- Joined
- Nov 14, 2006
- Location
- Warsaw/Poland
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro — website — manual (page 6 for exploded view)
Fan slots:
Front: 1 x 200mm / 2 x 140mm / 2 x 120mm (through dust filter and dense metal mesh)
Rear: 1 x 140mm / 1 x 120mm (no filter, sparse mesh)
Top: 1 x 200mm / 3 x 140mm / 3 x 120mm (filter, dense mesh)
Bottom: 1 x 200mm / 3 x 140mm / 3 x 120mm (filter, dense mesh)
Fans included:
PH-F200SP (200mm front intake)
Speed (rpm) 850 ±250 rpm
Max Airflow 110.1 CFM
Static Pressure 1.04mm H2O
Acoustical Noise 25dB
PH-F140SP (140mm rear exhaust)
Speed (rpm) 1200 ± 250 rpm
Max Airflow 82.1 CFM
Static Pressure 1.33mm H2O
Acoustical Noise 19 dB
Here's what I'd take:
Front intake — 2 x 140 mm — BeQuiet Silent Wings 3 140mm (2x) for front intake due to high static pressure, but NF-A14 FLX could be a better puller-through-filter
Rear exhaust — 1 x 140 mm — Fractal Design Venturi HF-14 (FD-FAN-VENT-HF14 -BK) — I've heard from a guy who claims he got better exhaust from these than from SW3, while SW3 were better for intake, so he seems fair/reasonable — will consider NoiseBlocker eLoop and Prolimatech Blue Vortex, and my current Phanteks F140SP could in fact be one of the best choices
Top — 1 x 200 mm — current Phanteks F200SP, just need some rubber with it; otherwise I'll be waiting for a good promo to get 3x140 (won't really matter if their performance isn't top-notch, as long as they sit quietly and do some work)
Bottom — 1 x 140 mm — current Phanteks F140SP if replaced as rear exhaust, otherwise probably SW3
CPU cooler: Thermalright Ultra 120 — I'm not even sure this needs two fans, especially given how the exit fan would end like 10 cm before rear exhaust. How about 120mm SW3 entry (alternatively Nidec Gentle Typhoon (strong), San Ace Silent M PWM (strong), Arctic F12 (quiet)) and… what for exit? Arctic F12, or Scythe SlipStream 120, Prolimatech Blue Vortex, or is there something new better? OR just two NF-A12 / two SW3 / two Pure Wings 2?
I'm also looking at Noctua NF-A14 FLX as an allegedly great all-rounded and its ULN version as something that delivers average performance with complete silence.
These are all expensive fans. I can live with it, though of course I would prefer to avoid overinvesting in diminished returns. The no. 1 priority here is to avoid vibration, bearing sounds, whine, electric noise etc. at all costs, even if this means paying like $40 per fan or even picking fixed rpm to avoid PWM. However, I'd rather not overinvest in diminished returns. As long as the fan avoids vibrations, bearing whine, electric noise etc. and has decent performance just below the audible threshold, I don't necessarily want to pay 100% extra for a small performance gain. But I'd rather pay to be sure than skimp and take risks.
I can Google manufacturers' sites, of course, and tests and reviews, but I can't always wrap my mind around the numbers and lack practical experience with Noiseblocker, Noctua and most other modern brands and makes. I don't know useful tidbits like comparing PWM to non-PWM versions for noise at comparable rpm values, or the nature of the blade and bearing sound, or how well the advertised vibration protection or customized bearing works in real life, or how each manufacturer measures the dbA output (making comparisons of rated specs worthless, as the measurements are probably over different distances and ambients).
======
REFERENCE — MANUFACTURER LINKS:
Noctua — full lineup: https://noctua.at/en/products/fan
Noiseblocker:
Eloop 120mm: https://www.blacknoise.com/site/en/...fans/nb-eloop-series/120x120x25mm.php?lang=EN
Eloop 140mm: https://www.blacknoise.com/site/en/products/noiseblocker-it-fans/nb-eloop-series/140x140x29mm.php
SilentPro 120mm: https://www.blacknoise.com/site/en/...ns/nb-blacksilent-pro-series/120x120x25mm.php
SilentPro 140mm: https://www.blacknoise.com/site/en/...ns/nb-blacksilent-pro-series/140x140x25mm.php
Multiframe 120mm: https://www.blacknoise.com/site/en/...it-fans/nb-multiframe-series/120x120x25mm.php
(eLoop seems to have strange noise issues when pulling)
BeQuiet:
Silent Wings 3
Pure Wings 2
Shadow Wings
I strongly suspect that Silent Wings have all the plus sides of Pure Wings and Shadow Wings but simply cost more, making them a 'pay and forget' option, which would be fine by me. The superior quality build makes them look particularly promising. On the other hand, Pure Wings seem to be almost just as good at half the price, and well liked by their users.
Cooltek CT-Silent Fan, BitFenix Spectre Pro, Cougar Vortex, Arctic Arctic F14 PWM PST CO Lüfter — look good on paper, seem popular
Finally, Phanteks's 140HP and ST lines are supposed to be good. But I'd try something else.
Tests:
https://www.overclockers.com/pwm-fan-roundup-twenty-four-120-mm-case-fans-tested/
https://www.overclockers.com/15-case-fans-tested-ultimate-140-mm-roundup/
Fan slots:
Front: 1 x 200mm / 2 x 140mm / 2 x 120mm (through dust filter and dense metal mesh)
Rear: 1 x 140mm / 1 x 120mm (no filter, sparse mesh)
Top: 1 x 200mm / 3 x 140mm / 3 x 120mm (filter, dense mesh)
Bottom: 1 x 200mm / 3 x 140mm / 3 x 120mm (filter, dense mesh)
Fans included:
PH-F200SP (200mm front intake)
Speed (rpm) 850 ±250 rpm
Max Airflow 110.1 CFM
Static Pressure 1.04mm H2O
Acoustical Noise 25dB
PH-F140SP (140mm rear exhaust)
Speed (rpm) 1200 ± 250 rpm
Max Airflow 82.1 CFM
Static Pressure 1.33mm H2O
Acoustical Noise 19 dB
Here's what I'd take:
Front intake — 2 x 140 mm — BeQuiet Silent Wings 3 140mm (2x) for front intake due to high static pressure, but NF-A14 FLX could be a better puller-through-filter
Rear exhaust — 1 x 140 mm — Fractal Design Venturi HF-14 (FD-FAN-VENT-HF14 -BK) — I've heard from a guy who claims he got better exhaust from these than from SW3, while SW3 were better for intake, so he seems fair/reasonable — will consider NoiseBlocker eLoop and Prolimatech Blue Vortex, and my current Phanteks F140SP could in fact be one of the best choices
Top — 1 x 200 mm — current Phanteks F200SP, just need some rubber with it; otherwise I'll be waiting for a good promo to get 3x140 (won't really matter if their performance isn't top-notch, as long as they sit quietly and do some work)
Bottom — 1 x 140 mm — current Phanteks F140SP if replaced as rear exhaust, otherwise probably SW3
CPU cooler: Thermalright Ultra 120 — I'm not even sure this needs two fans, especially given how the exit fan would end like 10 cm before rear exhaust. How about 120mm SW3 entry (alternatively Nidec Gentle Typhoon (strong), San Ace Silent M PWM (strong), Arctic F12 (quiet)) and… what for exit? Arctic F12, or Scythe SlipStream 120, Prolimatech Blue Vortex, or is there something new better? OR just two NF-A12 / two SW3 / two Pure Wings 2?
I'm also looking at Noctua NF-A14 FLX as an allegedly great all-rounded and its ULN version as something that delivers average performance with complete silence.
These are all expensive fans. I can live with it, though of course I would prefer to avoid overinvesting in diminished returns. The no. 1 priority here is to avoid vibration, bearing sounds, whine, electric noise etc. at all costs, even if this means paying like $40 per fan or even picking fixed rpm to avoid PWM. However, I'd rather not overinvest in diminished returns. As long as the fan avoids vibrations, bearing whine, electric noise etc. and has decent performance just below the audible threshold, I don't necessarily want to pay 100% extra for a small performance gain. But I'd rather pay to be sure than skimp and take risks.
I can Google manufacturers' sites, of course, and tests and reviews, but I can't always wrap my mind around the numbers and lack practical experience with Noiseblocker, Noctua and most other modern brands and makes. I don't know useful tidbits like comparing PWM to non-PWM versions for noise at comparable rpm values, or the nature of the blade and bearing sound, or how well the advertised vibration protection or customized bearing works in real life, or how each manufacturer measures the dbA output (making comparisons of rated specs worthless, as the measurements are probably over different distances and ambients).
======
REFERENCE — MANUFACTURER LINKS:
Noctua — full lineup: https://noctua.at/en/products/fan
Noiseblocker:
Eloop 120mm: https://www.blacknoise.com/site/en/...fans/nb-eloop-series/120x120x25mm.php?lang=EN
Eloop 140mm: https://www.blacknoise.com/site/en/products/noiseblocker-it-fans/nb-eloop-series/140x140x29mm.php
SilentPro 120mm: https://www.blacknoise.com/site/en/...ns/nb-blacksilent-pro-series/120x120x25mm.php
SilentPro 140mm: https://www.blacknoise.com/site/en/...ns/nb-blacksilent-pro-series/140x140x25mm.php
Multiframe 120mm: https://www.blacknoise.com/site/en/...it-fans/nb-multiframe-series/120x120x25mm.php
(eLoop seems to have strange noise issues when pulling)
BeQuiet:
Silent Wings 3
Pure Wings 2
Shadow Wings
I strongly suspect that Silent Wings have all the plus sides of Pure Wings and Shadow Wings but simply cost more, making them a 'pay and forget' option, which would be fine by me. The superior quality build makes them look particularly promising. On the other hand, Pure Wings seem to be almost just as good at half the price, and well liked by their users.
Cooltek CT-Silent Fan, BitFenix Spectre Pro, Cougar Vortex, Arctic Arctic F14 PWM PST CO Lüfter — look good on paper, seem popular
Finally, Phanteks's 140HP and ST lines are supposed to be good. But I'd try something else.
Tests:
https://www.overclockers.com/pwm-fan-roundup-twenty-four-120-mm-case-fans-tested/
https://www.overclockers.com/15-case-fans-tested-ultimate-140-mm-roundup/
Last edited: