Which rad? TFC or BIX with these fans

1045 Views 39 Replies 11 Participants Last post by mhw100, Mar 18, 2009

urgrandpasdog

Discussion Starter · Mar 17, 2009

I would like to swap out my dual MCR-220's for a single 360 rad (I know that cooling won't get much better or anything, but the dual rads (which I bought for my old case) really arn't working well in my new one). I would like to use these fans
http://www.petrastechshop.com/12x38nmfblow.html
Or Possibly these ones
http://www.petrastechshop.com/12x38pafbhyw.html

I am trying to decrease the nosie level in my case (YL highs are killing me) so I don't want to use anything louder than those.

At the CFM and pressure of either of those fans, which would perform better, a BIX 360 or a Feser 360? I know that the Fesers are designed for lower-CFM fans, but I figure even at relatively low airflow the BIX might be better, as the increases density of the fins is usually a problem for lower CFm fans, but the Static pressure of the 38mm thick Panoflos should negate that.

Also, the BIX is significantly cheaper (on sale for $99.99, versus the Feser at $140) so if they will be pretty close performance-wise, or the Feser is only slightly better I will go with the BIX.

Also, please don't go suggesting a Swiftech MCR-320, as I just don't want one, or getting louder fans and a fan controller (I won't have a bay left for it, and this case is too nice to just ghetto-rig one onto it).

Thanks.

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kylej866

· #2 · Mar 17, 2009

Swiftech radiators are better IMO. Just a suggestion

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urgrandpasdog

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 17, 2009

3

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylej866
Swiftech radiators are better IMO. Just a suggestion

Quote:

Originally Posted by urgrandpasdog

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Also, please don't go suggesting a Swiftech MCR-320

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ira-k

· #4 · Mar 17, 2009

I'd go for a GTX with either of those fans, there a lot cheaper here.86cfm Pana ..Just no rpm wire on them.

Really at the speeds you want to run them at the Fesser would be a little better, they beat the GTX from say 47-80cfm, then the GTX pulls ahead above that.

But the GTX still beats the PA rads with 47cfm fans..So they do OK at lower cfm to.360 GTX Beats PA.3 w/47cfm Fans

Using 120x38mm fans I'd personally go GTX since its quite a bit cheaper and your probably only looking at a C or so better temp's below 80CFM with the Fesser. But a C or two is a C or two, they all add up.

Martin has the 480 GTX and 480 Fesser in these calcs..Radiator Thermals and Radiator Calculators - Martin - Overclock.net .You could get an idea from those. Heres a good OC'ed CPU calc. CPU Wattage Calc

Use some shrouds if you can at all, they help a lot..How To: Make any Sized shroud in 2 minutes - Overclock.net

On the TFC MArtin found it liked a push a little better.Fan Push vs Pull vs TFC Shroud Results - Overclock.net

On my GTX it liked a pull a little better.Part-1-480 GTX-Temps W & W/O Shrouds

A GTX review.HWlabs 480GTX thermals-Martin

Both did the best with a push-pull.

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kylej866

· #5 · Mar 17, 2009

I did not specifically suggest a model

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urgrandpasdog

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 17, 2009

Thanks for the heads up on the cheaper panoflos, they come with and will work with the two-pin cable right? I was planning on plugging them straight to my PSU so the lack of RPM control isn't a problem.

And I'm not sure about shrouds, I will have to see how much it will affect the setup height-wise (I don't want my rad+fans to be sticking up like a foot from the top of my case if I can help it).

And, going into the future, do those fans have enough pressure to effectively cool two BIX's in a sandwich kind of setup (for different loops)? In that case I would use shrouds, like this:

BIX
Shroud
Panoflo
Shroud
BIX
Case

Thanks for all the help, I would +REP you but... well you know.

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urgrandpasdog

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 17, 2009

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylej866

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I did not specifically suggest a model

Well I was specifically asking about 3x120mm rads......

EDIT: Woops double post

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Livinstrong

· #8 · Mar 17, 2009

Why not some Ultra Kazes?

Marin

· #9 · Mar 17, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livinstrong

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Why not some Ultra Kazes?

They're not as good as Panaflo's.

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urgrandpasdog

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 17, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livinstrong

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Why not some Ultra Kazes?

Cause they are sleeve-bearing POS's

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tofunater

· #11 · Mar 17, 2009

Get a fan controller, with those pana's. Best investment I've made in a while was my Sunbeam Rhoebus.

urgrandpasdog

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 17, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tofunater

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Get a fan controller, with those pana's. Best investment I've made in a while was my Sunbeam Rhoebus.

I don't mean to sound rude, but honestly, doesn't ANYONE read the OP? I even put the part I am referencing in big, red letters....

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ira-k

· #13 · Mar 17, 2009

Hey NP I just like talking about it anyway.

..This fan link works.Panaflo FBA12G12M1J 120mm High Speed Fan 86.5CFM 35.5dBA

Man that would be a lot of pressure on those little 86 Pana in a sandwich like that. You do know you'd get better temp's not stacking them?

If you are going to do that I'd at least get the 115 Pana, there what I use, and just rheo them down till you stack them.Panaflo 120x38mm 115cfm Ultra High Speed FBA12G12U1BX by NMB-MAT

These trip blade Delta's are great and not much louder, they just have a higher pitched tone that I cant stand, still great fans.Trip Blade 141cfm Delta .

EDIT: You might be better off skipping the shrouds if you have to and run it rad-fan-rad-fan, that would give you better temp's then just fans in the middle anyway.

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urgrandpasdog

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 17, 2009

Yeah, I'm aware that I would get better temps un-stacked, but I am trying to keep everything very clean and sleek to match the case, and when I get a GPU loop the only viable option for mounting the rad is on top of the first one (as I don't want it hanging off the side or something). I'm not going for the absolute best temps, so I think unless it will cause damage to the fan or something I'm going to stack them with the 86CFM panaflo. I would love to get the 115's, but the 44DBA yate loon highs on my current rads are jsut too darn loud alreay, so they aren't an option really.

tofunater

· #15 · Mar 17, 2009

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by urgrandpasdog

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I don't mean to sound rude, but honestly, doesn't ANYONE read the OP? I even put the part I am referencing in big, red letters....

I read the whole thread, and it was arching toward's Ira's fan recommendation's so I thought I would add something to that part of the discussion. As for the rad, I love my TFC, but I got it for $100 as it is one of the ones with funky fan spacing. I say go for what is in your budget. Better?

Edit: I also don't remember seeing the fan controller bit of the op, my apologies.

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ira-k

· #16 · Mar 17, 2009

If your not going for max CPU OC its not going to hurt you to badly. I'd still have the CPU rad as the one thats getting the cooler room ambient air through it first(or at least the first in the stack) since the CPU temp's are a lot more critical then GPU for OC'ing.

Stacking them with shrouds will quiet them down quite a bit to.

urgrandpasdog

Discussion Starter · #17 · Mar 17, 2009

Yeah, I think that my motherboard will hit its limits as far as OC'ing before my cooling does, so not really an issue, as long as my CPU stays below about 60C I'm happy (it currently spikes up to that, but only in IBT). And yes, the CPU rad will be getting the cooler air.

Thanks again for all the help ira, I really appreciate it.

ira-k

· #18 · Mar 17, 2009

Hey its NP, always glad to help when I can. We like pic's, don't forget us when you get it set up.

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mhw100

· #19 · Mar 17, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by urgrandpasdog

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Cause they are sleeve-bearing POS's

What makes sleeve bearing worse? Is it just a potential shorter life or do they emit a different sound?

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urgrandpasdog

Discussion Starter · #20 · Mar 17, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhw100

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What makes sleeve bearing worse? Is it just a potential shorter life or do they emit a different sound?

They are louder, less durable, and tend to break quickly (especially mounted in a horizontal position, like the way I am putting them).

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