H440 Stock fan replacements

[TheDualshock]

Hey guys, here with another question for you all. At the moment, I find that my case fans are rather loud so I've been wanting to switch them out for something quieter/just as good or better performance wise. I've narrowed my choice down to 2 choices.

The Noctua NF-F12s PWM :
http/www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608026&cm_re=noctua_nf_f12-_-35-608-026-_-Product

Or the Noctua NF-P12s :
http/www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608004&cm_re=noctua_p12-_-35-608-004-_-Product

Now I've seen that on Noctua's website:
http/www.noctua.at/main.php?show=which_fan_is_right_for_me&lng=en

The NF-P12s would be the best choice as they are designed for 'high impedance' airflow scenarios like the front intake for the H440 which only has a side grill intake. Anybody's input would be appreciated and don't be afraid to suggest something else. I've thought about the Dark Wings/Silent Wings from BeQuiet but not sure about their performance/silence.

Edit: Seems like I posted in the wrong forum and not sure how to move it, sorry about that.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The secret to a quiet build is"

1. More fan at lower rpm than less fans at higher rpm
2. larger fans move more air at lower rpm.

For 'the skinny" on silent PC's, visit silentpcreview.com

http/www.silentpcreview.com/article1345-page7.html

Here's SPCR's "Top Twenty" based upon performance / noise ratio

1 Phanteks PH-F140HP/TS
2 Noctua NF-A14 FLX
3 Noctua NF-A15 PWM
4 Noiseblocker B12-2
5 Noctua NF-P14 FLX
6 Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120-12
7 Noiseblocker M12-S1
8 Corsair AF120 Quiet
9 Corsair AF120 Performance
10 Thermalright TR-TY150
11 Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120-14
12 Xigmatek XAF-F1453
13 Nexus Real Silent
14 Xigmatek XLF-F1453
15 Noiseblocker B12-PS
16 Corsair SP120 Quiet
17 be quiet! Silent Wings 2
18 Noiseblocker M12-S2
19 Antec TrueQuiet 120
20 Noiseblocker M12-P


If you want something with more oomph .... the Phanteks MP series are new and did not make the test. You can see the Phanteks compared with the Nocs here also.

http/www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/phenteks_f140/3.htm

At OCC the Phanteks delivered 3C lower temps while spinning 300 rpm slower.

 

[TheDualshock]

Thanks for the reply Jack, I might grab one of those Phanteks' to replace my 140mm stock exhaust fan. For the front I can't go with 3x140mm if I were to stay with three fans in front. I can either go 2x140mm or 3x120mm in the front. Not sure which one would be better though.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

(2) 140s = 2 x 82.2 cfm = 164.4

(3) 120s = 3 x 54.4 cfm = 163.2

But 120s are 24.2 dbA and the 140s are 19 dbA

 

[TheDualshock]

(2) 140s = 2 x 82.2 cfm = 164.4

(3) 120s = 3 x 54.4 cfm = 163.2

But 120s are 24.2 dbA and the 140s are 19 dbA

I went and check what was making the bulk of the noise and to my surprise it's actually my CPU cooler. I have a NH-D14 both plugged onto the CPU_Fan header with Noctua's Y-split. It's pretty quiet but maybe I'm just a quiet maniac.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I went and check what was making the bulk of the noise and to my surprise it's actually my CPU cooler. I have a NH-D14 both plugged onto the CPU_Fan header with Noctua's Y-split. It's pretty quiet but maybe I'm just a quiet maniac.

In this build it was actually the PSU (EVGA G2) that was loudest....

Version 1

Version 2

Version 1 was quieter with all fans at max (Swiftech fans on the liquid cooler go to 1800 rpm), all others 1200.

 

[TheDualshock]

Not sure how I could test the PSU fan noise. I've checked the GPU and that's not it, locked it from 30% to 20% and noise was the almost the same.

Edit: Not the PSU fan, most noise coming from CPU cooler, guess I'll have to deal with it.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

In our case there was a noise.... put ear an inch away from each fan and nothing could be detected.... except at the rear where PSU fan exhausts.

 

[TheDualshock]

In our case there was a noise.... put ear an inch away from each fan and nothing could be detected.... except at the rear where PSU fan exhausts.

Well thanks for the help Jack, I might swap out the fans anyway for better airflow.