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Best 140mm Case Fan?

3K views 25 replies 9 participants last post by  x-apoc 
#1 ·
I'm looking for the best 140mm case fan that is both quiet and performs well. I won't be doing a lot of overclocking and I will be putting these into a Phantex Enthoo Evolve ATX case.
 
#3 ·
The stock PH-F140SP are a good case fan. I have 3 Phanteks cases using them .. including my Evolv ATX. They are the stock fans in your case .. unless you have the new updated fans which are basically the same fan with PH-F140MP fan impeller .. at least that is what I'm told. They do not have a model number for them or specifications that I know of .. direct from Phanteks PR and Tech people. It is kinda strange behavior to change case fans to a fan with no model number and no notification .. but that is what they did.
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The Evolv ATX comes with Phanteks PWM controlled 3-pin variable voltage fan hub and 3x fans. Do you need more airflow?
 
#4 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by doyll View Post

The stock PH-F140SP are a good case fan. I have 3 Phanteks cases using them .. including my Evolv ATX. They are the stock fans in your case .. unless you have the new updated fans which are basically the same fan with PH-F140MP fan impeller .. at least that is what I'm told. They do not have a model number for them or specifications that I know of .. direct from Phanteks PR and Tech people. It is kinda strange behavior to change case fans to a fan with no model number and no notification .. but that is what they did.
headscratch.gif


The Evolv ATX comes with Phanteks PWM controlled 3-pin variable voltage fan hub and 3x fans. Do you need more airflow?
Figured it could not hurt (if I don't use a water cooler then I will have the top vent available). I do have some high end Gentle Typhoons from an OCN order years ago. They are 120mm but pretty good.
 
#5 ·
I wouldn't swap 140mm Phanteks for 120mm Gentle Typhoons.

If you had poor performing sleeve bearing fans maybe, but not Phanteks 140mm fans.
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by RoddimusPrime View Post

Figured it could not hurt (if I don't use a water cooler then I will have the top vent available). I do have some high end Gentle Typhoons from an OCN order years ago. They are 120mm but pretty good.
Adding them to the top is probably not a good idea. The middle and front will be pulling cool air out the top and moving warmer air up from below .. meaning there is a good chance the CPU will run warmer.
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by doyll View Post

Adding them to the top is probably not a good idea. The middle and front will be pulling cool air out the top and moving warmer air up from below .. meaning there is a good chance the CPU will run warmer.
So if the is open spot in the front would you add one there?
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by RoddimusPrime View Post

So if the is open spot in the front would you add one there?
Lian Li PC7HX has 2x front fan vent so yes I would definitely use 2x front intake fans.
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by RoddimusPrime View Post

As the OP states these aren't for my current case.
Okay
Lian Li PC7HX Evolv ATX has 2x front fan vents so yes I would definitely use 2x front intake fans.
And it comes with 2x fans too.
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#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by onyxaltezza View Post

Silverstone FHP-141 is pretty beastly. 140x38 though.
FHP-141 has 105mm mount spacing (120mm fan size). Some FHP 141 come with adapters for 124.5mm mount spacing (140mm fans), but not all of them do.
 
#15 ·
In 2 separate cases (Corsair 330r and 600c) I've tried Gentle Typhoon 120's and Corsair ML120's. The ML120's were cooler, quieter, and much prettier. I've also used 2 Noctua NF-a14's as compared to Corsair ML140's and the Corsairs won this too.

I've seen some reviews saying the Corsair ML's are louder than other fans, but that's not been my experience. I think its easy to figure out WHY they are reviewed as louder though. Many motherboards and fan control software go by % vs actual RPM and the ML line spins faster than most competitive fans. if you use the fan at comparable RPM's it has been my experience that the ML fans will move more air than competitors, and it does so at equal volumes. At speeds below 1,000 RPM I wasn't able to discern the difference between the noctua and corsair fans - which is where most fans will operate 24/7.

With that in mind it may make sense to just go by the budget or aesthetic appeal. Just my $0.02 - hope it helps
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#16 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by aBigRedBear View Post

In 2 separate cases (Corsair 330r and 600c) I've tried Gentle Typhoon 120's and Corsair ML120's. The ML120's were cooler, quieter, and much prettier. I've also used 2 Noctua NF-a14's as compared to Corsair ML140's and the Corsairs won this too.

I've seen some reviews saying the Corsair ML's are louder than other fans, but that's not been my experience. I think its easy to figure out WHY they are reviewed as louder though. Many motherboards and fan control software go by % vs actual RPM and the ML line spins faster than most competitive fans. if you use the fan at comparable RPM's it has been my experience that the ML fans will move more air than competitors, and it does so at equal volumes. At speeds below 1,000 RPM I wasn't able to discern the difference between the noctua and corsair fans - which is where most fans will operate 24/7.

With that in mind it may make sense to just go by the budget or aesthetic appeal. Just my $0.02 - hope it helps
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If you are using 'much prettier' in the same breath as 'cooler and quieter' I have to wonder how much the 'cooler and quieter' was affected by 'much prettier'. It can be hard to be objective when we see the 'pretty' before we determine the 'cooler and quieter.'
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That was a joke .. mostly anyway.

From what I've seem ML120, Gentle Typhoon and EK Vardar 120 are all have very similar performance and sound at similar rpm. Because the scale is expanded in 120mm fan graph we can see more difference in flow/noise, but even then it's is only about 28fpm at 35db .. from about 128-157fpm. That is the biggest difference. Above and below that point they are closer together. Not much more than margin of error involved here. But the MLs do have pretty colors.
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Same is true of ML140 .. graph lines are overlapping so much it is hard to find each one.
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Graqhs from Thermalbench testing.
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by doyll View Post

If you are using 'much prettier' in the same breath as 'cooler and quieter' I have to wonder how much the 'cooler and quieter' was affected by 'much prettier'. It can be hard to be objective when we see the 'pretty' before we determine the 'cooler and quieter.'
biggrin.gif

That was a joke .. mostly anyway.

From what I've seem ML120, Gentle Typhoon and EK Vardar 120 are all have very similar performance and sound at similar rpm. Because the scale is expanded in 120mm fan graph we can see more difference in flow/noise, but even then it's is only about 28fpm at 35db .. from about 128-157fpm. That is the biggest difference. Above and below that point they are closer together. Not much more than margin of error involved here. But the MLs do have pretty colors.
biggrin.gif

Same is true of ML140 .. graph lines are overlapping so much it is hard to find each one.
thumb.gif



Graqhs from Thermalbench testing.
This was exactly my experience. No notable difference in volume, but the ML pitch sounded subjectively better to my ears - its worth noting that the ML fans sound different even if the volume is equal. That could account for some variations in reviews as well.

Again, aesthetics and budget are the best metrics if you're buying a "big name" 140mm fan because the volumes are so close any variation is going to be 100% subjective.
 
#19 ·
#20 ·
#24 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by x-apoc View Post

I got pack of 5x Arctic F12 PWM for $20 to upgrade my case fans, will see how they turn out.

Fluid dynamic bearing 600 - 1,350 RPM / Max. Airflow 74 CFM
There's better fans but not for $4
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(see "The Arctic F12 PWM rates a special mention because it was so quiet and put out a lot of unobstructed air." - http://www.overclockers.com/pwm-fan-roundup-twenty-four-120-mm-case-fans-tested/)

Also that is complete offtopic since this is about 140mm fans
 
#25 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlphaC View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by x-apoc View Post

I got pack of 5x Arctic F12 PWM for $20 to upgrade my case fans, will see how they turn out.

Fluid dynamic bearing 600 - 1,350 RPM / Max. Airflow 74 CFM
There's better fans but not for $4
tongue.gif


(see "The Arctic F12 PWM rates a special mention because it was so quiet and put out a lot of unobstructed air." - http://www.overclockers.com/pwm-fan-roundup-twenty-four-120-mm-case-fans-tested/)

Also that is complete offtopic since this is about 140mm fans
Indeed! The F12 PWM is a not the best fan, but it is definitely a good fan .. and ro $4 each they are a exceptional performance t cost value!

I have and do use a fair few Arctic F fans because of their performance to cost ratio. The ones I use the most are the Arctic Fxx TC (remote sensor temperature / speed controlled) .. for two reasons; good value to performance and I don't know of any other fan that has it's own temperature control system.
 
#26 ·
Thanks for the info, not sure how I missed it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by doyll View Post

Indeed! The F12 PWM is a not the best fan, but it is definitely a good fan .. and ro $4 each they are a exceptional performance t cost value!

Didn't realize I was posting in 140mm fan thread, must have search for something and this came up.

I have and do use a fair few Arctic F fans because of their performance to cost ratio. The ones I use the most are the Arctic Fxx TC (remote sensor temperature / speed controlled) .. for two reasons; good value to performance and I don't know of any other fan that has it's own temperature control system.

Thanks
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