Recommend new CPU cooler fans?

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5to82allday

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Nov 21, 2013
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Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO

I want to get two fans to run a push and pull config. Have a total of $40 to spend on both. Please recommend me good fans? My current fan is starting to show its age, lol.
 
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photonboy
Hey,
I recommend getting a SINGLE NOCTUA, NF-F12 fan:
http://noctua.at/en/which_fan_is_right_for_me

It's better to have one good fan than two lesser fans in push-pull. (I'm referring to the FIRST link). At $20 you could get two if you want, but with the EVO that's a waste of money. You'd be better spending a little more and get a Cryorig cooler instead, plus you'll not get much added cooling with the 2nd fan on the EVO anyway. I know because I tested it.

The RPM also didn't change much at the same temperature with the SECOND FAN so it doesn't appear to add much cooling anyway.

The NF-P12 on the EVO can cool an i5-4690K (without overclock) and be fairly quiet (quieter than stock for sure). I added the extra fan and it made no...
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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Hey,
I recommend getting a SINGLE NOCTUA, NF-F12 fan:
http://noctua.at/en/which_fan_is_right_for_me

It's better to have one good fan than two lesser fans in push-pull. (I'm referring to the FIRST link). At $20 you could get two if you want, but with the EVO that's a waste of money. You'd be better spending a little more and get a Cryorig cooler instead, plus you'll not get much added cooling with the 2nd fan on the EVO anyway. I know because I tested it.

The RPM also didn't change much at the same temperature with the SECOND FAN so it doesn't appear to add much cooling anyway.

The NF-P12 on the EVO can cool an i5-4690K (without overclock) and be fairly quiet (quieter than stock for sure). I added the extra fan and it made no noticeable difference in noise reduction (temperature was the same as they followed the same, custom fan profile using my motherboard software).

https://www.amazon.com/Noctua-NF-F12-PWM-Cooling-Fan/dp/B00650P2ZC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1505175895&sr=1-1&keywords=nf-f12
 
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Solution
photonboy

photonboy

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Update: Just FYI, but I've experimented with optimizing various builds for NOISE and here's what one of the gaming builds has:

http://noctua.at/en/which_fan_is_right_for_me

3x NF-S12A
1x NF-F12

(and optimal fan profile)

The original case fans were too noisy so I replaced them with quiet, BITFENIX fans which did a fine job. They wore out though after four years so I decided to get high quality fans which probably will last longer.

If the EVO isn't good enough to cool (and the Noctua fan will only help a little), then I'd spend a little more and get THIS CRYORIG cooler instead:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Ztp323/cryorig-cpu-cooler-h5ultimate
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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There's a 2-3°C difference in push vrs push/pull on a hyper212. What you've not taken into consideration is bleed air. That's the air that's broadcast out the sides of the cooler, and supplies air across the VRM's and other voltage regulatory circuitry surrounding the socket. Adding a second fan creates enough vacuum to essentially kill that bleed air, so can create issues with OC, higher mobo temps at the socket, bsod during heavy extended use etc. Honestly not worth the slight performance difference in cpu temps. Much better idea is a good quality single fan like these, or a Noctua NF-P12 pwm if you can find one.

Case Fan: CRYORIG - QF120 Performance 83.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($19.89 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Phanteks - PH-F120MP_BBK_PWM 53.3 CFM 120mm Fan ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Corsair - ML120 Pro LED White 75.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($24.78 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: be quiet! - SilentWings 3 PWM 50.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($19.89 @ SuperBiiz)
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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NF-F12 is better than the NF-P12. See my Noctua link for choosing fans.

The NF-P12 does everything "okay" but is not optimized. The NF-F12 is optimized to push air through a heatsink or radiator.
 
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SgtScream

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That's interesting.
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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Yes, photonboy, the f12 is a force flow fan. It has a projected cone almost 90° perpendicular to the fan, which is why it's 2nd best on a heatsink like the hyper212. Yes you get a few °C better cpu results, but that's offset by the air basically going straight through the fins, there's very little bleed at all with that fan. The P12 is better in this instance as it has a broader exhaust cone, closer to a 120° arc, forcing air out the sides of the heatsink, cooling the mobo voltage circuitry etc. The F12 is a specific purpose fan, if you are only after cpu temps, it's king there, the P12 is a general purpose fan, so has a slightly broader area of impact.
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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True. But the performance difference between the 2 is marginable. It has its advantages, like quieter, shorter and improved airflow and efficiency, but those are really only seen on initial purchase, like when moving up from a stock cooler. I don't see it as enough of an improvement to be worth the cost. OP might.
 
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