Need help with FAN selection

Skyprey

Honorable
Jul 29, 2012
13
0
10,510
Hi Guys

I am finally getting the case I have always wanted, the Fractal Design arc midi 2.

And I need advice. I plan on having 2 front fans, and one rear exhaus fans and a 280mm AIO cpu cooler in the top.

The Cooler and all the spots mentioned, I wish to use Noctua Fans in, but I have no idea what fans I should take for air flow, and for the AIO cooler. I want all fans to be 140mm.

http://noctua.at/en/products/fan/nf-a15-pwm
http://noctua.at/en/products/fan/nf-a14-pwm
http://noctua.at/en/products/fan/nf-a14-flx
http://noctua.at/en/products/fan/nf-a14-uln

Also I want advice on a great 280 AIO cooler, with low pump noise, the fans will be replaced, as mentioned, so it must be a cooler where I can change fans.

Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
Careful with redux line. It should be same fan as it's non-redux version (if there is such) BUT they do not come with some extra stuff like Y-splitter, extension cable, low noise adapter.
These you may need mainly if you are going to use fans in pair or fan header may be out of reach of cable.

I would stick with non-redux fans even if they are slightly more expensive.
If your motherboard got PWM headers go for PWM fans for better control of RPM. It's very likely that your case fans will run at minimum RPM whole time (which for NF-A14 is around 45% - +-680 RPM)
So your choice should be either NF-A14 PWM or NF-A15 PWM.

NF-A14 is higher performance and may be slightly louder, but it's still quiet even at higher rpm.
NF-A15 is bit odd...

pm4

Honorable
Apr 28, 2014
421
2
11,160
Careful with redux line. It should be same fan as it's non-redux version (if there is such) BUT they do not come with some extra stuff like Y-splitter, extension cable, low noise adapter.
These you may need mainly if you are going to use fans in pair or fan header may be out of reach of cable.

I would stick with non-redux fans even if they are slightly more expensive.
If your motherboard got PWM headers go for PWM fans for better control of RPM. It's very likely that your case fans will run at minimum RPM whole time (which for NF-A14 is around 45% - +-680 RPM)
So your choice should be either NF-A14 PWM or NF-A15 PWM.

NF-A14 is higher performance and may be slightly louder, but it's still quiet even at higher rpm.
NF-A15 is bit odd fan as it got 140x150 frame with 120mm mounting holes using 140mm fan blades. It got lower RPM hence lower noise and airflow/static pressure.

For your radiator you should definetely go with NF-A14.
For case either NF-A14 or NF-A15. In case of NF-A15 you have to make sure that odd size of fan wont cause problem as 140x150 frame may not be compatible with case. To be safe you can stick with NF-A14 also for case.
 
Solution

Skyprey

Honorable
Jul 29, 2012
13
0
10,510
Thank you both I am 90% sure of what to buy now, I only have one more question if I may!

The Case has a fan controller for 3 fans, and thats why I want two intake and one exhaust, and then two for the AIO radiator cooling.

So I just need advice on a dual 140mm fan AIO, and to know if I can use the Noctua fans with the build in fan controller of the Fractal Design arc midi 2??
 

Nick_50

Reputable
Jan 28, 2016
258
0
4,860
The redux fans are slightly different to the standard Noctua fans in terms of bearing, rpm and therefore airflow, static pressure and noise, check out the specs on their website.

I looked at the redux fans and decided against it and got the normal ones even if I prefer the grey colours of the redux. I would always get PWM fans for the AIO cooler for better control, if you want them to run fast all the time then you can still set that up with PWM.

The fan controller on that case appears to adjust the voltage to the fans so if it uses 3 pin connectors just make sure there is enough space between them to install 4 pin sockets with the PWM pin connected to nothing. If they are very close together then you will have to stick to 3 pin fans.