That DOES NOT do PWM control. It takes 7 to 14 Volts DC input and increases it to 12 to 24 Volts DC output.
Printable View
Sorry, didn't notice the topic until now. Unfortunately, my main technical experience lies with computer hardware, mainly fan control. When it comes to audio, I am a total and utter noob :rofl:. I really hope you'll be able to finish that project of yours and I'll be sure to follow it and help out when I can :).
Group photo...I think I missed a couple, but it was hard enough fitting in this many..:)
http://img602.imageshack.us/img602/1...hotor6and8.jpg
WOW! :lol2:
LOL, classic!
That's sexy as hell :eek: :rofl:
Howdy from Miami!..:D
I'm headed on a cruise for a week, so I have no computer to check this(just stopping in on my Droid)...but AndreaBZ did another update to the spreadsheet that includes the 140mm fans. I'm not quite sure how that works in there, but I wanted to share his great work.
Cheers!Quote:
Originally Posted by AndreaBZ
Martin
Ah, that explains why you haven't responded in any of my threads.
Enjoy your cruise Martin!
Sorry..must have missed the question. PM me if you have something particular, I may be checking in if/when we have service.
Thanks..never have done this before..heck I've never even left the west coastal states. Looking forward to constant mid 70s temps all week..:D
Good on you, if you can ever do it, head towards the South Pacific, anywhere from Hawaii or further south.
Check out all the major pacific islands, gradually heading S+S-West towards Australia & the Great Barrier Reef.*
And then on to the intersection between Northernmost Australia (delineated border between Timor/Indon) & West Papua.
West Papua's West coast is now believed to be the most biologically diverse part of the marine world...
Plenty of places in the US that are very beautiful too though, one could spend their entire life just exploring that :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_Triangle
http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/...s/default.aspx
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiv...ots/index.html
*the regions along the way are arguably better, & to the east of the GBR is the 2nd largest reef system (new Caledonia).
Hey,
Haven't read through everything
But was wondering what you guys thought of the yate loon high speed model.
Since the medium has 37 here, wondering what I could expect from the high model.
Trying to get some high performance fans (maybe 50cfm+ ?)
Bu there aren't many models here that do it, and the ones that do are either not readily available in the UK, or crazy expensive (Ģ20+ per fan)
They will do the trick for now ...good performing for a value fan although not exactly quiet but the bearings don't last if run horizontally they begin to sieze so may need oil every few months. Long term steer clear of sleeve bearings. (my experience is running 24/7 though)
Can you PM me the address for me to send some fans for you to test
Thanks for the offer, but I've switched gears to pumps for a little while. I probably will come back to fans in a while, but I've learned that what made me retire from testing the first time was my inability to say no to samples until I found myself buried in several months worth of work and completely burned myself out.
I refuse to do that again, so I am now a one item que tester these days(with random/regular vacations), and my que is full.:D
Will let you know when I come back to fans though..always much appreciated.:up:
Martin, I found your Jingway and MCP355 pump tests on youtube very useful, indeed. I hope you'll do a test in similar conditions with a D5. :) I'm currently looking to replace the DP1200 with a D5 and I couldn't find a 1:1 comparison between the two pumps (noise-wise, I'm looking to make my system more silent).
New fan on the loose, TFC Triebwerk TK-123 V2 High Speed:
The best fan for your needs
noise, rpm video
BTW look how testers hand shake at 1:14.:ROTF:
sorry, if this was posted earlier!
Lol thatīs a cheap copy from their own product. No Noiseblocker bearing inside anymore :(
hi,
any chance to review a Sharkoon silent eagle SE?
I've heard they are pretty good, but can't find any decent reviews on the net . :)
I'm not sure when I'll get back to the fan testing scene. I'm all booked for the time being with pump noise and tinkering and also may be doing something with fan controllers next. After 50 some fan tests, I've taken interest in some other areas. Maybe later..:up:
@martin
If you make significant progress on fan controllers & if you remember, please pop into one of my dedicated threads
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...39#post4676139
http://www.overclockers.com/forums/s...51#post6724451
http://www.overclock.net/water-cooli...l#post11727436
As we had similar expectations/hopes/desires from a fan controller.... :)
Thanks!
would be pretty cool to see your review on the Delta QFR1212GHE-PWM (I'm using this) or even the extreme PFC1212DE-PWM but be sure to use a PWM splitter or you could fry your motherboard like I did. :down:
Hi
Currently, I have the Noctua P12 to ~900rpm on radiator TFC Xchanger 360 (1 vertical and 1 horizontal), by which I could replace them for quieter and with the same performance (and may be more)?
NoiseBlocker PL2 is a good choice?
thanks :)
here's the first page of this thread. look at the chart that measures performance (cfm) and rated db levels.
then make sure to also compare that to the subjective noise rating, which picks out annoying things like motor ticks, clicks, hum, whine, etc.
all around best choice may be the Noiseblocker M12-S3 or some GTs. Naturally, read the information and make a choice that works for you.
thank you for the info ;)
I've watched the first page, and the P12 will be more efficient (compared to NB PL2, etc ...) but less silent
I would like feedback from users, to know what it is
I found a fan that is as good as the P12 and quieter
and most important is the static pressure, and I do not think that is specified in the test
thanks :)
PS: I don't like the design of the GT but a GT 13 will be enough? more efficient and quieter than a Noctua P12 or NB PL2?
and compared to PL1?
Don't worry about static pressure. The real world spec would show the entire pressure vs flow curve but few fans do. In operation the fan performs somewhere between the static pressure point and Max air flow point but neither is very good at defining performance accurately. Besides that many use different test methods making any sort of comparison apples to oranges. I tested actual flow through a radiator which is more useful IMHO than any box spec.
I would suggest comparing the Max flow column highlighted in blue in the OP to compare like fan powers.
Martin, are you using a PWM fan controller to test PWM fans?
Phil
Amazing review and comparison on all the different fans!
Usually i go for the usual fans without bling, but this time i decided i wanna try some LED fans to brighten up my case abit, as i didnt find anything via searching the thread for it wich would be the best LED 120mm fans to buy these days? I am on a bit of a budget so those cant be that expensive was thinking about Arctic Cooling F12-s before ( these are a real bargin ) but they dont have LEDS so if anyone has any reccomendations on some great LED fans on a budget id be grateful!
Martin,
You sire are the greatest thing to come to water cooling, since erm..........
water!
Thank you so much for this! I'm currently using some SFLEX E's, but am mulling over the Noiseblocker Pl-1's for a silent build.
I have Noisblocker PK2 (140mm) and PL2s. One of the two PK2s has stopped working and 3 out of the 16 PL2s have developed really loud motor noise and one other is squeaking at slow speeds. They're all about 6 months old. A bit disappointing really as they're otherwise good fans.
What do you think of "Be Quiet Shadow Wing" and "Scythe Kama Flow 2" for a radiator?
Compared with a Scythe Gentle Typhoon AP-13 for example?
And that amazes me. Certainly some vendors would love to make better products. But time comes and gees and still nothing better. There is innovation in other areas, even if small-step evolutionary. Fans? Only in bling direction + putting bigger and bigger as stock ones in case. But where are the better ones by noise/flow?
Ok thank you, I'll keep the AP-13
A question, is that with a rad, thicker and less dense (TFC Xchanger) a Push/Pull will be efficient? And quieter?
Thanks
I tested the Be Quiet and Kama Flow 2 in a round 10 or 11 but never got around to finishing the video processing. I have some failing hard drives tht are creating random lock ups and lost interest. I'll get around to fixing my computer and publishing those videos later this summer/fall but I wouldn't hold your breath in them outperforming GTs when mounted to a radiator. While many fans are comparable below 1000rpm, the GTs are still in a league of their own in the 1400-1800rpm range in dbA/cfm ratios. GTs have their issues to regarding harmonics and noise quality issues but still hold the crown in my book for low noise levels on a radiator.
Thank you very much Martinm
If I understand (sorry for my English comprehension), the GT is better above 1000rpm, but worse below 1000rpm (or not really better compared to other fans)?
Even without having completed your tests, you have an idea between the GT-AP13, Be Quiet and the Kama Flow 2?
I think many fans are good and roughly the same below 1000 rpm including yate loons. I have heard 3dbA or less is barely perceptible by the human ear and would agree with that. Below about 1000rpm most fans I tested are within 3dbA so it really becomes a matter of personal preference. It has been a couple of months now, but I thought both the Kama flow 2 and Be Quiet were ok. The Be Quiet reminds me of Noctua in that it comes with all sorts of accessories and fancy packaging and good fan but way overpriced for the performance. The Kama flow is like the other scythe Sflex in that it is a good quality fan...like a yate loon with better build quality.
Anyhow, a bit subjective on my notes...I need to get those videos processed so you can make you own judgement as that is more important than what the sound meter says or what I say.
Thank you for your feedback :up:
I'll keep the GT AP-13, if there is not much better, and quieter (less than 1000rpm)
Off Topic, a Push/Pull of GT will be better or not (TFC Xchanger)?
Quieter for the same perfomances, or there will no difference?
Thank you very much for this good work
PS: there is a topic like this, for the 140mm Fan?
Yes push plus pull dialed down in rpm will be a bit better than a single fan in push or pull only. I haven't done a lot of that sort of testing but the little I did do shows push plus pull being better in noise than push only for noise at like air flow rates.
I do have some 140 testing done but only a few, you will have to search for it or go to my site.
This is what I understood with the push/pull, with "less rpm", it's the same performance that push only (and with more rpm)
And therefore, a bit quieter with the same performance
Thanks so much for your help
PS: Ok for the 140mm fan
In the video, the 2nd unit from the right (right multimeter for voltage), what is it?
Thanks ;)
I like their sound signature a lot more than GT's.
You can find a review here.
Thank you for your feedback, I had seen this test, they look better, but they are not tested on a radiator, I believe
And the bearings are different, right?
Ex (even if it's not good to compare two different tests):
Kama Flow 2: 950 rpm, 32 dba, 362 ft/min, 16.2 CFM
GT AP-13: 810 rpm, 32.1 dba, 223 ft/min, 16.3 CFM
KF2 is best in ft/min, it is so important?
Not knowing, I ask
Thank you very much
Not really a good idea to put data from 2 different test beds head to head like that as there can be some subtle (or major) differences in how the test bed is made which might produce different results. Having said that, note that the GT produces those numbers at a slower RPM which usually indicates better static pressure which is needed to push air through the fins of a rad.
I'll see if I can dig up those videos and at least clip a screenshot of the Kamaflow 2 vs GT.
Here is a quick look at a few of the fans I tested in Round 11 at similar (550-590 air flow speeds), but haven't published yet. I liked the noise quality coming from the Kama Flow 2, Be Quiet, & the Phobya fans, but the GT was still prevailing on noise levels when radiator mounted. They all had good smooth air like smooth sound, but the GT is practically absent of air noise from it's blade design giving it the lowest noise level. This does however leave the bearing noises and other not so pleasant noises to be more apparent so some users don't like the GT sound quality and I can understand that.
The meters are left to right (Exhaust Chamber Air Flow in Feet Per Minute | Noise Level dbA | Voltage at Fan Plug | Speed in Hz (typically Hzx30=RPM))
http://martinsliquidlab.files.wordpr...ound11fans.jpg
The Be Quiet does require a bit more RPM to reach the same air flow levels. The Kama Flow 2 was pretty good with that, not quite to GT CFM/RPM levels but decent.
The Phobya fans have really good noise quality and very similar to that of Noise Blocker fans, but just not keeping up with GTs on noise level either.
Brilliant review, pity the videos dont exist anymore. I picked up some Gentle Typhoon AP-15's (new revision) and when tested individually in free air they sound almost silent. Great I thought, loomed them up and bolted all 4 to my rad and oh god, the resonance is terrible. All 4 are running off of one channel of my Lamptron FC5, and all seeing the same voltage. They resonate and whine at all rpm's over ~800. It's intolerable. I decoupled them off the rad using rubber gaskets and they are about the same, I can't explain it. Sounds like I'm sitting in the next room from a fan doing about 6K rpm.
Since these cannot be used, what's the next best CFM per noise? The noiseblockers? I didn't think the static pressure was much good on these and I can't buy them locally to test one (no one I can find stocks these in Australia). If I can't get them what's next? I have yet to try the Corsair SP Quiet editions, has anyone used these on a rad and can comment?
I am coming from 4 x Scythe S-Flex F's at ~1150rpm which produced a nice smooth sound but didn't cool quite as well as I needed.
Sorry a out the videos, I dumped my whole youtube collection a while back.
Not sure on your resonance issue, but perhaps there hope in purposely altering the voltage in each fan just enough to avoid that Multiple like frequency harmonic. While I have not tested that much in fans, I have noticed it with multiple pumps. In those examples a minor adjustment to very slightly make the RPM different was enough to fix the problem.
I would suggest giving that a try. Put each fan on a separate channel and adjust them slightly differently.
There was definitley a multiple harmonic effect going on, but I think there will still be a whine present at any rpm as when the fan speed is turned up or down, a new whine starts as one stops, there's like multilpe overlayed whines at all speeds until I hit ~800rpm. They move a lot of air but the noise is awful. I will try them on separate channels though thanks for the suggestion.
How do the Noctua NF-P12 go on rads? Their noise and static pressure ratings are appealing.
edit - strike that I see it went horribly (didnt think you tested that model!)
If runnign the GT's individually doesnt correct the issue I think I'm going to go with the Noiseblocker M12-S3HS's they look to be the next best thing and don't suffer from the harmonics and odd sound signature that the GT's do.
GTs do seem to have some harmonics at specific RPMs as well where 900rpm could very well be better than 800..etc I think I counted upwards of 5 or more bumps on various samples so it is worth experimenting with RPM levels as well. Interesting report though, I never have done much in the ways of testing multiple fans, always just did the single. It would be interesting to see if things changed on a multi fan rad bench.
As far as other fans, under about 1000RPM or so, many fans are excellent performers and GTs are really nothing special down that slow either. I personally still use yate loons at 800 rpm as the difference is too small at those very slow fan speed to warrant buying more expensive fans.
That and I am just cheap..:)
Ok did some more testing running the fans on individual channels. You can spin one fan up to target, say 1350 rpm and listen and it's basically silent just some slight motor and air noise. However spin a second fan up and when it gets within ~120 rpm of the first fan (when it reached about 1230 rpm) that heterodyne effect starts and you can hear the harmonic oscillation. With a 3rd and 4th fan also brought up to the same speed the effect was additive but not as noticeable (the most noticeable was going from normal fan sound to the harmonic appearing). I have read in a few places now people claim that the new versions or at some point in recent history these fans started making this sound, and early production samples were quiet. Someone even emailed asking if they'd redesigned the motor but received no response.
I then did some testing bringing each fan up and down with the fan controller or stopping or slowing individual fans by hand and I identified 2 fans that would make the tone that caused the harmonic effect more strongly than the others. I have a quad rad but bought 7 GT's thinking I might add another single rad or even throw a couple on the other side for push pull to help get the air out of the care (this is running in the base of a TJ07). So I swapped out the noisier 2 fans and installed the other 2 and the effect was immediate. I could still here a little harmonic effect but at perhaps a third or less of the volume of the initial incidence.
I wasn't sure what was going on, but since the effect is not audible when the fans are tested sitting on carpet but becomes audible when mounted to a rad I thought perhaps the fact the fans are bolted hard against the rad which is on metal L brackets riveted to a solid aluminium case there was some transmission of the resonance into the case. I grabbed some TFC decouplersa that came with my rad (bad design so I just cut the corners off) and used them to decouple the fans and took care to ensure the fan frames weren't touching one another. The result was instant almost complete mitigation of the harmonics. There is still a mid-bass motor noise hum which is made up of 2 notes an octave apart but it's very quiet and not unpleasant, with hardly any moving air noise even at 1150-1200 rpm. Similar to the motor noise of san ace's, they sound like a 'real mans fan'. I would now rate the sound quality of these fans as very good.
All up, if you are having issues with resonance with GT's, try and identify which fans are doing it (it's only subtle but you can hear some are louder than others and that's all it takes) and swap them out for the quieter ones. Out of 7 purchased I have 5 that are ok for use. Then decouple them using rubber mounts and ensure the fan frames aren't touching when mounted and you should enjoy the GT's.
Thanks Martin, without your suggestion I would never have done that testing. I owe you a beer :up: I am still considering whether or not to try the noiseblockers for a more silent experience, but I think if I really want quiet I should switch to a larger external rad like the MO-RA3 with some 180mm phobyas at 700 rpm or similar.
Interesting, thanks for reporting back on the results of the several trials. I guess as with most things, a little tinkering can go a long ways in solving big problems or at least making big problems small.
Cheers!
Martin
CryptiK: My guess is that for larger fans you go, worse results you'll get, with reasoning behind: 1) the larger the fans, worse/smaller fan selection is (mirriads of 120, acceptable count of different 140, but anything above - 2-10 at most), thus less chance for some model to be exceptionally good (and also less chance for something to be independently be tested); 2) larger the fans, lower the rpms at which noise is within acceptable level (my guess - because with fan blades of big size you get sooner less rigid at that size blade vibration issues), thus very probably hurting a lot fan's produced pressure (=acceptable for case fans, not so for rads). I doubt that large open areas between large slow rotating blades can bring out reasonable pressure. So imho is best noise/performance wise to limit oneself to fan choice upscaling just to 140mm fan size (eg. 9x140 mora3). About the only exception in my book would be some specific rads well fit for specific cases/fans - eg. 3x180 rad for FT02/RV02 cases, where that allows for stock fans be used and also rad overall wider frontal area might somewhat compensate worse fan performance. With external square rads with same frontal area just different count of different sized fans imho you'd be better of sticking to 120/140.
This is a video of the harmonics with the GT 1850's. Crank the sound up, don't worry there's no loud noises on the video:
http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps2f4680c3.jpg
Church - yeah I know what you mean, I've heard a few reports though of basically silence when using a large rad like the MO-RA3 and ~700 rpm fans either the silverstones or Phobyas. A local guy ran that setup and said with the rad 3 feet from him he could hear nothing from his system other than hard drive searching. Rads that size I think just have so much surface area vs little rads we fit in cases and with a low fin density and slow fans work exceptionally well. Maybe not as good in terms of power dissipated per square cm as say a good 480 rad with GT's on it at reasonable RPM, but enough to easily handle an overclocked CPU and SLI setup and keep temps low. I'm hopeful anyway! Not sure which way I'll go yet, I have a set of 4 noisblockers in my shopping cart, think I might try that path first. I can only get the PL-2's in Australia though (we have a small selection of stuff here but I can't bring myself to pay $90-100 shipping from frozenpc etc for fans.
Hey Martin, I was wondering if you're planning on testing the Swiftech Helix fans (PWM or regular) and the Corsair high static pressure fans in the future?
Thanks for all the testing you've done so far, it's all been a great help!
I am going to be doing kit reviews in the near term one of which is the H220. Part of that will include some modified type tests to evaluate the stock fans vs other fans and include noise efforts.
It will be different than this test bench but should still provide some helix based information. I may follow up with a fan only comparision later, but my focus and intent is to test in a case with multiple fans. I have had a few people report some fans don't work well in multiples and that is something missing from this single fan test method I used here. I also want to include the grill and case condition as part of the test. Will be tricky to isolate a bit, but should be fun and something different and I hope more real world use.
That's great! I like that you test on Swiftech rads as I use them myself so it's very relevant for me.
I do hope that some of the other fans you compare the Helixes to are GTs and Corsair SP120s as I'm trying to decide between them for my next upgrade. I really want to move to PWM so hoping that the Helix fans turn out comparable to GTs.
Edit: I also wanted to say that I'm happy that your site is up and running again. It was saddening to see such a great source of information being shut down. I haven't been following the forums very closely lately, so I hope you don't mind me asking, but what happened before and what changed now?
My website hosting was expiring, and figured on hanging up the hat. Had several people ask that I keep it going and contributed, then winter set in and it was too cold to work in the garage. I am also moving so I may be without the garage and atv hobby for a few months here so I figured why not, something to do in my new apartment until I buy a new house at the end of summer.
Church: I suspect that you are right about large slow fans being poor on a rad.
There must be a reason why some air-con makers are using a more extreme blade geometry
http://www.lakecityquietpills.com/ph...9477068994.jpg
Martinm210: if you ever touch again fan testbed, apart from Swiftech's Helixes with GT alike blades i'm a bit interested in NB's eLoop fans noise/performance, by vendor specs supposedly ~ 3db quieter then multiframe series.
OldChap: Take a note, that for most aircons having heatspreaders with fans mostly mounted outside building, noise matters way less, thus they usually go simplest way - ramp fan power/speed up. If you can ignore noise, rpms are by far cheapest and simplest way to get airflow & pressure and thus performance up, no matter what blades fan has. I've seen many with simple metalic small count blades .. but oh noes, that god awful rattle :)
Martin, on the subject of the qualitative assessment of fan noise, have you seen this: http://ixbtlabs.com/articles2/cpu/fa...k7-noise2.html
Quite interesting, I think it's much more telling of how a fan 'sounds' rather than verbal description alone. Any chance something like that could be done?
edit - ive tried many voltages, tried decoupling, tried just getting used to it, but I can't handle the GT's. That soft warbling harmonic just gets on my nerves when I'm browsing or working. When the fans are at ~1000 rpm the harmonic tone is ~577 Hz, and by 1300 rpm this falls to ~540 Hz. I find anything in this tonal region very irritating especially with any oscillation. One of the reasons I'd like to see spectral analysis of fan noise - might not be loud but damn can it drive you nuts. I've gone ahead and ordered the noiseblocker M12-S3HS, hopefully they sound real nice by comparison!
I was using this to match the tone: http://onlinetonegenerator.com/
Just move it around until you hear it match the tone of the fans and begin to oscillate with them.
Just an update on my situation. I installed 4 x noiseblocker M12-S3HS fans on the rad. They do make more of a typical 'air movement' sound than the GT's but they have no chop or buffeting that the Scythe S-Flex's used to have. At 1000rpm they are basically inaudible, I have to unplug my ram fan to really hear them. At 1200 rpm they are audible, but produce that low air noise that's quite pleasant, definitely a high quality exceptional sounding fan. And the best part, no harmonic oscillations! They move a lot of air, I think more than the Scythe S-Flex's used to at the same rpm. I was almost used to the GT's TBH, but these are real nice sounding by comparison I think if I put the GT's back in I'd be instantly irritated again. I also grabbed 2 x 92mm Noiseblocker blacksilent pro PE-1's to use as rear case exhaust fans and these sound great as well. Running at 1000rpm I can only barely hear them when I put my ear right up to them.
It's odd though, something about the huge motor and industrial feel of the GT's, even the motor noise they make, is 'tough' and I feel like a bit of a :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana: now with my noiseblockers. Weird I know but just being honest O.o
Hi
Is it fans will be tested or not?
http://www.kitguru.net/components/co...-140mm-review/
They are excellent at first sight
Thanks :)
I don't believe Martin does much for testing these days.
Ok ;)