CPU heatsink fan replacement

[IceScreamer]

I noticed lately that my CPU fan started clicking a bit. The temps are great and all but the noise, even though subtle, is getting annoying.
So I'm looking to replace the fan and I'm having a bit of a dilemma what fan to choose.

Now from what I've understood I need to look for static pressure fans and I've narrowed the list to a few fans.

I'm looking for something that will perform at least the same or better and with noise same or lower with PWM function.
For reference these are the specs of the current fan. http://www.enermax.com/home.php?fn=eng/product_a1_1_2&lv0=49&lv1=57&no=161

These are the ones I narrowed down to:

-Corsair SP120 Quiet Edition
-Noctua NF-F12 PWM
-EK Vardar F2,F3 or F4
and
-Nidec Servo Gentle Typhoon, ebay link http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nidec-Gentl...604419?hash=item2123722703:g:fBAAAOSwal5YGQyE

If these are not something I should get or if there is something better please let me know.

 

[jboydgolfer]

dont overthink the replacement. I would recommend that you buy a good rated, good reviewed Fan, from a quality manufacturer.

 

[Caring1]

High static pressure is only needed if placed on a dense radiator or cooler with a high fin count with close margins, otherwise high CFM will do.

 

[IceScreamer]

Oh, I always thought static pressure is needed for any kind of heatsink/radiator, good to know.
With knowing that, are there any recommendations then?

 

[jboydgolfer]

Scythe makes some top shelf, long lasting fans. Thay are pricey, but ive only had a single unit die out of 15 or so, & that wasnt until the fan was almost 5 years old.i use them, some corsair, phanteks, cooler master, but there are many choices. iirc, scythe has some of the higher cfm ratings i recall(107CFM), but brands all likely have equivalents

 

[P4-630]

Scythe makes some top shelf, long lasting fans.

+1^

Thay are pricey

Well in my country they are among the most affordable fan brands.

 

[Ferrum Master]

I like the Vardar ER and I use them a lot, using the low RPM's it is noiseless, but when needed it can ramp up high and cool down properly too.

 

[IceScreamer]

My case fans are Scythe, 2 years strong so far, no complaints really. So Glidestream 120mm PWM should serve me well?

 

[Brusfantomet]

Personaly i would have used a arctic cooling F12 PWM PST since its the best fan for the price i have found yet.

But yes you would probably be happy with those fans as well.
Note that precived noise levels for something varies, what some find ok others find unacceptable.

 

[P4-630]

My case fans are Scythe, 2 years strong so far, no complaints really. So Glidestream 120mm PWM should serve me well?

I use a scythe fan with my CM212 CPU cooler, it's a 1200 rpm fan but it spins at around 1050rpm all the time, I don't hear it and does it's job well.

 

[hapkiman]

Before replacing, make sure there is not a small wire hitting the fan as it spins. Seen this before.

BTW I've always like Noctua. Great fans.

 

[jboydgolfer]

Well in my country they are among the most affordable fan brands.

Which model are you speaking of though? They range anywhere from 12 or so dollars all the way up to 30+ dollars in the US. The glidestream's are 108+ CFM and can be gotten pretty cheap, but depending on bearing type, and other options , they Can cost pretty big $'s

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Silverstone air penetrators

 

[JATownes]

I've always liked Scythe. Their Gentle Typhoons were amazing. My latest favorite are Noctua Industrial series. Like Scythe, they are pricey, but I have not had one fail yet.

JAT

 

[ASOT]

Dont get Corsair SP120 Quiet edition as they are loud at max speed,had them,u will keep them low rpm for noise level down.

Noctua got best reviews/score/performance but are more cash

 

[P4-630]

Which model are you speaking of though? They range anywhere from 12 or so dollars all the way up to 30+ dollars in the US. The glidestream's are 108+ CFM and can be gotten pretty cheap, but depending on bearing type, and other options , they Can cost pretty big $'s

I have a couple of Scythe Slip Stream's 120mm 1200rpm:

http://www.scythe-eu.com/en/products/fans/slip-stream-120.html

Around 10 Euros per fan in my country.

 

[IceScreamer]

Before replacing, make sure there is not a small wire hitting the fan as it spins. Seen this before.

BTW I've always like Noctua. Great fans.

I checked the fan, by spinning it in my hands, the whole casing vibrates a bit

 

[jboydgolfer]

Around 10 Euros per fan in my country.

Yep those are nice ones, they sell for a little under eight dollars including tax and shipping. . I like the Kaze & grandflex,as well as the slipstream. I Actually own all three currently ,each implemented amongst my for PCs

I hadn't realized that the dollar & the euro had leveled out so much. It's almost 1 to 1( exactly $1.06 for each euro ) anyway

 

[P4-630]

Yep those are nice ones, they sell for a little under eight dollars including tax and shipping. . I like the Kaze & grandflex,as well as the slipstream. I Actually own all three currently ,each implemented amongst my for PCs

I hadn't realized that the dollar & the euro had leveled out so much. It's almost 1 to 1( exactly $1.06 for each euro ) anyway

If you keep them spinning around 1000rpm they are pretty quiet and they still move around ~50cfm.

 

[techtard]

Try adding a little bit of oil or bearing grease to the fan bearings, sometimes a little bit of work will save you some $$$. As for a new fan, pretty much any modern fan is good enough. I like buying the cheaper ones myself, but I got tons of heatsinks and radspace to cool.