SPCR

I've just ordered a 120mm nexus fan for the back of my BQE case. I'm not sure what to order for the front..either:

another 120mm nexus or
a 92mm nexus or
a 92mm acoustifan

I normally would buy panaflo (currently using an 80L on my heatsink and its class) but the last 92mm L1-BX I had ticked at any voltages and vibrated horribly.

Yeah--from what I've heard, it sounds like Panaflo quality has pretty much gone downhill since they shifted production to China.

I think you should get another Nexus fan, because in general, I think temperature sensors are not usually well suited to intake fans.

I agree with your panaflo comment regarding the 92's but the last few 80L's have been fine. I just wish the acoustifans weren't temp controlled.

zuperdee wrote:because in general, I think temperature sensors are not usually well suited to intake fans.

Why not? Afaik, the AcoustiFan's sensor, being on a length of wire, can be placed anywhere in the case. Exhaust fan and intake fan sensors can be located in the same place, so, in theory, they get the same rpm.

the 92mm panaflo has a radically different motor design from the 80mm i'm told, and that is the cause of the terrible clicking, not manufacturing. from a cooling point of view they all have nice properties and the 120mm is apparenty quiet highly regardet in the oc community. but for quiet opeation only the 80mm is relevant. sorry to be OT btw.

I have a BQE case and i tryed a evercool 120mm and 92panaflo in the front, for some reason the panaflo cools just about the same as the evercool if not better!

I have the panaflo set to 5V and it doesnt bother me.

Ralf has the same thing and he likes it too i think.

~RaNDoM

L1a 80MM all the way

FWIW, Acoustifan has a fixed speed version of the 120mm -- available at QuietPC.

Dave

dasman wrote:FWIW, Acoustifan has a fixed speed version of the 120mm -- available at QuietPC.

Dave

Hey, I hadn't noticed that until you mentioned it. Here is a link to quietpcusa to the specific item.

Thanks Dave!

Why do you need a fan up front at all? I have four computers in BQE cases now, and none of them use a frontal fan.

I have found after repeated scientific testing that front fans usually make practically no difference whatsoever to the case temperature, and in some cases, they may even RAISE the temperature, if the case is badly designed, and doesn't have decent airflow at the front. I would NOT generally recommend using a fan at the front of a case--all it will do is increase the noise, for no gain in coolness.

That being said, there is one exception: if you have hot hard drives in the front that you can place directly behind the front fan, and that you know for certain can be cooled effectively that way. It still won't decrease your case temperature, but it will cool the hard drives, which is equally important if they are hot running (10,000+ RPM). I suspect the cooling effect of the fan could be further increased when used together with something like the Zalman ZM-2HC1 hard drive heatpipe cooler.

al bundy wrote:

dasman wrote:FWIW, Acoustifan has a fixed speed version of the 120mm -- available at QuietPC.

Dave

Hey, I hadn't noticed that until you mentioned it. Here is a link to quietpcusa to the specific item.

Thanks Dave!

Mine got here today, going to give it a try tonight... (compare it to a Papst 4412 & a Nexus 120mm and pick 2 out of three). I'm betting the Nexus will end up being the odd fan out...

Dave

zuperdee wrote:I have found after repeated scientific testing that front fans usually make practically no difference whatsoever to the case temperature, and in some cases, they may even RAISE the temperature, if the case is badly designed, and doesn't have decent airflow at the front. I would NOT generally recommend using a fan at the front of a case--all it will do is increase the noise, for no gain in coolness.

That being said, there is one exception: if you have hot hard drives in the front that you can place directly behind the front fan, and that you know for certain can be cooled effectively that way. It still won't decrease your case temperature, but it will cool the hard drives, which is equally important if they are hot running (10,000+ RPM). I suspect the cooling effect of the fan could be further increased when used together with something like the Zalman ZM-2HC1 hard drive heatpipe cooler.

It just depends on the case, and the airflow levels. Most cases have terrible intake mountings though and really don't do much except help cool your hard drives as you've mentioned. And several 7200 rpm drives will run hotter than a 10k rpm raptor, so don't be to quick to dismiss the importance of cooling them. And filtered intakes can help reduce dust build up better than relying on purely negative pressure, which is a nice benefit imo!