Antec P280 top fans problem

[mohorab]

Hi all,

First of all sorry for my english.

I've just made a system based on antec p280 case. The system has:

Intel Core i7 4770 Haswell 3.4ghz (http://ark.intel.com/products/75122/Intel-Core-i7-4770-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-3_90-GHz)
Gigabyte NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti OC WINDFORCE 2X, 2048MB (http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4948#sp)
MB - Gigabyte B85M-HD3 (http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4568#ov)
Antec P280 black towercase
HDD Seagate Barracuda 1TB
Samsung evo 840 SSD, 120GB
PSU: Super Flower Golden Green SF-500P14XE(HX) 500W

The problem is that the 2 top fans are not as quiet as i would like. They make a noise of zzzz...zzz (don't know how to describe it, looks like a HDD noise but i stopped the fans and the noise dissapered) when i keep them on low speed and when i change on high speed they are even louder, but no zzzz noise.

Now i have a few questions and i would like a little help:

1. Is it safe for my system to stop the 2 top fans? The GPU and CPU temperatures measured while playing Diablo 3 ROS are 58-60 celsius degrees for the GPU and 52-55 for the CPU.
2. If i stop the 2 top fans will the life of my components will be affected? Meaning they will probably last longer with a better cooling.
3. Should i replace the 2 top fans? If so what should i use? Also i would like to use the fan hub from the back of case and the new fans be able to operate at low and high speed just like these Antec twocool from the case. I was thinking at SCYTHE SLIP STREAM SY1225SL12L but don't know if i should take one with PWM fan or not. The price range should be something between 10-13$.
4. Should i also take 2 intake fans for the front of the case or it won't be a need?

All the fans are 120x120x25 and i would like to be as quiet as possible.

Thanks.

 

[badboyrog2]

simply replace the fan for the corsair sp120 model ..thats it
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/air-series-sp120-quiet-edition-high-static-pressure-120mm-fan

 

[mohorab]

Don't know if it is a good choice because in the specifications it says a noise of 23 dBA at low speed and also i don't think it is recommended for exhaust. The price it's also a little high for what i need and for the noise i was more thinking at some fans with under 20dBA noise level.

 

[terry4536]

I have that exact case. There is a switch on the back (near the top) that allows you to two speeds. The low speed is nearly inaudible on my case.

The other option is to replace them with quieter fans. This fan would be an excellent choice.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608037

 

[mohorab]

I have that exact case. There is a switch on the back (near the top) that allows you to two speeds. The low speed is nearly inaudible on my case.

The other option is to replace them with quieter fans. This fan would be an excellent choice.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608037

It is on low speed but in a while a strange sound appears, like a zzzz (a hdd working sound, but not form hdd). I suppose it's a resonance sound. Also the noctua is too expensive for what i need, i don't even know if it is ok to stop the 2 top fans and only use the back fan for exhaust and if that will be enough for my configuration.

 

[mickypheonix]

Hi mohorab
for top exhaust you could save purchasing new fans and put in a fan speed reducer 7v or 5v

 

[terry4536]

Yes, you can do that. When the case first came out there was some discussion that a "quiet" case shouldn't have top fan ports. I remember someone saying that they just covered them up.

There are more inexpensive quiet 120mm fans. I prefer the Noctua fans.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007998%20600035565%20600035590%20600035660%20600035659%20600035661&IsNodeId=1&name=15-20%20dBA

Or you can use PWM fans and simply turn down the RPM.

 

[mohorab]

I would like to use some PWM fans but i've got only one controller on the mbo 🙁

Anyway i will try to fins some noise dumpers or something for the fans and if not able i will try to move the 2 top fans in front and leave only the back fan for intake.

What do you think? Good or wrong? I don't know if the back fan will draw air from the top hols and not from inside the case.

 

[terry4536]

Try this splitter for your motherboard fan header.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812718001

 

[mohorab]

Thanks Terry, i will try that too.
Till now i've made some test and:
- stopped the 2 top fans and the temperatures for GPU and CPU are the same. So it is enough the cooling provided by the rear fan
- managed to put some rubber pads to stop the fans to vibrate. It's quite an improvement, but it's not enough, the Antec twocol fans are not as quiet as they should be even with those rubber pads that i've added and even at slow speed.

Right now i let the run at slow speed with the rubber pads and i will try to buy 2 scythe slip stream 1200 rpm and put them on the mbo with a splitter like terry suggested.

Another question: if the fans are not PWM and i'll put them on the motherboard fan header will i be able to control the speed?

 

[terry4536]

Probably it depends upon the motherboard manufacturer. Asus does permit that with their Fab Xpert 2 utility. You can try controlling the RPM Antec Fans. as well.

Another option is to use the Antecs on the internal fan ports.

I use two Noctua PWM fans on the front ports, two Scythe PWM fans on the internal fans, and the original Antecs on the top and rear. I have a Noctua NH-D14 with two Noctua 140 mm fans and one Scythe 120mm fan. All (except the Antecs) are controlled by a Asus ROG Maximus V Formula motherboard.

Incidentally, each Noctua fan comes with a "Y" splitter, a ULN low speed adapter, and both screws and rubber mounts.