120mm Fan Testing on an MCR120 Radiator Round 6

[tistou77]

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

[defect9]

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.

[tistou77]

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?

[Martinm210]

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.

[Philwong]

Martin, are you using a PWM fan controller to test PWM fans?

Phil

[Zipelgas]

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!

[tcclaviger]

Martin,

You sire are the greatest thing to come to water cooling, since erm..........

water!

[Jodiuh]

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.

[Big Elf]

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.

[tistou77]

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?

[Waterlogged]

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?

A lot of fans have come to market since the release of the GT's, and I still haven't seen anything else worth recommending that can beat their power to noise ratio. The numbers and "review" I quickly dug up on those fans aren't encouraging.

[Church]

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?

[tistou77]

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

[Martinm210]

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.

[tistou77]

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?

[Martinm210]

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.

[tistou77]

Thank you for your feedback
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?

[Martinm210]

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.

[tistou77]

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

[zalbard]

What do you think of "Be Quiet Shadow Wing" and "Scythe Kama Flow 2" for a radiator?

Kama Flow 2s are fantastic fans.

[tistou77]

Kama Flow 2s are fantastic fans.

Ok, thanks
With a radiator and below 1000rpm?
Compared to the Scythe GT is the same point of view performance and silence (if you have tested the GT)?

[tistou77]

In the video, the 2nd unit from the right (right multimeter for voltage), what is it?

Thanks

[zalbard]

Ok, thanks
With a radiator and below 1000rpm?
Compared to the Scythe GT is the same point of view performance and silence (if you have tested the GT)?

I like their sound signature a lot more than GT's.
You can find a review here.

[tistou77]

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

[Waterlogged]

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.