Best Case Fan Under $5?

[Scoutdrago3]

I understand $5 dollars is a small number, so I can go up to $10 if its absolutely necessary to get a fan thats at least OK or maybe good.

Also I am do a Black and Red themed build, and the fan doesn't need to have red LEDs(I actually prefer it doesn't) but I want the fan black or black/red and maybe a subtle shade of red.

Thanks,
Scoutdrago3

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007998%204024&IsNodeId=1&name=%240%20-%20%2410

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I bought my 10 extra Phanteks fans for $10 each on newegg and but that is on special that comes up every few weeks....usually $15. They have the highest performance / noise ratio I have found to date .... fans are quiet up to about 850 rpm ..... keep that in mind when ya see 2600 rpm models ... I use 1200 rpm for cases and run them from 325 - 850 under MoBo control.

LED ones are only $16 at frozencpu.com but no reds in stock (blue, orange , white, red available on newegg)

Look here from some of the better performance / noise ratio fans and seeif ya can find one of em on SR's link

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1345-page7.html

 

[Scoutdrago3]

@SR71 Blackbird: My question also revolves around quality, so just adding a filter for price will not solve my problem. Thanks for reply(quickly) anyway

@JackNaylorPE: 16 is a bit too much since i'm planning on buy 4-5 and $64-$80 investment is not really worth the small amount of real world difference the fans will make(not saying the fans wont make a difference, just the difference isn't worth the money).

I think my question would be more easily answered if I asked "What are the top 3 case fan brands?"

 

[JackNaylorPE]

yes, wasn't suggesting you spring for $16 .... you said LED wasn't necessary and you would go for $10.... I got 5 of the fans with the case and bought 10 more for $100. That is literally the best fan available and it's within the realm of 2 of ya 3 criteria .... it's not black / red .... unfortunately it's black white, but's the best i could do with

The problem is quality costs money so cheap and quality are oft mutually exclusive. Rather than Top 3 Brands is not going to be an answer, because as with every PC component .... most vendors who sell the best stuff also sell some pretty crappy stuff.

These rock .... bit $14 🙁

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835214001

Can't say these excite me from a performance standpoint but they within ya color / price criteria.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835214030

EDIT: Forgot about these as I haven't used in a while .... nice performance /noise low price

http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l3/g/c15/s775/list/p1/b119/Yate_Loon-12_Volt_Fans-140mm_x_25mm_Fans-Page1.html

http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l3/g/c15/s60/list/p1/b119/Yate_Loon-12_Volt_Fans-120mm_x_25mm_Fans-Page1.html

http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l3/g/c331/s518/list/p1/b119/Yate_Loon-12_Volt_Fans_-_LED_UV-120mm_x_25mm_LED_Fans-Page1.html

 

[Scoutdrago3]

yes, wasn't suggesting you spring for $16 .... you said LED wasn't necessary and you would go for $10.... I got 5 of the fans with the case and bought 10 more for $100. That is literally the best fan available and it's within the realm of 2 of ya 3 criteria .... it's not black / red .... unfortunately it's black white, but's the best i could do with

The problem is quality costs money so cheap and quality are oft mutually exclusive. Rather than Top 3 Brands is not going to be an answer, because as with every PC component .... most vendors who sell the best stuff also sell some pretty crappy stuff.

These rock .... bit $14 🙁

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835214001

Can't say these excite me from a performance standpoint but they within ya color / price criteria.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835214030

I appreciate the help a lot, and I will probably go with the second link 😉

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Enjoy !

 

[Karadjgne]

Personally, I'd rather buy 3 'good' case fans for $15 ea. than 5 'not-so-good' for $10 ea. With cheaper fans you usually sacrifice on thongs like bearings, cfm, noise, which will sooner than later call for replacement.

Case Fan: SilenX EFX-12-15 74.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Cougar Vortex PWM 70.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Xigmatek XAF-F1255 90.3 CFM 120mm Fan ($15.99 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: BitFenix BFF-SPRO-12025KK-RP 56.2 CFM 120mm Fan ($9.61 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-S12B redux-1200 PWM 59.1 CFM 120mm Fan ($16.99 @ NCIX US)

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I heartedly agree with the concept but generaly stick to the top of the charts at SPCR or MLL

SPCR's top 10 based upon Performance / Noise Ratio.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1345-page7.html

Phanteks PH-F140HP/TS
Noctua NF-A14 FLX
Noctua NF-A15 PWM
Noiseblocker B12-2
Noctua NF-P14 FLX
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120-12
Noiseblocker M12-S1
Corsair AF120 Quiet
Corsair AF120 Performance
Thermalright TR-TY150

A later review added the Antec but it had a ticking sound which kills it for me.

I'm anxious to see Noiseblockers new E-Loop 140mm line

I also agree, one should never sacrifice on thongs :0

MartinsLiquidLab List
http://martinsliquidlab.org/2010/11/04/120mm-fan-testing-on-an-mcr120-radiator-round-6-summary/

Too bad martin retired....there's a few updates to that list but nothing for new fans in last 2 years or so.