Yes, you can use any fan on an Enermax ETS T40 white cluster.
Yes, you can use any fan on an Enermax ETS T40 white cluster.
The back fan is making a loud noise, and the new white 120 mm Corsair fans are available. Could I install two of these as replacements for the existing ones on the ETS T40?
4 pin fans perform adequately with a 4 pin PWM header... less effectively with 3 or 4 pin DCV headers.
Fans start to be heard around 850 rpm... reaching 2000 rpm becomes quite noticeable... listen closely... under 50% CPU load (1300 rpm) I’m irritated... at 55% load (1300 rpm) I’d like to leave the room... and at 70% load (2000 rpm) I begin to hear real fans spinning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTf0Vq1j4Ec
Regarding PWM... it has pros and cons. Among the drawbacks:
a) Low-speed hum or clicking
b) Expense
c) With Corsair PWM, speed control drops when more than 2 or 3 fans are active on each channel
A solution exists to balance both: a PWM => DCV converter fan hub. These cost around $15 but can save at least $5 per fan.
You can replace the 120mm fans. It's recommended to keep PWM type fans for optimal power, speed, and noise control.
It depends on your objectives... if "looking awesome" is the sole factor, then feel free to go ahead.
If performance or sound quality matters, I’d focus more on fans that excel in these areas. We primarily use Phanteks fans, mainly the PH-F120SP and PH-F140SP models.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1345-page7.html
The Top 20
Phanteks PH-F140HP/TS
Noctua NF-A14 FLX
Noctua NF-A15 PWM
Noiseblocker B12-2
Noctua NF-P14 FLX
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120-12
Noiseblocker M12-S1
Corsair AF120 Quiet
Corsair AF120 Performance
Thermalright TR-TY150
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120-14
Xigmatek XAF-F1453
Nexus Real Silent
Xigmatek XLF-F1453
Noiseblocker B12-PS
Corsair SP120 Quiet
be quiet! Silent Wings 2
Noiseblocker M12-S2
Antec TrueQuiet 120
Noiseblocker M12-P
Depends on your objectives... if "looking awesome" is the sole factor, then feel free to go ahead.
If performance or noise levels matter, I’d focus more on fans that perform better here.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1345-page7.html
The Top 20
Phanteks PH-F140HP/TS
Noctua NF-A14 FLX
Noctua NF-A15 PWM
Noiseblocker B12-2
Noctua NF-P14 FLX
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120-12
Noiseblocker M12-S1
Corsair AF120 Quiet
Corsair AF120 Performance
Thermalright TR-TY150
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120-14
Xigmatek XAF-F1453
Nexus Real Silent
Xigmatek XLF-F1453
Noiseblocker B12-PS
Corsair SP120 Quiet
be quiet! Silent Wings 2
Noiseblocker M12-S2
Antec TrueQuiet 120
Noiseblocker M12-P
Just noted that since the ml120 series Corsair fans spin at 2000 rpm, they should offer strong cooling while also providing white LEDs. Would they be bulky on the heatsink? Thanks for the suggestions—I’ll check further.
They’re also described as 4-pin devices, so I’d expect them to be RPM-based.
Four-pin fans perform adequately with a 4-pin PWM header... but struggle with 3 or 4-pin DCV headers.
Noise becomes noticeable around 850 rpm... reaching 2000 rpm is quite loud... listen closely... under 50% CPU load (1300 rpm) I’m irritated... at 55% load (1300 rpm) I’d like to leave the room... and at 70% load (2000 rpm) I start hearing real fans spinning.
Regarding PWM... it offers both benefits and drawbacks. The downsides include:
a) Low-speed hum or clicking
b) Higher cost
c) Loss of speed control when using Corsair PWM with multiple fans per channel
A solution exists to combine the pros and cons: a PWM → DCV converter fan hub. These cost around $15 but save at least $5 per fan. With three fans, the savings are minimal.
Connect the CPU PWM header to the hub; it converts the signal into voltage, giving you PWM’s low-speed control benefits while reducing noise and cost.
For your setup—three fans on coolers and two on your case—you can manage all five fans from a single fan header. If the total current stays under 1 amp (usually with 5 or 6 fans), you won’t need to connect the SATA power cable to the hub.
Keep in mind that adding more fans at lower speeds is much better than fewer fans at higher speeds. Just note that some coolers have special attachments for fans.
Alternative options:
- [Newegg product link](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6835709041)
- Another option with a 20% discount (promo code PHANTEKJULYBMA), available until 7/28: [link](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6835709037)