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Need help finding all black fans to replace the multi color fans.

568 views 20 replies 7 participants last post by  doyll 
#1 ·
I am in the process of improving the internal look of my case, which is a Phantom 820.
I currently have 2 120mm (orange) Cougar vortex fans in the bottom, one of the NZXT (white and black) fans that came with the case in the internal mount flowing from front to back, and an AeroCool DS 140mm fan in the back with has light grey blades.

For the two bottom Cougar fans I was thinking of getting a couple of the all black Cougar CF-V12HPB which basically have the same specs as the orange ones I have except they are PWM and have a range of 800 to 1500rpms, which is 300rpms higher than the Cougar Vortex fans I have. I can easily color in the orange rubber parts with a sharpee.

For the back AeroCool DS 140 fan I was thinking of the ML 140 Pro fan. Though it is an expensive fan.

For the mid fan I was also thinking of a ML 140 Pro thought the white blades of the NZXT fan actually have a nice glow to them with my UV lights.

But all in all I want some decent airflow in my case and was hoping that if someone knows of better all black fans than these to please let me know.

Thanks in advance!

My Rig is in my signature....
 
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#2 ·
I would recommend Nidec Gentle Typhoons for air pressure.


For less noise but less power, you can get Noiseblocker NB e-Loop fans. Phobya sells the black ones.


My experience with corsair fans has been quite bad, so I wouldn't recommend them.

For generic purposes, you can use Delta fans (WARNING: some of these get insanely loud and powerful.)
 
#3 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by MasakakiKairi View Post

I would recommend Nidec Gentle Typhoons for air pressure.

For less noise but less power, you can get Noiseblocker NB e-Loop fans. Phobya sells the black ones.

My experience with corsair fans has been quite bad, so I wouldn't recommend them.

For generic purposes, you can use Delta fans (WARNING: some of these get insanely loud and powerful.)
I thought the noiseblocker fans are more intended for radiators...
Edit: also the Nidec fans you recommended make more noise and less cfm than the Cougar fans I listed. The Nidecs are rated at 56 cfm with a 28 db noise rating and the Cougar fans are rated at 72 cfm with a 18 db noise rating.
 
#5 ·
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Madmaxneo View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by MasakakiKairi View Post

I would recommend Nidec Gentle Typhoons for air pressure.

For less noise but less power, you can get Noiseblocker NB e-Loop fans. Phobya sells the black ones.

My experience with corsair fans has been quite bad, so I wouldn't recommend them.

For generic purposes, you can use Delta fans (WARNING: some of these get insanely loud and powerful.)
I thought the noiseblocker fans are more intended for radiators...
Edit: also the Nidec fans you recommended make more noise and less cfm than the Cougar fans I listed. The Nidecs are rated at 56 cfm with a 28 db noise rating and the Cougar fans are rated at 72 cfm with a 18 db noise rating.
Specs on fan boxes either lie, or are taken from extremely unrealistic scenarios.

I own a bunch of EK Vardar fans now. And I promise you, nothing is quieter than they are (very similar to GTs - so assume the same for GTs). The Cougars don't even come close.

Look up Martin Liquid Labs review/explanation on fan box statistics.

If I were you I'd grab some 120/140 EK Vardar Extended range black fans. My 140s go from 60rpm to 2200rpm. 120s are 60rpm to 2000rpm.
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex132 View Post

Specs on fan boxes either lie, or are taken from extremely unrealistic scenarios.

I own a bunch of EK Vardar fans now. And I promise you, nothing is quieter than they are (very similar to GTs - so assume the same for GTs). The Cougars don't even come close.

Look up Martin Liquid Labs review/explanation on fan box statistics.

If I were you I'd grab some 120/140 EK Vardar Extended range black fans. My 140s go from 60rpm to 2200rpm. 120s are 60rpm to 2000rpm.
I am actually quite impressed with the cougar fans I have and they are probably the most quiet fans in my case and all of my fans are rated around 20 db noise levels. I am not even able to hear them when I have the side of my case open and working on something with the PC running. Consequently the Martin Liquid Labs site I found was last updated in 2008....

I will look into the Varder fans but they have a listing of 33+ db noise level. Though I do like the RPM range on these, I may actually get a 120mm and a 140mm if I can find a good price. Shortly after making the first post here I did find a pair of all black Cougar Vortex fans for less than $30 total so I got them and they should be here by Sunday.
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Madmaxneo View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex132 View Post

Specs on fan boxes either lie, or are taken from extremely unrealistic scenarios.

I own a bunch of EK Vardar fans now. And I promise you, nothing is quieter than they are (very similar to GTs - so assume the same for GTs). The Cougars don't even come close.

Look up Martin Liquid Labs review/explanation on fan box statistics.

If I were you I'd grab some 120/140 EK Vardar Extended range black fans. My 140s go from 60rpm to 2200rpm. 120s are 60rpm to 2000rpm.
I am actually quite impressed with the cougar fans I have and they are probably the most quiet fans in my case and all of my fans are rated around 20 db noise levels. I am not even able to hear them when I have the side of my case open and working on something with the PC running. Consequently the Martin Liquid Labs site I found was last updated in 2008....

I will look into the Varder fans but they have a listing of 33+ db noise level. Though I do like the RPM range on these, I may actually get a 120mm and a 140mm if I can find a good price. Shortly after making the first post here I did find a pair of all black Cougar Vortex fans for less than $30 total so I got them and they should be here by Sunday.
Like I said, rating on fan boxes are never to be believed.

https://martinsliquidlab.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/why-static-pressure-max-flow-specs-are-poor-measures-of-fan-performance/comment-page-1/

Coincidentally this directly compares the Gentle Typhoon AP15 and Cougar fan.

And I can promote this review's accuracy as I own both of these fans. And at the same speed, the GT/EKs are quieter. But if you can make the GT/EKs go lower than 800rpm.... then it's no competition for them in terms of noise factor
redface.gif
 
#13 ·
The problem is even if the ratings on fan box were reasonably accurate, the rating are for what fan does in open airflow like a fan blowing air around a room and static pressure like a fan taped tight against the wall. Neither is a situation we use our computer fans in.

But let us assume they are accurate, then in normal computer use they would perform something like these P/Q curves do


Which fan would you rather be using?
tongue.gif
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by doyll View Post

The problem is even if the ratings on fan box were reasonably accurate, the rating are for what fan does in open airflow like a fan blowing air around a room and static pressure like a fan taped tight against the wall. Neither is a situation we use our computer fans in.

But let us assume they are accurate, then in normal computer use they would perform something like these P/Q curves do


Which fan would you rather be using?
tongue.gif
doyll to the rescue.

Agree with Alex132. Vardar would be a good option. Cheaper than Gentle Typhoons if not mistaken?
 
#15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Madmaxneo View Post

I am actually quite impressed with the cougar fans I have and they are probably the most quiet fans in my case and all of my fans are rated around 20 db noise levels. I am not even able to hear them when I have the side of my case open and working on something with the PC running. Consequently the Martin Liquid Labs site I found was last updated in 2008....

I will look into the Varder fans but they have a listing of 33+ db noise level. Though I do like the RPM range on these, I may actually get a 120mm and a 140mm if I can find a good price. Shortly after making the first post here I did find a pair of all black Cougar Vortex fans for less than $30 total so I got them and they should be here by Sunday.
Second - the Vardars are louder than your Cougars and the sound profile of them is far more invasive. If you were using them on your Swiftech, I would definitely recommend the Vardars. For intake, the Cougars are a better choice. People who have never used or tested the Cougars always underrate them. As an intake fan in a low restriction environment, they are every bit as capable as the four fans that everyone here will immediately recommend (GT, Vardar, eLoop, Noctua). Don't fall for the hype.

Third - forget the ML140. Pretend it doesn't even exist. While the ML120 ranks up there with the best 120mm fans (just with more people RMAing them due to a slew of initial problems), the ML140 falls flat on it's face. It's average at best, and you can get better fans for half the cost.
 
#16 ·
I have both Cougars and Vardars in my rig.
The Vardars are quieter at every rpm while providing more airflow to the touch. And proven more airflow too (see: Martinsliquidlab).

Cougars are some of the best normal sleeve fans, but GTs and Vardars are on another level. The comparison between Cougars and Vardars for silence really isn't fair considering the EK Vardars are more than happy to sit at very low RPMs generating no noise at all.
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex132 View Post

I have both Cougars and Vardars in my rig.
The Vardars are quieter at every rpm while providing more airflow to the touch. And proven more airflow too (see: Martinsliquidlab).

Cougars are some of the best normal sleeve fans, but GTs and Vardars are on another level. The comparison between Cougars and Vardars for silence really isn't fair considering the EK Vardars are more than happy to sit at very low RPMs generating no noise at all.
Thanks for the clarification everyone.
I usually go with Newegg or Amazon Prime because of the free shipping and I can usually get them within a few days. But I have only been able to find the F4 120 ER fans in all black on Amazon and Newegg , are those the right ones? They are both expensive at about $30 a piece, so may not get one. But I still need the 140mm fan in all black. I did find both the 120mm and 140mm on performance PCs but shipping from there is a minimum of about $11. So the total would still be about $54.

@ciarlatano and everyone else here. I am not replacing my radiator fans. The black colored fans I am requesting are for airflow through my PC and not for radiators. Though I do have some restriction at the front of the case with the hard drive cage in the way of the front fan (in front of the cage) and the internal fan (behind the cage). Both of them are currently 140mm fans but I was not thinking of replacing the hidden front fan, but may in the future.
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Madmaxneo View Post

Thanks for the clarification everyone.
I usually go with Newegg or Amazon Prime because of the free shipping and I can usually get them within a few days. But I have only been able to find the F4 120 ER fans in all black on Amazon and Newegg , are those the right ones? They are both expensive at about $30 a piece, so may not get one. But I still need the 140mm fan in all black. I did find both the 120mm and 140mm on performance PCs but shipping from there is a minimum of about $11. So the total would still be about $54.

@ciarlatano and everyone else here. I am not replacing my radiator fans. The black colored fans I am requesting are for airflow through my PC and not for radiators. Though I do have some restriction at the front of the case with the hard drive cage in the way of the front fan (in front of the cage) and the internal fan (behind the cage). Both of them are currently 140mm fans but I was not thinking of replacing the hidden front fan, but may in the future.
I'm aware of what you are replacing, which is why I said that the Cougars were a better choice for your application.

For the 140mm all black, I would look to the Phanteks F140SP - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709046&cm_re=f140sp-_-35-709-046-_-Product, or the Cougars that match your 120mm. You will be sorely disappointed with the sound profile of the Vardars by comparison. And why use fans specifically designed for rad use as intakes?

Have I ever steered you wrong?
thumb.gif
 
#19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ciarlatano View Post

I'm aware of what you are replacing, which is why I said that the Cougars were a better choice for your application.

For the 140mm all black, I would look to the Phanteks F140SP - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709046&cm_re=f140sp-_-35-709-046-_-Product, or the Cougars that match your 120mm. You will be sorely disappointed with the sound profile of the Vardars by comparison. And why use fans specifically designed for rad use as intakes?

Have I ever steered you wrong?
thumb.gif
Not yet you haven't...lol
I will take a look at the Phanteks, in fact I think I have one of them on a wishlist....
 
#20 ·
Vardars are best bought directly through EKs website - but yes they are pricey.

If price is a concern, look at eLoops or Phantek fans - which IMO are above the Cougar fans.

Also I do believe fans that work well on radiators work well as intakes, I have no issues with mine as such. But I suppose it depends on what you're looking for in a fan - I was looking for absolute silence and maximum control. Hence why I went with the Vardars.
 
#21 ·
I've been quite happy with Phanteks PH-F140SP and XP. Changed TY-147A to PH-F140HP_II on TC14PE cooler and like them too. I ttested PH-F120MP on H80 radiator against GT 1450rpm and I'm impressed with how it performed. Very quiet and plenty of airflow .. like 2dB quieter at same flow through radiator.
 
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