Is it worth changing original fans of Thermaltake Armor Jr?

javitxi · Post by **javitxi** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:17 pm

Hi!

Yesterday I was thinking about the noise of my Pc and how I can reduce it because there is a problem with the power supply that I've commented in this post (thanks if anyone could reply

)

Mainly my computer consist on:

Case: Thermaltake Armor Jr (the silver one)
Power suply: Tacens Supero 600W
Motherboard: Asus P5Q-E
Chip: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 (Wolfdale)
RAM: GeIL Kit DIMM 4 GB DDR2-800 (raptor)
Graphic Card: Asus EAH4850/HTDI

I don't really care of the noise of the HDs, DvD and DvD-RW.

So, I've read the characteristicsof the fans (Notice that the intake of air volume is not provided):

- Front (intake) : 120 x 120 x 25 mm blue LED fan, 1300 rpm, 17 dBA
- Rear (exhaust) : 120 x 120 x 25 mm, 1300 rpm, 17 dBA

and because the power of the fans consists of 5 pins I couldn't regulate them via the software of the motherboard Asus P5Q-E (3 pins). So, I've few questions:

- Do you know how much airflow those fans can provide?
- Is it worth changing them for another fans? Which would you recommend me?
- In case changing the fans, I've seen these ones:

Tacens Ventus 12cm
Noctua NF-S12-1200
Noctua NF-S12-800

Which would you recommend me?

Thanks for your replies

Javier

Redzo · Post by **Redzo** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 7:48 pm

To begin with, those numbers (17db) are bu#*Â¤hit.
If they were 17db you would not hear them over the noise of your system (HD, Vid Card and so on) so it is worth changing those fans. If you can get Scythe SlipStreams go with them (1200 rpm version).
If not go with Noctua 1200 rpm. Both Noctua and Slipstreams are 3 pin fans that will work with your motherboard and you can also use SpeedFan to slow them down if you find them too loud.

javitxi · Post by **javitxi** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:40 am

Thanks for your reply. Well, let's see the technical specs:

Scythe "SLIP STREAM" 120mm Case Fan

Scythe "S-FLEXâ„¢" S-FDB 120mm Quiet FAN

Tacens Ventus 12cm

Noctua NF-S12-1200

The Noctua has Airflow 81 mÂ³/h

CFM = Cubic Feet per Minute = feet^3/minute

1 meter = 3.2808399 feet

1 meter^3/hour = 0.5885778 feet^3/minute

81 mÂ³/h = 47.6748018 CFM = 47.67 CFM

So, we have

Scythe "SLIP STREAM" 1,200 rpm 24 dBA 68.54 CFM DC 12V 0.26 A (3.12 Watts)

Scythe "S-FLEXâ„¢" 1,200 rpm 20.1 dBA 49.00 CFM DC ??V 0.15 A (?? x 0.15 Watts)

Tacens ventus 1,200 rpm 12 dBA 50.00 CFM DC 12V 0.2 A (2.4 Watts)

Noctua NF-S12-1200 1,200 rpm 17 dBA 47.67 CFM DC 13V 0.12 A (1.56 Watts)

And now, it comes some questions:

About the Scythe S-FLEX and the Tacens one, am I able to regulate anyone of them?

About the Tacens, are those 12dBA a real measurement?

Which on is better: S-FLEX or SLIP-STREAM at the same CFM?

Thanks for your replies

Javier

thejamppa · Post by **thejamppa** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 2:00 am

Slipstream are good and SPCR tested and tested to be good. Noctua's are silent but they push so little air with so little air pressure.

Slipstream are better Noctua's and cheaper.

What comes Tacens rate 12 dB/A: Do not believe marketing hype. They're bullshit. This is good comnparision: 1000 RPM fan is rated arouns 19 - 23 dB/A then its good and quite truthful (and hope there isn't bearing growl and extra motor noise etc) . If 1700 RPM fan is rated 19 dB/A that is bullshit (*cough*Thermaltake*cough*).

You can get around 15 dB/A range in <600 RPM fans... So 1000 RPM @ 12 dB/A is bull I think. If its good, then its near 21-23 d/BA or so....

And all three pin fans can be adjust or monitor with proper hardware and software of course.

javitxi · Post by **javitxi** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:32 am

Thanks for your reply thejamppa

So, I think I'll buy x2 Scythe Slip Stream @1200rpm 12cm and then make several trials with voltage, airflow and noise (because I have nothing to measure the dB)

Do you know a good on-line shop that provides those fans to Spain (or Worldwide) and accept paypal? In case we don't find anyone, would be a good idea to have instead of Slip Stream ones, the S-Flex ones (which I have located on a shop)?

And another little detail, will it be worth buying some Anti-vibration Fan Gaskets?

Thanks for your replies

Javier

maf718 · Post by **maf718** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:19 pm

javitxi wrote:In case we don't find anyone, would be a good idea to have instead of Slip Stream ones, the S-Flex ones (which I have located on a shop)?

And another little detail, will it be worth buying some Anti-vibration Fan Gaskets?

The S-Flex fans are also very good. I use Slip Stream in my system but would have no problem using S-Flex if Slip Stream were not available. Slip Stream are widely available in EU so I guess there must be someone in Spain that sells them?

Instead of those fan gaskets I prefer these. If your case vibrates easily they can be a big help.