Silent Case Fans - explantation of dba, cfm

573 Views 14 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Chucko, Mar 3, 2009

William151515

Discussion Starter · Mar 3, 2009

Hello OCN

can someone explain to me about DPA , and CFM

and rpm (i know what these terms mean, just what they are exactly)

so i can help to look for the best brand/cooling/silence

because i am getting new case fans from this store:

www.megabuy.com.au - (since they accept paypal - and are Aussie)

i just would like to learn a bit more about case fans so i can actually make a choice instead of just knowing what 120mm - Brand name, because thats how i made a choice of 2 thermaltake fans for my custom rig

but id like to understand fans a bit better

(i did build my own rig, but just need to learn a bit more about case fans)

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Ghostscript

· #2 · Mar 3, 2009

RPM = Rounds per minute - how many times the fan spins around every minute...

CFM = Cubic feet per minute - how much air the fan moves every minute..

Reactions: 1

William151515

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 3, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristianEx

View Post

RPM = Rounds per minute - how many times the fan spins around every minute...

CFM = Cubic feet per minute - how much air the fan moves every minute..

ok thanks, but what about DPA?

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Ghostscript

· #4 · Mar 3, 2009

Ehm.. DPA, DPA... sure you're not thinking of dBa? If not, than I'm not quite sure what DPA is...

kpo6969

· #5 · Mar 3, 2009

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ht=fan+roundup

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ht=fan+roundup

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=193126

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ht=fan+roundup

William151515

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 3, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristianEx

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Ehm.. DPA, DPA... sure you're not thinking of dBa? If not, than I'm not quite sure what DPA is...

haha my mistake , just a typo :O

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spaceballsrules

· #7 · Mar 3, 2009

You want the highest CFM at the lowest DBa.

The most important thing about fans is the type of bearing it uses. Try to stay away from sleeve bearings, as these tend to wear out quickly and get noisier as they degrade.

On the site you linked, if you looking to get some 120mm fans, you can't go wrong with Antec TriCools or the Silverstone FM121 and FM122. I know I said sleeve bearings are not good, but I love my Zalman ZM-F3 fans. I have 3 in my case, and they move lots of air and do so quietly. The oldest one i have is 6 months old, so I can't comment on their longevity.
If you can find a site that has them, the Scythe S-Flex fans are always an excellent choice. I have the 75 CFM version on my CPU cooler, and it moves A LOT of air, and is very quiet.
With fans, you get what you pay for.

GoHigh

· #8 · Mar 3, 2009

dBA! LOL! It's how loud the fans are...

Ghostscript

· #9 · Mar 3, 2009

That's okay

dBa is the noice level of the fan.. the higher dBa, the loader the fan runs.. so basically what you'd want is a fan with good CFM and low dBa to say it the easy way.. for a more thorough run through check the links..

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William151515

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 3, 2009

http://www.megabuy.com.au/zalman-zm-...ed-p51680.html

do these look good?

(id get 4 120mm Case Fans)

or these Antec ones

http://www.megabuy.com.au/antec-tric...ed-p35188.html

EDIT: nvm seen the dba

seems the Zalman is more quiet

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h00chi3

· #11 · Mar 3, 2009

I thought
RPM = revolutions per minute
dba = decibels

mr. biggums

· #12 · Mar 3, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by William151515

View Post

http://www.megabuy.com.au/zalman-zm-...ed-p51680.html

do these look good?

(id get 4 120mm Case Fans)

or these Antec ones

http://www.megabuy.com.au/antec-tric...ed-p35188.html

EDIT: nvm seen the dba

seems the Zalman is more quiet

they will be rather loud, its difficult but look for fans under 22DBa that way they wont be horrible annoying,

edit after lookin threw there site you dont have much more of an option, so i guess if you pick up a fan controller you could keep there volume low but keep some of there performance

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William151515

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 3, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. biggums

View Post

they will be rather loud, its difficult but look for fans under 22DBa that way they wont be horrible annoying,

edit after lookin threw there site you dont have much more of an option, so i guess if you pick up a fan controller you could keep there volume low but keep some of there performance

i can also use ebay XD

ok so fans 22DBa or below (with good CFM) as a fan choice for silent

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bebster

· #14 · Mar 3, 2009

For an aussie site, I would HIGHLY recommend www.pccasegear.com or www.gammods.com.au. Although gammods has a pretty limited selection, they are reasonably priced, easy to contact and are run by some nice guys. Pc Case Gear is the aussie online powershop. They have everything, they are cheap (ish), and they have good, fast shipping.

Chucko

· #15 · Mar 3, 2009

IME, more RPM = more CFM = more dB(A), but perceived noise goes up a lot faster than airflow! The differences between blade design are minimal as far as airflow vs. noise at any given RPM.

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