fans

[hoytron]

Are sleeve bearing fans any quieter than ball bearing fans? If so, do they offer similar performance?

 

[Koooler King]

Sleeve bearing fans are generally cheaper, but have little or no difference in noise. 99% of high performance fan noise is generated by the fan blade rotation and air rush it produces. The better fans use ball bearings and have longer life. I have had sleeve bearing type fans sieze and / or fail, but never had that trouble with ball bearing fans. In theory, a ball bearing fan is slightly noisier, but it tends to quiet a bit as it breaks in. On the other hand, a sleeve bearing can be quiet, but won't give you much warning should it start to stick or fail.

Bottom line ... go with a ball bearing fan! Good luck.

Koooler King

 

[ButcherUK]

Sleeve bearing are slightly quieter and stay the same noise for life but tend to fail suddenly. Ball bearing start a bit noisier and get noiser as they get older but you can tell when they are going to go by the metal grinding rattle.