The french website Hardware.fr published a review of the 2 "quiet edition" AF120 and SP120, here : http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=fr&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.fr&sl=auto&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://www.hardware.fr/articles/874-12/corsair-af120-corsair-sp120-a1225m...

RPM were mesures with a Zalman ZM-MFC3 rheobus, and since other fans were tested till very low speed...

I think there is a "problem" with the speed sensor, B12-2 was still spinning till 4V, but it wasn't possible to get a speed return from the fan.

This has been published today : http://www.hardware.fr/articles/874-19/ ... -test.html

In french sadly.

I tried the AF120 low speed. Quite good in my opinion, but I prefer the noise of the Nexus for example. Regarding the t°, I didn't see any difference between Nexus basic and AF120 (regulated with rheobus at similar noise level, "my personal confort zone")

You can try to explain the problem to Nexus directly, mabe they'll be able to get you a non-buzzing fan ?
My 92mm PWM Nexus doesn't buzz, even if it can be far from quiet (2800 rpm )

Of course they are !
Look at SPCR recommended fans...

Nexus 120mm PWM is not really intended for SPCR users, I think

http://www.hardware.fr/articles/867-14/ ... -test.html

According to my limited experience (3 Nexus, 1 Slipstream 500rpm, 1 Slipstream 1200rpm), the Nexus lasts longer... in fact I think maybe my Slipstream's oil tanks were not full when I bought them ? Anyway, they both quickly started to make more noise (I'd say after ~6 months), like a bearing/ticking...

Nothing wrong with MTBF, bur real lifetime of Slipstream is way shorter than that, plus I oiled them 2 or 3 times a year.

Cougar Vortex PWM was reviewed here : http://www.hardware.fr/articles/867-10/ ... -test.html
(in french)

They lowered it's speed to 755 rpm in PWM mode, or 390 rpm @5V.

What are you using to undervolt your fans ?

The NF-F12 is optimized for PWM use. Deployed as a PWM fan it is somewhat quieter than when it is used under voltage control. Even under voltage control, which is not optimal, most reviewers say it is fine under about 1100 rpm. How are you using your NF-F12? I've tested under voltage control and un...

If they are still under warranty (and since they are warrantied 6 years, they should !), Noctua will replace them without problem

I will avoid the NF-F12 PWM unless you plan to use it on a thick radiator..its noise is not really "musical"...overdesigned maybe ?

I think Nanoxia FX Evo 1000rpm PWM http://www.nanoxia-world.com/luefter/fx ... 00rpm.html
since it runs @ 1000rpm only... otherwise you can try Noiseblocker PL-PS or M12-PS, or be quiet! Shadow Wings PWM.

Noctua NA-RC6...

It is somewhat "strange" such a fan does not lowers its speed under ~950rpm :/

avoid the NF-F12 PWM, it is almost unable to be silent... That is disappointing to hear. What is the source of your info? Well...get one, and you'll see by yourself :wink: By silent, I mean not discernable without a hard drive spinning...if you have a hard drive (or many), for sure the NF-F12 PWM c...

Sure the NF-F12 is more efficient...but the NF-P12 is not ridiculous, and the NF-F12 is way louder at the same rpm. Though even on a MegaShadow, I still think the NF-P12 PWM, or the Noiseblocker PL-PS are better choices

Nope, avoid the NF-F12 PWM, it is almost unable to be silent... if you like to stay with Noctua, prefer the NF-P12 PWM at least...

You can also check Noiseblocker PL-PS or M12-PS, new revisions are ok in horizontal position and thay are really good fans. Maybe prefer the PL-PS for radiator use ?

Please excuse my english, as I have some difficulties to explain clearly what I meant. I meant that I think there is now better fans than this Noctua, I have compared all the fans mentionned (and some others), but, I reckon, only one sample of each. As I said, I was quite amazed by the BeQuiet Silen...

The NF-R8 is "quite old" now, and for its price, there are better fans, such as BeQuiet, NB, etc...
For me the NF-R8 is a "golden oldie"... golden, but in my opinion overtaken by newer fans.

Forget Noctua, you can consider BeQuiet. In my opinion the Silentwings (now Silentwings "2") is the better 80mm fan I've ever had. Noiseblocker are good too, and Coolink not too bad !

These are 56 Ohms

Hi,
If the "resistors" are real resistors, than you can use U = RxI to determine what voltage will be applied...but if you don't have the resisotrs value (it is often around 56 Ohms), that won't help

Hardware.fr will release fan roundups soon I think

I doubt Nexus will be more silent than M12-S2 at similar speed, those two fans are damn good. I suspect a fan with lower static pressure may help, perhaps a Scythe Slipstream ?

You can try to cut the grills

Hi, I am using Noiseblocker XM1 and XM2 in my 5,25" external enclosures, they work fine, and quite silently, but they are 10mm thick, and 3 pins too. (If it is a server with many hard drive, I think they may be used @12V directly without too much noise) If you need thicker fan, I think there's a Scy...

Yate-loon for price and good noise/performance ratio, otherwise GT.

Cougar are "good" too, but not worth it over GT I think.

Sure...but at 300rpm this Noctua is noisier (not really noisier, but the small ticking are annoying !) than a Nexus @500rpm, or a Noiseblocker XL1 at the same speed, so... There is also the Sharkoon silent eagle SE (or the Zaward Golf fan 2 that is quite similar) that are PWM and able to run @300rpm...