Cooling > Case Fans

[Sam1990]

So, I got my new case and switched everything to it, along with a new CPU fan. Well, my CPU fan is running well, it decreased my CPU temperature by about 8C. Though, my new case fans that came with the case aren't doing so well as the temperature rose about 8C.

So, what are some recommendations on what case fans to purchase from TigerDirect for under $20 that have great cooling, not from specs from TigerDirect but from personal use.

[looqas]

Can't say what are the best in TigerDirect, but generally it's better to have larger fans. Personally I've got two Akasa 90mm fans (quiet ones and no problems after 2 years of use) and a Noctua 120mm on the back panel. That one is very sweet and ultra quiet.

Noctua seems to be on top of their game according to reviews. Adda makes also good ones.

Seems that tigerdirect is short of good makers:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=494&

Thermaltake is the only one I know of. Masscool sounds like a very cheap Chinese rip-off product.

Anyway. Beware of the sleeve bearing ones and go with ball bearings.

[Sam1990]

Yah, TigerDirect sucks, all they have are 6 fans that are 120MM. I have 3 right now, but I need better ones. These look good:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1104425&CatId=802

Fast... high airflow.. not bad noise level. Might get two of those. Also wanted to ask, is it better to have the faster, higher airflow fans as intake or exhaust? And, do you guys use your side panel fan for intake or exhaust? Right now I have it at exhaust because me CPU fan points down at the video card, but it's right above the side panel fan so it just sucks it right out the PC.

[looqas]

Personally I found out that the temps dropped quite a bit when I changed the fans on the side for intake. The goal is to achieve one way air flow so any use your common sense to make it so.

Also you can try out both way. Put the fans first for intake and and use it for couple of days monitoring temps. Then reverse it.

In your case where the 8800GT blows the hot air inside the case it's more important for side fans to to get as much cool air in as possible.

Usually a 120mm at the back panel for exhaust and all the other fans for intake works pretty well.