Which Case Fan To Get?

[Nick921]

So right now i have 2 case fans 1 intake and 1 outtake. I am planning on adding another intake. Which Fan should i get?

Cosair SP120

Noctua F12

Gentle Typhoons

These are the 3 that are recommended to me.

PS: My Mobo only has 2 Fan headers and will also need an spliter.

 

[BigBoomBoom]

Corsair SP is for radiator or obstructed case fan. Is there something obstructing your case fan placement? If not get Corsair AF.

Alternatively you can get Corsair ML which is better but pricier.

 

[Nick921]

Corsair SP is for radiator or obstructed case fan. Is there something obstructing your case fan placement? If not get Corsair AF.

Alternatively you can get Corsair ML which is better but pricier.

I have a dust filter in the front, my case is the Fractal Design Define C

 

[the nerd 389]

The dust filter isn't restrictive enough to warrant the SP120s. Plus, the SP120s make an obnoxious whine. I got some a few years back, and they ended up in a closet because of the noise. They're now relegated to last-ditch emergency backup duty. I wouldn't put them in a computer in any other situation.

The best 120s are the MLs, but be warned that many motherboards have false 4-pin headers that will damage the magnetic bearings.

As an all-rounder, the Noctuas are the safer bet. The GTs don't have as nice a bearing in them, and won't last as long.

That said, the fan I'd get is the be quiet! Silent Wings 3. They're louder than the ML120s, but they're less of a pain to make sure they'll work with your build.

UPDATE: If you're looking at 140s, don't even consider the ML140s. They don't come close to the ML120s in terms of noise at a given flow rate. The Noctua 140s are just as good as the ML140s, and the Silent Wings 3 140s are much better.

 

[Nick921]

The dust filter isn't restrictive enough to warrant the SP120s. Plus, the SP120s make an obnoxious whine. I got some a few years back, and they ended up in a closet because of the noise. They're now relegated to last-ditch emergency backup duty. I wouldn't put them in a computer in any other situation.

The best 120s are the MLs, but be warned that many motherboards have false 4-pin headers that will damage the magnetic bearings.

As an all-rounder, the Noctuas are the safer bet. The GTs don't have as nice a bearing in them, and won't last as long.

That said, the fan I'd get is the be quiet! Silent Wings 3. They're louder than the ML120s, but they're less of a pain to make sure they'll work with your build.

UPDATE: If you're looking at 140s, don't even consider the ML140s. They don't come close to the ML120s in terms of noise at a given flow rate. The Noctua 140s are just as good as the ML140s, and the Silent Wings 3 140s are much better.

so you recommend the be quiet! Silent Wings 3?

 

[the nerd 389]

If it were my money, those are what I would get, yes.

I should mention that I value a quiet machine over sheer cooling capacity. If you want to push an i7-6850k to 4.5 GHz, I have very different recommendations.

 

[Nick921]

If it were my money, those are what I would get, yes.

I should mention that I value a quiet machine over sheer cooling capacity. If you want to push an i7-6850k to 4.5 GHz, I have very different recommendations.

here is my build https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mZkzxY

 

[the nerd 389]

Since you don't have a large aftermarket cooler in that build, I'll assume you're not trying to get a crazy overclock out of it.

Your motherboard does support the ML series fans. If you want to get a 120mm, that's the best you can get. It's the one I'd recommend for the exhaust if you're going for overkill ventilation OR a quiet build. It does both jobs better than practically any other fan out there.

Your case supports 140mm intake fans, though. As such, the fans I'd put in it (for the intake) are the 140mm Silent Wings 3 if you're going for a quiet machine with above-average ventilation.

If you want a fan that can move ludicrous amounts of air, but can still slow down to pleasantly quiet levels, consider the NF-A14 iPPC 3000.

Since you mentioned that you'll need a splitter, here's one that will get the job done:
https://www.amazon.com/PWM-Y-Splitter-Cable-Adapter/dp/B002OFP6QW/

UPDATE: I know that's not the most direct answer, but the fact is that there are lots of really good fans out there. The best one for the job depends on what you want to get out of it.

 

[Nick921]

Since you don't have a large aftermarket cooler in that build, I'll assume you're not trying to get a crazy overclock out of it.

Your motherboard does support the ML series fans. If you want to get a 120mm, that's the best you can get. It's the one I'd recommend for the exhaust if you're going for overkill ventilation OR a quiet build. It does both jobs better than practically any other fan out there.

Your case supports 140mm intake fans, though. As such, the fans I'd put in it (for the intake) are the 140mm Silent Wings 3 if you're going for a quiet machine with above-average ventilation.

If you want a fan that can move ludicrous amounts of air, but can still slow down to pleasantly quiet levels, consider the NF-A14 iPPC 3000.

Since you mentioned that you'll need a splitter, here's one that will get the job done:
https://www.amazon.com/PWM-Y-Splitter-Cable-Adapter/dp/B002OFP6QW/

would it be wise for me to get one NF-A14 and pair it with the stock case fans? so 2 Intake and 1 Exhaust? i also looked at the AF120 are they any good?

 

[the nerd 389]

The AF120s have the same issue with screeching at high speeds and whining at low speeds as the SP120s. Avoid non-ML Corsair fans. There are vastly superior options available, many at a lower price.

Regarding the wisdom of putting the iPPC fan in a build with the Fractal fans, it wouldn't cause any particular issues. You'd just get a ton more airflow out of that fan than any of the others. As an intake, this really isn't a problem, though.

If you're considering the non-iPPC NF-A14, the Silent Wings 3 give roughly the same airflow with less noise at roughly the same price.

 

[Nick921]

The AF120s have the same issue with screeching at high speeds and whining at low speeds as the SP120s. Avoid non-ML Corsair fans. There are vastly superior options available, many at a lower price.

Regarding the wisdom of putting the iPPC fan in a build with the Fractal fans, it wouldn't cause any particular issues. You'd just get a ton more airflow out of that fan than any of the others. As an intake, this really isn't a problem, though.

If you're considering the non-iPPC NF-A14, the Silent Wings 3 give roughly the same airflow with less noise at roughly the same price.

i would get the Silent Wing 3 but availability isn't so great here in Canada

 

[the nerd 389]

What about the NB-eLoop B14-PS? Although expensive, it does outperform every other fan mentioned here.

Otherwise, the Noctua NF-A14 is your best bet. I recommend the iPPC 3000, as despite the official spec sheet, it spins down to the same 340 RPM as the non-iPPC model. It just has a lot more headroom in terms of max speed. On a budget, the only thing the non-iPPC model gives up is that headroom.

 

[Nick921]

What about the NB-eLoop B14-PS? Although expensive, it does outperform every other fan mentioned here.

Otherwise, the Noctua NF-A14 is your best bet. I recommend the iPPC 3000, as despite the official spec sheet, it spins down to the same 340 RPM as the non-iPPC model. It just has a lot more headroom in terms of max speed. On a budget, the only thing the non-iPPC model gives up is that headroom.

ill consider the NF-A14... why are fans so expensive...

 

[Nick921]

What about the NB-eLoop B14-PS? Although expensive, it does outperform every other fan mentioned here.

Otherwise, the Noctua NF-A14 is your best bet. I recommend the iPPC 3000, as despite the official spec sheet, it spins down to the same 340 RPM as the non-iPPC model. It just has a lot more headroom in terms of max speed. On a budget, the only thing the non-iPPC model gives up is that headroom.

if i do get the A14 should i remove the stock intake fan? but in all fairness if my CPU temp is 24 C and 55 C while playing wildlands and my gpu stays around a 34 C idle and 65 C underload do i really need another fan? i can always get a cheaper $11 Fractal Design Case Fan

 

[the nerd 389]

You do not need another fan for cooling with those temps.

The only reason to get a fan, Fractal or Noctua, is for lower noise. With regards to noise on that case, the dominating factor is either:
A) the GPU,
B) the rear fan if it's not under a desk, or
C) the front fan if it is under a desk.

With regards to noise, you're better off with just the Noctua as an intake if it's under a desk. If it's not under a desk, the Corsair ML120 on the exhaust would offer the biggest improvement. I wouldn't get the Fractal fan, personally. They aren't bad for what they are, but you wouldn't see any improvement from getting another one.

 

[Nick921]

You do not need another fan for cooling with those temps.

The only reason to get a fan, Fractal or Noctua, is for lower noise. With regards to noise on that case, the dominating factor is either:
A) the GPU,
B) the rear fan if it's not under a desk, or
C) the front fan if it is under a desk.

With regards to noise, you're better off with just the Noctua as an intake if it's under a desk. If it's not under a desk, the Corsair ML120 on the exhaust would offer the biggest improvement. I wouldn't get the Fractal fan, personally. They aren't bad for what they are, but you wouldn't see any improvement from getting another one.

My computer is under a desk but you may be right many people told me with the temps i have i don't really need a fan unless i decide to overclock then i need a few more fans. Thanks for the help ill keep your suggestions in mind for the future!