Recommendation on case fan?

[ekoostik]

I'm looking to pick up an extra 120mm fan to use as intake on the front of my case (Cooler Master Elite 310). It comes with one 120mm exhaust on the back. I really could give a hoot about LED, I just want something that will cool well. Noise and price are secondary concerns. I'd prefer w/out LED but if the best possible combination of quality and price comes with one then so be it.

I'd like to pick it up and not have to order it so I'm looking more at Micro Center's selection.

They've listed these two Cooler Masters on sale, are they any good?
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0310672
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0253001


If they're not, what would you recommend?

Thanks.

 

[obsidian86]

the former option fan on your choice

 

[JohnnyLucky]

The Scythe series of fans are often recommended and there are quite a few versions to choose from:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000573%201372726538&Description=Scythe&name=120mm&ActiveSearchResult=True

Here is a link to a very good web site about quiet pc's that has a separate section with recommended case fans with excellent cfm/dba ratios:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article63-page2.html

For my personal pc I use the Scythe S-Flex series of fans.

 

[ekoostik]

The S-Flex run at a decent premium compared to the others. I don't mind spending the money if I have to, but was hoping to keep it closer to $10 - and the $5 cooler masters were really looking attractive at that price. But again, I don't know much about fans that's why I'm here.

Would the Scythe Kama PWM 120mm Fan (Scythe DFS122512L-PWM) be a comparable option to the S-Flex? (I noticed a fan in that series but different model # showed up in the silentpcreview's recommendations - the SA1225FDB12L.)
MicroCenter: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0262707
NewEgg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185049&cm_re=Scythe-_-35-185-049-_-Product

I don't know much about "PWM" or how the motherboard controls the fan. How do I know if my motherboard supports that? I'm probably going to be picking up the Asus P7P55D this weekend. Is there an advantage to using the PWM fans over just putting in a fan that runs at the same speed all the time?

 

[jsc]

The CoolerMasters and Kamas both use sleeve bearings.

Johnny and I agree on a lot of things - including case fans. The S-Flex series come in a range of airflows (which affect noise). I happen to like the S-Flex SFF21-F. It's a good compromise between airflow and noise.

The PWM fans are thermostatically controlled.