Best fans that aren't to expensive.

[NeverBackDown]

So i should start this by saying the fans will be going into the rig that's in my sig. Currently running 2 stock fans(fractal r2) and they provide very little cooling. My gpu IDLES at 56 on a cool day and sometimes even around 62. When gaming it can easily hit 75-80C.

So in summary i need more cooling power. But i do want to maintain a high positive to negative pressure ratio as my house is very dusty.

ALSO i almost forgot to mention later in the year i plan on going full water cooling. So i want to get the proper fans now then later needing to go buy more. I will most likely be going with a XSPC D5 ex240 kit and adding a 60/80mm thick rad in the front. So low FPI rads which means static pressure isn't that big of a deal...

I have been looking at these fans: All 120mm

1) Cougar Vortex V12HP
2) Silverstone AP123
3) Corsair sp120 quiet editions
4) Gelid FN-PX12

So these are it. There are a few variations of the gelid fans but i picked the 800-1500rpm model. Though the slower ones i will take into consideration also. I was also thinking of buying a this but my only concern is if i have to plug it in to a cpu header. I would rather just run them all full speed if they will be quiet enough. If not then a 7volt resistor.

Thanks in advanced.

 

[airdeano]

So i want to get the proper fans now then later needing to go buy more. I will most likely be going with a XSPC D5 ex240 kit and adding a 60/80mm thick rad in the front. So low FPI rads which means static pressure isn't that big of a deal...

close to true, but using any kind of restriction (low/high fpi) static is a big
deal. especially, for you and your intake tract is going to run through a filter,
and a maze of restriction from the front panel. and then jacking air into a
radiator.
kinda hence your cooling efforts up to now. it might not be on the top of
your list, but should be a top 3 consideration if looking to h2o cooling.

 

[NeverBackDown]

ok so cooling is a big deal in my case

Then the question remains.. Which fans?

 

[jamesriley94]

I use Silverstone AP121s and love them.

Haven't used any of the others.

 

[Cru]

used NF F12s and SP120 QEs on my H80i
temps are very similar,
the noctuas are more expensive but also quieter
the sp120 QEs are cheaper, look better but a bit louder
not sure about the other fans, ap123s seem to be quite good though

 

[WYP]

i have good results from my sp120's very quiet rad fans

 

[SieB]

The Cougar Vortex and Gield fans get my vote. The Vortex have good specs, 2.20 mm.H20, 70cfm and only 17.5db.

You could also go with AP-15s, can't go wrong with those and they go for pretty cheap now.

 

[Tripp]

silverstone ap123 get my vote

 

[NeverBackDown]

Added a poll. If you guys could just please vote their and in a post explain why. Helps me keep track
Also with everyone definitions on "quiet" vary, i would like to say mine personally is no motor noise and almost next to no wind noise. Which fan can provide that and still obtain a high static pressure?

 

[Tripp]

silverstone get my vote as i use the ap121's myself an the quiet at 7v and effective

 

[NeverBackDown]

Are they quite at 12v as well?

 

[Tripp]

there not not super noisy but you can hear them

 

[NeverBackDown]

the ap121's are rated at 22.4 db but the ap123s are rated at 34.1db... Big difference but i would like to know how they can remain so quiet?

 

[Tripp]

really i thought they were supposed to be quieter due to the new fan design

 

[NeverBackDown]

Well some companies post high db rating like the GT 1850rpm model which i believe has a 28.5 db but yet people say it's very quiet... So i think this is the case with the ap123s

 

[SieB]

GT 1850rpm are loud at full speed but when you lower the speed they still have good performance and are quiet.

 

[jamesriley94]

Yeah, ignore dB ratings for fans entirely. Half of the manufacturers lie, and the other half don't test using the same methods anyway so you can't really compare.

Go by what people say.

AP121s are probably the quietest fans at 12v I've heard. Marginally quieter than an NF-F12, and a fair bit quieter than a BeQuiet Silent Wings 2. They definitely shift more air than the BeQuiet, probably not more than the Noctua though.

Tbh, you'll be fine with pretty much everything you've said as long as you run them at 5/7v.

 

[NeverBackDown]

That still doesn't help which to pick.. I'm assuming pick the cheapest one? lol

 

[jamesriley94]

That still doesn't help which to pick.. I'm assuming pick the cheapest one? lol

I'd go for AP121s actually. Maybe the 123s, but i have no experience with them, and they don't look as nice.

Choose which you like the look of, and obviously take price into consideration.

How are you planning on toning down the fans? resistors/fan controller/fan speed reducers?

 

[NeverBackDown]

Well i actually i have a built in fan controller that can support 3 fans on 12v/7v/5v. I could even go into the bios and set them at 80% or something along those lines. I actually (noobish) don't know how i could connect the fans to the molex? Ya i get a cable reducer but then what? lol

Oh and no i do not own any fan speed reducers