CPU Cooling Fan Suggestions?

[chapelhillbilly]

Hey all,

I am looking to get a cooling fan for my CPU that is pretty quiet. The one I have now is about 3 years old and it sounds like a Jet Engine. I have a Socket 478 processor in a Full Tower setup. I've heard good things about the Zolman fans but I've heard they are loud as well.

I need to get one ordered by the weekend so any advice is grately appreciated!

Always grateful,
Don

 

[electronicsfreak]

Zalman fans are great and are only loud when being pushed to their max. Thermaltake fans from what ive used are the loudest. Ive had a couple of their volcano series and they lived up to their "volcano" name. Sounds like a jet engine going on in my room. Im using a Zalman fan right now and I love it. Very quiet.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010110574+1371026032&name=Socket+478

A listing of them if you have not looked here already. All types.

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[kmcferrin]

I agree about Thermaltake. I bought a couple of their case fans awhile back, and while they really more the air they are definitely the loudest part of my PC. Much louder than the PSU or CPU fans.

 

[ATLMatt]

Make sure you use some good thermal grease as well, I use Arctic Silver 5 and it seems to make a a few degree difference.

Also, I have 120mm fan/heatsink combo, (Thermaltake's Blue Orb) which moves a lot of air at a lower RPM (thing is huge and heavy though) and is pretty quiet. Also getting bigger and more case fans, (120mm+) can help to due to increased air flow (but at a lower RPM which ussually = quieter) taking strain off the CPU fan.