First time builder in radiator fan hell

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Jimichrist

Jimichrist

Distinguished
May 24, 2014
19
0
18,510
Hello friends. I've done quite a bit of research on the components needed for my current build. My current strategy is simple: Research the component I need, make a decision based on my research, and buy the component. Easy enough. This strategy, however; has steered me into a bit of a quagmire in terms of choosing the radiator fans. Here's the situation:

I'm going to be cooling a 4770K on top of a Asus Maximus VI Extreme. I have purchased all of the components for the loop except for the fans. The radiator is an Alphacool Nexxxos UT60 480mm. Research tells me that the Noctua NF-F12 is a high performer, but that color scheme is ridiculous (why the heck can't they make these in black?) Next i took a look at the Corsair SP series. Great fans, but they have 3-pin connectors. My motherboard has 4-pin fan connectors and, from what I have read, I need 4-pin connectors if I want to be able to manually control the speed of the fans. The Corsairs are out. Next I looked at the Scythe Gentle Typhoon 1850s. They are 3-pin as well. I think they have been discontinued anyway.

Is there any kind soul out there who can suggest a high performing, relatively low noise radiator fan? Is my concern between 3-pin connectors and 4-pin connectors unfounded? I'm about to lose my mind over here. I'm obviously new to all this. Thanks in advance.

 
Sort by date Sort by votes
manofchalk

manofchalk

Glorious
May 11, 2012
12,914
3
48,960
You need a 4pin connector if you want to control them via PWM, which is best described as a fluctuating voltage that averages the voltage that what you want it too run at, rather than direct voltage control that just outright gives the fan the voltage you want it too. Supposedly its a more accurate way of controlling the fan, as if people like to run fans at exactly 956RPM rather than whatever they can hear.
In my opinion PWM control isnt anything special or particularly useful, if you have a lot of fans to control you want a dedicated controller rather than running off your motherboard, and the vast majority dont support PWM, and those that do is typically restricted to a single channel.

All the fans mentioned by yourself and 4Ryan will work well, I have a few more suggestions as well.
Silverstone Air Penetrator fans are good if expensive options.
The XSPC Xinrullian's are a very good budget option, for the price (usually ~$3 a fan) they do a lot of work, their what I use (though I do use thinner rads, so fan performance isnt as important).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Jimichrist

Jimichrist

Distinguished
May 24, 2014
19
0
18,510
Thanks for the input! Seems all paths lead me back to the Noctuas. The color scheme isn't great, but I think I can make it work. I picked up 4 NF P-12s. I'll be starting a build log soon. I'm waiting for a workbench to be delivered.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Jimichrist

Jimichrist

Distinguished
May 24, 2014
19
0
18,510
Yes. I saw these. The Industrials are the perfect color for my build, but I concluded they were probably going to be a bit loud. The grays are nice, but I got some erroneous information a while back that they would not be available in 120mm, which they are. So I'm chugging forward with poo brown fans. The radiator is going to mounted to the top of the case, with 4 fans in push configuration, so the fan blades wont be quite as visible as in other locations. I'll just see how it goes. If they are intolerable, I'll just trash them in great anger and shell out another $100 on the grays (even though they aren't the perfect solution.)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom