Good pwm fan replacement for Xigmatek s1283

jrboddie · Post by **jrboddie** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:31 pm

I was planning on replacing the fan on the Xigmatek s1283 with a Slipstream 1200 rpm fan based on reviews at spcr; however, I just learned that my new MB (GA EP43-DS3L) only supports pwm fan control for the CPU cooler.

Any recommendations for a 120 mm pwm fan that would beat the stock fan on the s1283?

CPU: E7200 (modest overclock maybe)
MB: GA EP43-DS3L
RAM: 2 GB DDR2-800
VGA: 9600GT fanless
HDD: 2
Case: P182 (probably)
Case fans: 800 rpm Slipstreams

Metalica77 · Post by **Metalica77** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:20 pm

I'd recommend this

http://www.ncixus.com/products/index.php?sku=26746

jessekopelman · Post by **jessekopelman** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:47 pm

I've been pretty happy with my Arctic-Cooling PWM fans.

Luminair · Post by **Luminair** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:14 pm

PWM fans are pretty sub-optimal for performance and silence.

The spcr review said the default 1283 fan is a typical 120mm pwm fan, so there probably isn't much upgrade room.

You can always plug in a normal fan. What the motherboard says has nothing to do with adding a fan. Small 4 pin motherboard plugs are usually or always 3 pin compatible, and every fan comes with a large molex 4 pin adapter.

jessekopelman · Post by **jessekopelman** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 12:10 am

Luminair wrote:PWM fans are pretty sub-optimal for performance and silence.

The spcr review said the default 1283 fan is a typical 120mm pwm fan, so there probably isn't much upgrade room.

I've got to disagree here. There is definitely a difference between PWM fans. Stuff like Arctic-Cooling is miles beyond the crap that comes with many HSF. Consider this, the A-C uses FDB while every included PWM fan is ball-bearing. Also, its max speed is only 1500 RPM, while most included fans have a max speed of close to 3000 RPM and we know that "naturally"lower speed fans tend to be quieter regardless of "application" speed (eg you don't see anything beyond 2000 RPM on SPCR's 120mm fan recommended list). Is the A-C as good as a low speed slipstream at equivalent RPM? Probably not (although there is really a dearth of such tests), but I am equally confident that it is quieter than whatever comes with the 1283.

Luminair wrote:You can always plug in a normal fan. What the motherboard says has nothing to do with adding a fan. Small 4 pin motherboard plugs are usually or always 3 pin compatible, and every fan comes with a large molex 4 pin adapter.

But clearly he wants to be able to vary his fan speed based on load and while his MB headers will run 3-pin fans (at full speed), it won't control them.

ame · Post by **ame** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:52 am

+1 for 120mm AC PWM. I have one on a TR ultima 90 running at 550-650 rpm and it never goes over 800 at full loads.

I previously had a Galacialtech ball bearing fan at 950 rpm with no ability to change the speed. Now using it as a case fan instead of the Solo's tricool.

Luminair · Post by **Luminair** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 8:47 am

> But clearly he wants to be able to vary his fan speed

He said he was going to use a Slipstream, but the PWM header has him interested in that. So my point was he might not need PWM at all.

> +1 for 120mm AC PWM. I have one on a TR ultima 90 running at 550-650 rpm and it never goes over 800 at full loads.

That is the key to it all isn't it. If the only variance in performance you need is 650<->800rpm, then you might be able to use a fixed speed fan that performs at the top level with the quietness of the bottom level. Thus never needing the PWM in the first place.

This guy is using a giant 1283 heatsink on an e7200. There is no extreme cooling situation to deal with that would merit a variable speed fan. He could use NO fan, and while it would show hot and unimpressive performance, I expect it would work.

That said, because the fan used won't even matter, you could use a PWM fan and it still wouldn't matter. It would just perform worse per unit noise than the regular fan. But as long as whatever fan is used is kept below the desired noise ceiling, things will be fine.

Lawrence Lee · Post by **Lawrence Lee** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 9:38 am

I would use a 800RPM Slipstream. That's quiet enough for 99% of users IMO and would provide more than enough cooling for an E7200.

I'm using a Scythe PWM fan (forgot the model number... it's the 1200RPM one) on my Xigmatek for a Q6600 @ 3.4Ghz. I had to cut the corners with a hacksaw to mount it. If they had a PWM Slipstream, I'd jump on it.

frenchie · Post by **frenchie** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:01 am

+1 for AC PWM fans

I've had a bad experience with a Nexus PWM fan... can't say if it's bad luck or what but I'm not buying one again.

nomoon · Post by **nomoon** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 12:47 pm

I bought a Scythe KAMA PWM fan for my GA EP45-DS3R and it's extremely quiet on my Thermalright HR-01 Plus. I have it idling at 385 RPM.

wojtek · Post by **wojtek** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 6:52 pm

I am happy with my Nexus PWM (with Ninja Rev B) - until reach 800 RPM. But never try AC.... Maybe next month I will get one. Probably it will be big fun getting it on Ninja with broken hand....

jrboddie · Post by **jrboddie** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:05 am

Thank you for the suggestions and debate!

As I indicated in the original post, it is my understanding that the GA EP45-DS3L (I upgraded from the EP43) will not do voltage control on the fan header so I will need either a PWM fan or a fixed rpm fan.

I'll consider the 800 rpm Slipstream and the Arctic Cooling PWM recommendations. The Slipstream should be quiet enough as that is what I will be using as a case fan.