Second 140 mm Fan Roundup: Antec, bequiet!, Corsair, Scythe

Table of Contents

Last week we tested a half dozen 140 mm fans, with models from Phanteks and Noctuas floating to top and offerings from Xigmatek sinking to the bottom. This time we have five contenders from Antec, bequiet!, Corsair, and Scythe slugging it out.

May 28, 2013 by Lawrence Lee

Last week we tested a
half dozen 140 mm fans
with models from Phanteks and Noctuas rising
to top, and offerings from Xigmatek sinking to the bottom. This time we have
contenders from Antec, bequiet!, Corsair, and Scythe slugging it out.

The following is a summary of our current fan testing methodology; for more information as to our reasoning behind all this, it’s described in great detail in our last fan roundup.

THE TEST HARDWARE

  • i7-1366 CPU die simulator with embedded T-type Thermocouple wire
    A generous contribution from Thermalright. It can handle up to 150W,
    but its heat distribution is somewhat more even than a typical CPU. The
    main thing is that it gets hot enough, with extreme consistency, and there
    are no worries about a CPU or motherboard breaking down.
  • Thermalright Archon heatsink — It’s a good performer like most Thermalright
    CPU heatsinks, and it can fit very large fans. It is also quite responsive
    to the size of fan used due to its big mating surface area for the fan. Given
    the same RPM, for example, a 140mm fan always results in lower temperature
    than a 120mm fan. For a fan test platform, this is as it should be.
  • Mastech
    6030D
    DC Regulated Power supply, 0-64V/3A — It heats up the
    CPU die simulator with power up to 137W.
  • For Voltage fan speed control, we use a custom built 0~12 VDC Regulated
    Voltage Fan Controller
    — The same one used for years and years. It is
    sometimes used for PWM fans when the lowest test speed is not achievable on
    the PWM fan controller.
  • For PWM fan speed control, Fan Xpert 2 utility in Asus P8Z77-V Pro motherboard — A great board to work with to test fans. You’ll appreciate the detailed data summary it generates. It also incorporates a voltage regulation circuit for its non-CPU 4-pin headers, which allows 3-pin non-PWM fans to be analyzed using its auto-tune function, and to run the entire test on the fan when appropriate. It has too conservative a definition of “safe starting speed”, which prevents many 3-pin fans from running at very low (but still safe) speeds.
  • Kanomax 6803 Vane Anemometer
    — ±1% accuracy rating, which is believable. This is by far the most
    accurate of the handful that we’ve acquired over the years. Ironically, it
    is used not as a primary tool, however, but a secondary one as we’re not concerned
    about airflow per se, but its thermal effects in a cooling system.
  • Mannix DT8852 Dual Input Thermometer (K, J or T Thermocouple input) —
    Supposedly 0.1% accurate. This is to monitor the temperature of the CPU
    die and the ambient air ~6″ in front of the fan intake
  • High accuracy general purpose Multimeter
  • Guangzhou Landtek Instruments Scroboscope DT2350P (primary tachometer) — This is supposed to be accurate to 0.1%.
  • Laser digital tachometer by Neiko Tools USA (alternate tachometer) — This is supposed to have 0.05% accuracy, but I don’t trust it as much as the strobe, it requires a reflective tape to be stuck on a blade, often gives false readings (like 9687 RPM when measuring a fan spinning at ~700 RPM)) and doesn’t work well with light colored fins.
  • SPCR hemi-anechoic chamber
    and audio analysis system.

THE TEST PROCEDURE

Our die simulator is heated up to maximum capacity and fans are strapped on and run at a variety of predetermined speeds. We record airflow, noise, and temperature rise, that is the difference between ambient temperature and the temperature of an object under thermal load. Better cooling results in lower temperature rise; worse cooling results in higher temperature rise. In this case, the ambient is the temperature of the air 6″ in front of the fan, and the thermal load temperature is that of the CPU die simulator.

The fans are tested at top speed and 2000, 1500, 1100, 900, 700, and 550 RPM if possible (most fans can hit at three or four of these speeds at the minimum, giving us a nice cross-section for comparison). Long experience has shown that neither noise nor cooling is affected by changes in fan speed that are lower than ~50 RPM. We did not sweat to make the targets exactly, but they were always better than 50 RPM within target, as measured by the stroboscope.

Using RPM has an important, practical advantage: For
most computer users, RPM is the fan/cooling data that is most readily accessible,
and controllable
. Almost every fan in computerland these days offers
RPM data output, and every motherboard has the ability to monitor it. If you
set the speed of your selected fan at one of our test points, you know exactly
what noise level (within a decibel or so) will obtain. There are many ways to
adjust fan speed: Most motherboards are equipped with speed controllers for
their fan headers, and monitor fan speeds for any standard 3-pin fans or 4-pin
PWM fans, and the RPM can be displayed right on the desktop using any number
of fan and/or thermal utilities.

Antec TrueQuiet 140

The Antec TrueQuiet 140 is the one fan in this roundup that seems to cater
to our readership more than any other. It has a relatively low speed of 800
RPM so it should be fairly quiet right out of the box, but Antec has also included
a two-speed switch to make it run at just 500 RPM which should be deathly quiet
for a fan of almost any size. Less demanding users may consider this too slow
to even be worth using, and to be fair, the 120
mm model
was a poor performer at low speeds.


The TrueQuiet 140 ships in a plastic clamshell containers but this one is particularly onerous. A pair of metal buttons seal the two sides together and often the plastic fractures at these two points creating jagged edges.

The fan has a standard sized frame but the contours are far from a simple square. The circular portion surrounding the blades is raised compared to the thin rim. The corners are equipped with thick orange rubber blocks for cushioning. Thin plastic pushpins are provided for mounting as there are no threads for screws to grip onto. The package also includes a two speed switch and a 3-pin to molex adapter.

The fan blades are scalloped near the tips.

The structure of the fan seem sound. The hub is relatively small for a 140 mm model, limiting the size of the dead spot at the center and the fins and struts form large intersecting angles.

 

Specifications: Antec TrueQuiet 140
Manufacturer Antec Power Rating 0.72 / 1.2 W
Model Number TrueQuiet 140 Airflow Rating 20.27 / 32.44 CFM
Bearing Type Sleeve Speed Rating 500 / 800 RPM
Frame Size 140 x 140 x 25 mm Noise Rating 9.8 / 20.0 dBA
Hub Size 41 mm Header Type 3-pin w/ molex adapter
Blade Diameter 133 mm Fan Mounts Pushpins
Cable Length 45 cm Weight 160 g
Starting Voltage 5.5 ~ 6.0 V Number of Samples 5
Corner Type Open Retail Availability Yes

Extras: 14 cm molex adapter, 14 cm 3-pin RPM sensor cable, two-speed switch.

 


This is the screen capture of Fan Xpert 2’s auto-analysis of the Antec TrueQuiet 140.

 


Acoustic analysis of the Antec TrueQuiet 140.

 

SPCR Test Results: Antec TrueQuiet 140
Fan Speed (RPM)
750
700
550
SPL (dBA@1m)
15
13~14
11
Thermal Rise (°C)
22
23
26
Airflow in/out (FPM)
320/420
230/310

The TrueQuiet 140 had the best acoustics of this latest batch of fans, emitting a nice broadband sound throughout the tested range. Measured noise levels were meager as well, just 15 dBA@1m at full speed. If you’re looking for a quiet fan out of the box, this is suitable candidate. For many, the low speed (500 RPM) setting on the included switch is simply unnecessary. .

There was some sample variance encountered — 2 of the 5 samples we listened to had a slight clicking but this was only audible when placing the fans right up to our ear. This might not be desirable as a desk fan but inside a PC it’s perfectly acceptable.

The 120 mm version of the TrueQuiet was a poor performer in our thermal test
but its bigger brother put in a better effort, keeping the temperature fairly
low. For reference, at the 550 RPM / 11 dBA@1m level, it outpaced the smaller
TrueQuiet by a gargantuan 8°C.

Antec TwoCool 140

Antec’s TwoCool series is their basic fan line. It doesn’t appear to be marketed
or designed for any specific purpose; it’s an unflashy, no fuss, no muss, standard
case fan with nothing remarkable about it other than a dual-speed switch. We
tested the 120
mm model
and found it was really only worth using at full speed. Hopefully
the 140 mm variant has something more to offer.


Like the TrueQuiet 140, the TwoCool 140 is entombed in the agonizing plastic clamshell.

The TwoCool has a traditional square box frame. The extras are the same as the TrueQuiet except standard steel screws replace the plastic pushpins for mounting.

The TwoCool 140 essentially has the same design as the 120 but its are translucent like the TrueQuiet. The blades have a more traditional shape and are significantly larger than the TrueQuiet as well.

 

Specifications: Antec TwoCool 140
Manufacturer Antec Power Rating 2.4 / 3.6 W
Model Number TwoCool 140 Airflow Rating 33.6 / 58.9 CFM
Bearing Type Sleeve Speed Rating 800 / 1,200 RPM
Frame Size 140 x 140 x 25 mm Noise Rating 21.8 / 26 dBA
Hub Size 41 mm Header Type 3-pin w/ molex adapter
Blade Diameter 133 mm Fan Mounts Screws
Cable Length 45 cm Weight 130 g
Starting Voltage 4.0 ~ 4.5 V Number of Samples 5
Corner Type Closed Retail Availability Yes

Extras: 8 cm molex adapter, two-speed switch.

 


This is the screen capture of Fan Xpert 2’s auto-analysis of the Antec TwoCool 140.

 


Acoustic analysis of the Antec TwoCool 140.

 

SPCR Test Results: Antec TwoCool 140
Fan Speed (RPM)
1100
900
700
550
SPL (dBA@1m)
22~23
18
13
11
Thermal Rise (°C)
18
19
21
23
Airflow in/out (FPM)
470/580
230/330

At 1,100 and 900 RPM, the TwoCool 140’s acoustic profile was dominated mainly
by buzzing but it also had an underlying clicking. Like the 120 mm version,
at lower speed, the decreased airflow and turbulence allowed the clicking to
come to the forefront. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not an awful sounding
fan, but it is unremarkable.

Of the samples we received, there wasn’t much difference between them except for the degree of clicking, though the relative level of variance was minor. The model we plucked out for testing was in the middle in this regard.

When we tested the TwoCool 120, its performance fell apart at lower speeds, but the 140 held strong. In fact it scored record low thermal rises at the 18, 13, and 11 dBA@1m levels, making it the champion of this roundup and all the fans we’ve tested so far. What TwoCool lacked in quietness, it made up for in efficiency.

bequiet! Silent Wings 2

The results of our 120 mm fan roundup were disappointing in that most of the better sounding fans turned out to be poor at cooling. The 120 mm version of the bequiet! Silent Wings 2 was the only model that really bucked this trend. Let’s see if the 140 mm version follows in the same mold.


The Silent Wings 2 ships in a long thin cardboard box.

Included with the fan is a nice set of accessories including a molex adapter with 12V, 7V, and 5V plugs and both hard and soft mount options.

The fins are noticeably thinner than the 120 mm version but otherwise the structure of the fan is the same. The blades are ridged on both sides, and the blade/strut angle is nice and wide. The hub size is quite large, making bequiet!’s blades seem comically short.

 

Specifications: bequiet! Silent Wings 2
Manufacturer bequiet! Power Rating 2.4 W
Model Number BQT T14025-MF-3 Airflow Rating 60.4 CFM
Bearing Type Fluid Dynamic Speed Rating 1,000 RPM
Frame Size 140 x 140 x 25 mm Noise Rating 15.8 dBA
Hub Size 48 mm Header Type 3-pin with 5V/7V/12V molex adapter
Blade Diameter 132 mm Fan Mounts Screws or rubber fittings & pushpins
Cable Length 40 cm Weight 190 g
Starting Voltage < 4.0 V Number of Samples 3
Corner Type N/A Retail Availability Yes

Extras:
5 cm molex 5V/7V/12V adapter, steel screws for hard mounting, rubber fittings and pushpins for soft mounting.

 


This is the screen capture of Fan Xpert 2’s auto-analysis of the bequiet! Silent Wings 2.

 


Acoustic analysis of the bequiet! Silent Wings 2.

 

SPCR Test Results: bequiet! Silent Wings 2
Fan Speed (RPM)
950
900
700
550
SPL (dBA@1m)
17
15~16
12
11
Thermal Rise (°C)
20
21
25
29
Airflow in/out (FPM)
350/500
230/280

Overall the Silent Wings 2 is one of the better sounding fans in this roundup. It has a mostly smooth sound at 900 RPM and above though we noted some odd tonal effects at about 0.5 meters distance that wasn’t detectable close-up or at one meter away. At 700 and 550 RPM it still sounded quite good though a faint low-pitched hum crept in but, with a noise level of 12 dBA@1m and lower, you’d be hard press to hear it.

A second sample had similar acoustics to the one we tested, while a third was a more pronounced hum at low speeds. Even with this defect, it still sounded better than most of the other fans we tested today.

When it came to cooling performance, the Silent Wings 2 excelled only at high speed. At 700 RPM there was a sizable increases in temperature, and again at 550 RPM with the thermal rise approaching 30°C.

Corsair Air AF140 Quiet Edition

The Corsair Air series turned out to be some of the stronger performers in our 120 mm fan roundup last month but their acoustics left something to be desired. Their 120 mm models consists of two lines, the AF120 designed for CPU coolers and general use, and SP120 for radiators, each with a high and low speed variant. The 140 mm series is broken up similarly but currently the AF140 Quiet Edition is the only one available on their website at time of writing.


Corsair wins the title of flashiest packaging for this roundup with its glossy, windowed box.

The decorative red ring can be swapped out for white and blue. The only other extras are a short low noise adapter and some black fan screws.

Compared to the AF120, there are two extra fan blades and they flare out more at the ends. Additionally, the hub is actually smaller than the AF120’s by a hair, thus the fan has a larger potential cooling area. Rubberized corners and mounting holes help limit vibration.

 

Specifications: Corsair Air AF140 Quiet Edition
Manufacturer Corsair Power Rating 1.8 W
Model Number CO-9050009-WW Airflow Rating 67.8 CFM
Bearing Type Advanced Hydraulic Speed Rating 1,150 RPM
Frame Size 140 x 140 x 25 mm Noise Rating 24 dBA
Hub Size 42 mm Header Type 3-pin
Blade Diameter 131 mm Fan Mounts Screws
Cable Length 29 cm Weight 170 g
Starting Voltage < 4.0 V Number of Samples 2
Corner Type Open Retail Availability Yes

Extras: 5 cm low noise adapter (~950 RPM), screws.

 


This is the screen capture of Fan Xpert 2’s auto-analysis of the Corsair Air AF140 Quiet Edition.

 


Acoustic analysis of the Corsair Air AF140 Quiet Edition.

 

SPCR Test Results: Corsair Air AF140 Quiet Edition
Fan Speed (RPM)
1100
900
700
550
SPL (dBA@1m)
22
17
13
11~12
Thermal Rise (°C)
17
18
22
25
Airflow in/out (FPM)
530/660
290/320

The AF140 Quiet Edition started off pretty well, sounding mostly smooth and turbulent at full speed. At 900 RPM, it was much of the same with the addition of a low pitched buzzing. At 700 RPM, a hum developed, and at 550 RPM, it started to click as well, but only at close proximity. It’s not a terrible sounding fan per se but like the TwoCool 140, its acoustic character is more desirable at higher speeds.

The tested fan was one of two samples. The untested sample sounded marginally worse, imbued with an underlying buzz at high speeds.

Like the 120 mm version, the AF140 Quiet Edition is more proficient at cooling than delivering a nice sound. Fairly good performance was had at every tested speed except 550 RPM.

Scythe Kaze Maru 2 (SM1425SL12HPVC-V)

Scythe’s Slip Stream series has been a favorite of ours since their release. Back in the day, CPU coolers were often bundled with lousy sounding stock fans, but with Scythe you were almost guaranteed a quiet and smooth sounding experience right of the box. As an aftermarket fan, the relative low cost of Slip Streams made them a great alternative to premium models from Noctua and others. The Kaze Maru 2 (aka Slip Stream 140) is available in several speeds but we’re testing the only adjustable speed model.


The biggest selling point of this model is a hardwired variable fan controller designed to be installed in an expansion slot. We no longer have the box on hand but it was a simple clear plastic package with steel screws and a 3-pin to molex adapter with an RPM sensor cable.

The controller can use either voltage or PWM to slow down the fan, though we could not detect any acoustic difference between the two methods. On PWM, the lowest speed was 1,380 RPM, while on VR it went down all the way to 660 RPM.

The 11 blades, circular frame, and curved struts of the first generation Slip Stream has been abandoned for a more conventional design with 9 larger blades and straight struts.

 

Specifications:
Manufacturer Scythe Power Rating 4.2 W
Model Number SM1425SL12HPVC-V Airflow Rating 92.4 CFM
Bearing Type Sleeve Speed Rating 1,700 RPM
Frame Size 140 x 140 x 25 mm (120 mm holes) Noise Rating 36.4 dBA
Hub Size 40 mm Header Type 4-pin PWM with molex adapter
Blade Diameter 128 mm Fan Mounts Screws
Cable Length 60 cm Weight 150 g
Starting Voltage 4.5 ~ 5.0 V Number of Samples 2
Corner Type Open Retail Availability Yes
Extras: 20 cm molex adapter, 30 cm RPM sensor cable, screws.

 


This is the screen capture of Fan Xpert 2’s auto-analysis of the Scythe Kaze Maru 2.

 


Acoustic analysis of the Scythe Kaze Maru 2.

 

SPCR Test Results: Scythe Kaze Maru 2
Fan Speed (RPM)
1900
1500
1100
900
700
SPL (dBA@1m)
36
28~29
19
15
12~13
Thermal Rise (°C)
15
16
18
19
22
Airflow in/out (FPM)
770/1030
470/610

Most fans we encounter don’t adhere to their specified speed, usually varying by 100 RPM in either direction. The Kaze Maru 2 on the other hand was a full 200 RPM faster than specified at its rated speed. At 1,900 and 1,500 RPM, the fan was almost violently turbulent and whiny and when held close to the ear we could also hear an uneven flutter. At 1,100 RPM it emitted a strong buzzing while at 900 RPM, a noticeable hum developed as well. At 700 RPM, the sound was tonal. The smooth nature of the original Slip Stream series seemed far removed from the Kaze Maru 2.

The fan we tested was one of a pair. The second, untested fan had an even rougher
character at low speed. With only two samples, we can’t say with any degree
of certainty which is closer to the norm.

We encountered a slower model from the same family a couple of years ago, paired
with the Grand
Kama Cross
, that wasn’t nearly as bad. It’s entirely possible that only
the speed adjustable variant sounds like this.

Despite being the worst sounding fan in our roundup, it was among the best performing 140 mm fans we’ve tested, delivered strong results in our thermal tests.

MP3 SOUND RECORDINGS

These recordings were made with a high
resolution, lab quality, digital recording system
inside SPCR’s
own 11 dBA ambient anechoic chamber
, then converted to LAME 128kbps
encoded MP3s. We’ve listened long and hard to ensure there is no audible degradation
from the original WAV files to these MP3s. They represent a quick snapshot of
what we heard during the review.

These recordings are intended to give you an idea of how the product sounds
in actual use — one meter is a reasonable typical distance between a computer
or computer component and your ear. The recording contains stretches of ambient
noise that you can use to judge the relative loudness of the subject. Be aware
that very quiet subjects may not be audible — if we couldn’t hear it from
one meter, chances are we couldn’t record it either!

The recording starts with 5 second segments of room ambiance, then the fan
at various levels. For the most realistic results, set the volume so that
the starting ambient level is just barely audible, then don’t change the volume
setting again.

  • Antec TrueQuiet 140
    — 550 RPM (11 dBA@1m)
    — 700 RPM (13~14 dBA@1m)
    — 750 RPM (15 dBA@1m)
  • Antec TwoCool 140
    — 550 RPM (11 dBA@1m)
    — 700 RPM (13 dBA@1m)
    — 900 RPM (18 dBA@1m)
    — 1,100 RPM (22~23 dBA@1m)
  • bequiet! Silent Wings 2
    — 550 RPM (11 dBA@1m)
    — 700 RPM (12 dBA@1m)
    — 900 RPM (15~16 dBA@1m)
    — 950 RPM (17 dBA@1m)

COMPARISONS & FINAL THOUGHTS

The following tables have been assembled indicating the temperature rise each fan produced at noise levels of 22 dBA@1m and below. The fans have been arranged loosely from best to worst from top to bottom.

140 mm Fan Comparison: Thermal Rise (°C) at 1,100 RPM
SPL (dBA @1m)
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
Airflow (FPM)
Scythe Kaze Maru 2
(adjustable model)
18
470/610
Noctua NF-A14 FLX
18
390/520
Noctua NF-A15 PWM
18
410/530
Corsair AF140 Quiet
17
530/660
Antec TwoCool 140
18
470/580
Phanteks PH-F140HP/TS
18
460/640
Xigmatek XAF-F1453
18
490/730
Noctua NF-P14 FLX
19
500/660

The data collected for the 140 mm fans at only the 1,100 RPM level reveals some points of interest.

In terms of cooling performance, it was a tight race with a spread of only
three degrees. Noise levels, on the other hand, varied by a very significant
6 dB. And finally the measured airflow didn’t seem have any direct correlation
to anything (as we are fond of reiterating, to dispell the mainstream myth).
For example, the NF-P14 FLX had a relatively high airflow reading of 500 FPM
in and 660 FPM out but it was last in performance and second last in noise.
Meanwhile, the AF140 Quiet Edition achieved a much better thermal result and
was quieter as well despite having a similar airflow numbers.

Fan Comparison: Thermal Rise (°C)
SPL (dBA @1m)
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
Antec TwoCool 140
19
21
23
Phanteks PH-F140HP/TS
19
22
25
Scythe Kaze Maru 2
(adjustable model)
18
19
22
Noctua NF-A14 FLX
18
20
23
Noctua NF-A15 PWM
18
20
23
Noiseblocker B12-2
20
20
23
28
Corsair AF140 Quiet
17
18
22
25
Noctua NF-P14 FLX
21
23
27
Antec TrueQuiet 140
22
23
26
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120-12
24
27
bequiet! Silent Wings 2 140
20
21
25
29
Noiseblocker M12-S1
25
29
Corsair AF120 Quiet
20
23
26
30
Corsair AF120 Performance
20
23
26
Thermalright TR-TY150
20
23
25
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120-14
19
22
24
27
Xigmatek XAF-F1453
20
22
26
Nexus Real Silent
22
24
26
33
Xigmatek XLF-F1453
19
21
26
Noiseblocker B12-PS
19
21
24
28
30
Corsair SP120 Quiet
21
22
24
29
32
bequiet! Silent Wings 2 120
22
25
27
34
Noiseblocker M12-S2
23
25
29
33
Antec TrueQuiet 120
23
24
26
29
34
Noiseblocker M12-P
22
25
31
GELID Wing 12
22
26
Antec TrueQuiet 120 Pro
23
24
27
30
35
Antec TwoCool 120
22
26
31
34
SilverStone AP123
24
27
31
140+ mm models in yellow, 120 mm models in grey.
Green box indicates a win, blue box indicates second place.

To say that we were surprised that the Antec TwoCool 140 won our performance
test is an understatement of the greatest degree. Considering that the TwoCool
120
came in near the bottom of our last 120 mm fan roundup, the 140’s
excellence seemed to come out of no where. It’s funny to see two fans with such
similar designs ending up at opposite ends of the spectrum. Like its little
brother, the 140 is plagued by clicking at lower speeds, though it doesn’t sound
quite as annoying. Still we wouldn’t describe the noise it makes as pleasant.

The Antec TrueQuiet 140 is also a big improvement over the 120
mm model
, though to a lesser degree. It is no performance king, but
holds its own, giving up only 2~3°C to the TwoCool 140 at equivalent noise
levels. Such a small thermal sacrifice is well worth it for the best sounding
model of this roundup. However, 800 RPM at full speed may seem pointless to
users who aren’t silence-obsessed — there’s little crossover appeal.

The bequiet! Silent Wings 2 140 mm left us with the same general impression as the 120 mm variant. It offers middle-of-the-road cooling proficiency and fairly good acoustics. It doesn’t sound quite as smooth as the TrueQuiet, PH-F140, or NF-P14, but it comes fairly close.

Like its 120 mm brother, the Corsair Air AF140 Quiet Edition is a strong performer but the hum it produces at lower speeds gives it an overall sound that is average at best.

The Scythe Kaze Maru 2 is right up there when it comes to cooling but it is far and away the worst sounding fan in this roundup, with an undesirable buzzing that’s prominent even at low speeds. Based on past experience with this line, it’s quite possible that only the adjustable speed model sounds this way. The fan speed controller is a nice addition but some may find it cumbersome especially if multiple fans are required.

Great thanks to Thermalright
for sponsoring the CPU thermal simulator and the heatsink and fan samples.
Thanks also to the fan sample suppliers: Antec,
bequiet!,
Corsair,
and Scythe.

* * *

SPCR Articles of Related Interest:

First 140 mm Fan Roundup: Noctua, Phanteks, Xigmatek
Fan Roundup #7: Antec, bequiet!, Corsair, GELID, Noiseblocker, SilverStone
Fan Roundup #6: Scythe, Noiseblocker, Antec, Nexus, Thermalright
Fan Test System, SPCR 2010
Fan Test Methodology V.3
Anatomy of the Silent Fan
SPCR’s Recommended Fans

* * *

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this article in the SPCR Forums.

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