Saving files while the system is asleep on Windows
Saving files while the system is asleep on Windows
NF-s12a offers 17.8 db @12V with silent operation using BeQuiet fans. For quieter performance, avoid downgrading to Noctuas, as they may boost airflow but make your PC noisier. Given the high RPMs, ensure your fans run at full speed. To balance noise and performance, consider a fan controller, a voltage adapter (12->7V or 5V), or connect them via correct motherboard headers and use Speedfan to fine-tune fan speeds for normal use and higher RPM during gaming.
Captain Chaos links to my motherboard via a splitter. They boost performance mainly during gaming. Right now they spin at 1900 and 1600 RPM. I think the only working one is the 1900rpm model, and once the other splitter arrives it won’t need to work as hard since there will be an intake on the front and a fan on top. How do I configure a fan curve in SpeedFan? Also, are three silent wings sufficient?
1900 RPM is quite high, actually exceeding their expected speed. The SW2 120mm only reaches 1500 RPM. I think the splitter has two RPM sensor wires, which might be doubling the reading. 950 RPM seems more sensible but at that pace they should be much quieter. In my setup I have three Silent Wings 2 fans (plus two on the CPU cooler), and I can confirm they supply enough airflow for an overclocked CPU and two graphics cards. Right now they spin smoothly around four feet away, and the only sounds are the WD Green HDDs idling in another room and the Twin Rozr fans from my graphics cards. For your intended use, you might even manage with just one intake fan at idle, another intake, and set the exhaust to activate when the CPU heats up. That would require two motherboard headers, which appears to be an issue in your configuration. I checked your profile and only found a CPU fan and one chassis fan header. Do you have a spare 5.25" bay? If yes, a fan controller could help you adjust each fan manually.
Captain Chaos, I’m not using Silent Wings and just have two AF120 corsairs. I was wondering about purchasing SW 2s. The motherboard only has one 3-pin header, so I’ll need a splitter. I found a spare 5.25" bay—what’s the price for fan controllers?
Corsair fans are quite loud, with AF Performane models reaching around 30dB and the Quiet series well above 20dB. This explains both their speed and noise level. If those fans came with the case, they’re likely even noisier than the ones sold separately. Quality controllers range from about ten dollars to fifty pounds, depending on features like knobs, sliders, or touchscreens. Finding three fans together is tricky since most come with four or six channels. I could offer a solid four-channel model (Lamptron FC5 v2) at a competitive price if you’re interested, though you’d still have that extra channel labeled “0 RPM.”
Yep. Antec is the worst for brand fans I've dealt with. They tend to shake a lot, which is fine outside your case but becomes annoying once installed. I usually just use a fan resistor and set the speed manually, except for the CPU where I apply resistors to lower the speed based on what the motherboard reports.
NZXT Sentry controllers are popular for their performance and reliability. You could choose a model with a touchscreen interface and add some rubber connectors for extra durability.
I used to manage my fans using a Sentry LXE (still kept it, but it's collecting dust in the PC parts storage area) and the interaction felt completely different from what you'd get on a smartphone. There was something unusual about it, but I couldn't pinpoint exactly why. If you only need to configure it once and never change it again, you'll likely overlook it. However, it can become frustrating if you rely on it often. I tend to favor sliders or knobs over touch interfaces, even though they may look less modern. Some controllers automatically set the fans to their rated voltage when the PC starts. If that voltage matches the fan's maximum capacity, the motors struggle against magnetic resistance, making them spin slowly or not at all. The positive side of the Sentry LXE was its ability to start fans at full speed within the first second and then reduce them. This means even if set to a low RPM, they still kick into action. I'm not sure about other Sentry models, so reviewing opinions or checking with owners might help. Yes, Control on the LXE only offered 100 RPM steps. Since you're not using very low speeds, that shouldn't pose an issue.