Which Fan: SilentWings 3 vs. Corsair ML Pro vs. NB eLoops?
Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 3:36 pm
***Update 3-16-17***
Well, Corsairs are out of the running due to clicking at low RPMs. (See here: https://youtu.be/th6ax5ud0Pw)
BeQuiets are very good, but they just look so bland. And subjectively they didn't feel like they pushed a ton of air around 1000 rpm.
Noise blocker look nice, Noctua iPPC 24V looks nice. Going to test.
***Original post***
Hey everybody,
I've been HEAVILY invested in researching comparisons between these fans and I'm ultimately torn, so I figured I would turn to people just as picky about noise as I am.
Here's the breakdown:
1) Price is not a factor, I care primarily about silence, then performance and aesthetics about equally
2) Case is a white NZXT Manta (see attached image of the front intake area to get an idea of obstruction the fans have to deal with).
3) Would be purchasing 2x140mm for front intake, 1x120mm for use on my Noctua U12S heatsink, and 1 x 120mm as exhaust
4) My Asus Impact VIII ITX motherboard has a 6 PWM fan headers, and the case comes with a PWM controlled DC Fan controller. So I've got no shortage of connectivity. I enjoy the flexibility afforded by PWM generally speaking.
5) I will NEVER run my fans about 1400RPM in most cases, I would sooner under clock or take a performance hit than deal with a jet engine in my room
6) Finally, here are the contenders, and why:
- Corsair ML Pro series: considered very quiet at low RPMs while having great airflow. I like the look of them, and the option to toss on white corners to match my build.
- BeQuiet SilentWings 3: consistently highly regarded as an excellent low noise fan. Looks is a bit more generic but they look fine.
- Noiseblocker eLoops: many say the sound signature is great, but I have also heard that some versions louder than others at equal RPMs, PWM version should be avoided (or some say its fine, who knows). Was considering maybe 2x140mm for the front at least, but was also worried about reports about noise when placed near obstructions or filters.
Airflow is relatively open.
Anybody with direct experience with these fans able to share their thoughts? Especially those who might have tested them individually or gotten to compare. Thanks!
***What I've researched thus far***
I've read every known publication's review of each of these fans, and the comments sections of those reviews, and every known forum. The consensus I've seen thus far is:
- Corsair ML Pro are really good
- SilentWings 3 are really good (my motherboard should also be safe from Thermalbench's reported PWM issues with these which can happen at higher PWM %'s)
- Noiseblocker very good, can make noise if a filter placed in front of them, some versions make more noise than others, SPCR said avoid them PWM version?
- Before the Noctua users chime in: I already bought and tested a full set of 2x120mm and 2x140mm PWM Noctua iPPC fans (2000 RPM variety). They click at low RPMs, and sound substantially worse at the same RPM as their beige counterparts. So that's a no-go. I was very disappointed.
Where I'm still stuck is I could use hearing from more SilentPCReview-oriented opinions comparing the SilentWings to the Corsairs to the Nosieblockers. Or at least more objective reviews from people who test properly: it also doesn't help that over 3/4 of the reviews out there for the Corsair fans are written by people who weren't following instructions (always run the fans through PWM so the MagLev gets the 12V needed to operating ideally), and then they do ridiculous stuff like compare the 12V DC noise level of the Corsair ML (a 2400RPM fan) to the 12V DC noise level of a 1400RPM fan, and conclude "WELL THE 1400RPM FAN IS CERTAINLY QUIETER THAN THE 2400RPM FAN! HERE IS WINNER!" lol.
I generally trust SPCR more because the user-base tends to seem more collected in their approach to component selection, people care a bit less about mad-overclocks and more about being able to hear themselves think, etc.
Thanks for everybody's input. Seems like these are 3 of the most popular fans out there currently so if this thread gets going this might be useful to a bunch of people debating between them.
Well, Corsairs are out of the running due to clicking at low RPMs. (See here: https://youtu.be/th6ax5ud0Pw)
BeQuiets are very good, but they just look so bland. And subjectively they didn't feel like they pushed a ton of air around 1000 rpm.
Noise blocker look nice, Noctua iPPC 24V looks nice. Going to test.
***Original post***
Hey everybody,
I've been HEAVILY invested in researching comparisons between these fans and I'm ultimately torn, so I figured I would turn to people just as picky about noise as I am.
Here's the breakdown:
1) Price is not a factor, I care primarily about silence, then performance and aesthetics about equally
2) Case is a white NZXT Manta (see attached image of the front intake area to get an idea of obstruction the fans have to deal with).
3) Would be purchasing 2x140mm for front intake, 1x120mm for use on my Noctua U12S heatsink, and 1 x 120mm as exhaust
4) My Asus Impact VIII ITX motherboard has a 6 PWM fan headers, and the case comes with a PWM controlled DC Fan controller. So I've got no shortage of connectivity. I enjoy the flexibility afforded by PWM generally speaking.
5) I will NEVER run my fans about 1400RPM in most cases, I would sooner under clock or take a performance hit than deal with a jet engine in my room
6) Finally, here are the contenders, and why:
- Corsair ML Pro series: considered very quiet at low RPMs while having great airflow. I like the look of them, and the option to toss on white corners to match my build.
- BeQuiet SilentWings 3: consistently highly regarded as an excellent low noise fan. Looks is a bit more generic but they look fine.
- Noiseblocker eLoops: many say the sound signature is great, but I have also heard that some versions louder than others at equal RPMs, PWM version should be avoided (or some say its fine, who knows). Was considering maybe 2x140mm for the front at least, but was also worried about reports about noise when placed near obstructions or filters.
Airflow is relatively open.
Anybody with direct experience with these fans able to share their thoughts? Especially those who might have tested them individually or gotten to compare. Thanks!
***What I've researched thus far***
I've read every known publication's review of each of these fans, and the comments sections of those reviews, and every known forum. The consensus I've seen thus far is:
- Corsair ML Pro are really good
- SilentWings 3 are really good (my motherboard should also be safe from Thermalbench's reported PWM issues with these which can happen at higher PWM %'s)
- Noiseblocker very good, can make noise if a filter placed in front of them, some versions make more noise than others, SPCR said avoid them PWM version?
- Before the Noctua users chime in: I already bought and tested a full set of 2x120mm and 2x140mm PWM Noctua iPPC fans (2000 RPM variety). They click at low RPMs, and sound substantially worse at the same RPM as their beige counterparts. So that's a no-go. I was very disappointed.
Where I'm still stuck is I could use hearing from more SilentPCReview-oriented opinions comparing the SilentWings to the Corsairs to the Nosieblockers. Or at least more objective reviews from people who test properly: it also doesn't help that over 3/4 of the reviews out there for the Corsair fans are written by people who weren't following instructions (always run the fans through PWM so the MagLev gets the 12V needed to operating ideally), and then they do ridiculous stuff like compare the 12V DC noise level of the Corsair ML (a 2400RPM fan) to the 12V DC noise level of a 1400RPM fan, and conclude "WELL THE 1400RPM FAN IS CERTAINLY QUIETER THAN THE 2400RPM FAN! HERE IS WINNER!" lol.
I generally trust SPCR more because the user-base tends to seem more collected in their approach to component selection, people care a bit less about mad-overclocks and more about being able to hear themselves think, etc.
Thanks for everybody's input. Seems like these are 3 of the most popular fans out there currently so if this thread gets going this might be useful to a bunch of people debating between them.