overload at bay. NOTE: A Postscript Q&A features Dorothy Bradbury, UK fan maven extraordinaire.

First 140 mm Fan Roundup: Noctua, Phanteks, Xigmatek

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:22:07 -0700

140 mm fans from Noctua, Phanteks, and Xigmatek battle in our latest fan roundup with one emerging as a clear winner in both thermal performance and acoustics.

Fan Roundup #7: Antec, be quiet!, Corsair, GELID, Noiseblocker, SilverStone

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:39:57 -0700

It's been a long wait since the last one, but here's the latest in our ever popular series of fan roundups: Nine 120mm fans from Antec, bequiet!, Corsair, GELID, Noiseblocker, and SilverStone duke it out for acoustics and cooling performance.

Recommended Fans

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 19:45:37 -0700

The Recommended Fans article is finally updated. It is a concise practical summary about the technologies, techniques and art of using quiet fans in computers, along with a list of the best candidates.

SpeedFan: A Guide to Universal Motherboard Fan Control

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 05:20:52 -0700

SpeedFan is a free, but extremely powerful and customizable sensor monitoring and fan control utility that works with a huge range of motherboards. Our comprehensive guide walks you through the complex configuration and allows you to unlock the full power of this enduring software utility, a favorite of SPCR for years.

Fan Roundup #6: Scythe, Noiseblocker, Antec, Nexus, Thermalright

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 22:15:00 -0700

Nine fans marketed as quiet are examined with a new SPCR-centric testing methodology that emphasizes acoustics and cooling effectiveness over airflow. Scythe, Noiseblocker, Antec, Nexus and Thermalright fans duke it out.

Zalman CPU & VGA Power Consumption Meter

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 20:41:37 -0800

These are not the first power meters to bear the Zalman name. But they are the first by any PC components company that seem to offer serious CPU and VGA power measurement tools for end users.

Fan Roundup #5: Attack of the 120 Scythes

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:21:57 -0700

Scythe 120mm fans have become the de facto choice for SPCR users in the know in recent months, particularly the Slip Stream series. The brand offers more 120mm fan lines than any other in the computer DIY market. We tackle the Slip Streams, Kama PWMs, and the Ultra Kazes in a massive Scythe-attack.

Zalman ZM-MFC2: 4 x Fan Controller + Power Meter

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 23:49:05 -0700

A fan controller with a power meter built in? Zalman's ZM-MFC2 brings something new to the endless list of things you can display on your front panel: Power consumption. Oh, and it also controls up to four fans.

SPCR's Fan Roundup #4: 120mm Fans II

Tue, 22 May 2007 13:11:31 -0700

In our second roundup of 120mm fans, we've tested several frequently requested models, including fans from Yate Loon, Global Win, SilenX and others often highly recommended by SPCR forum regulars. Despite the careful selection, we can only recommended one fan unconditionally. Which one? Read the article to find out.

A New Way of Testing Fan Airflow

Tue, 01 May 2007 04:08:53 -0700

In spite of our best efforts, some SPCR readers found fault with a few of the airflow measurements in our recent fan roundups. We revisited the airflow metrology. After much experimentation and some test methods that were rejected, we settled on a new way of assessing fan airflow under some load (impedance) that seems more consistent and reliable.

SPCR's Fan Round-Up #3: 92mm Fans

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 12:06:19 -0800

Our latest fan round-up covers seven 92mm models. Familiar names include Nexus, AcoustiFan, Coolink, and Noiseblocker, but there's some unfamiliar ones too: Pure Silence and Fander both submitted samples. It's noise quality that matters the most. Can any of the contenders knock the Nexus 92 out of the top spot?

SPCR's Fan Round-Up #2: 120mm Fans

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 16:33:28 -0800

Our second fan round-up is here. This time, we look at 120mm fans from Nexus, Noctua, Scythe, EBM/Papst, Antec and ARX. Competition was tough, and it wasn't easy to decide which fans we liked most. In the end, it was almost a 3-way tie.

80x25mm Fan Round-Up #1

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 16:01:33 -0800

Here it is at last! You've read about it for years, we've tantalized you with a methodology article without publishing results, but we've finally come through: It's the first episode of SPCR's Calling All Good Fans series of fan round-ups, with detailed noise information about twelve different fans. This round-up has a little bit of everything. The obvious ones: Nexus and Panaflo models that regulars have known and loved for years. Some less known but occasionally recommended fans from Papst and Mechatronics. We've even tossed in a Delta screamer so everyone knows what to avoid. And, last but not least, a surprise gives the Nexus a run for its money...