DAE_JA_VOO wrote:Antec TriCool fans are really good, but they're about R150 a piece...
I saw in the September issue of Custom PC SA that they tested the Zalman ZM-F3 and found that at 900rpm it produced 36cfm @ 20.6dBA, and at 1800rpm it produced 87cfm @ 37.3 dBA which "is too noisy for comfort". They did, however, award it the "Best 120mm variable-speed fan"
The Antec TriCool: 16cmf @ 1200rpm @ 201.dBA, 55cfm @ 1600rpm @ 32dBA and 101cfm @ 2000rpm @ 43.2dBA and "while at medium and high speeds, it produces irritating levels of noise"
I must admit that since my TriCools are inside the P180 case, I don't find them too irritating, but seeing that I will mount 2 (maybe 3 if I go for a triple 120mm radiator) outside the case, that could be a problem.
The ZM-F3 also costs about R100 compared to the cheapest TriCool of about R130. I like the fact that the TriCool has a little switch to select between the three speeds, whereas the Zalman has a resistor cable.
How much different will the 37dBA of the Zalman be compared to the 43dBA of the Antec?
Thanx!