Quietest fan with Maximum Output?

[fminus]

Perhaps someone can help me out. I have an Osmi build that can be seen here. It uses a single 140mm fan as exhaust. One thing I am a stickler over is noise. I would gladly take a silent computer in exchange for higher temps. Which 140mm fan would be the best for this? (When does RPM + m³/h become so low that it negligible in regards to pushing heat out)

I will have to use one that is not PWM as my Gigabyte board does not offer this on the fan header I am using. I had a few options I picked out, and was wondering if someone could recommend a fan, or perhaps suggest a new one.

• Noctua NF-A14 ULN 800RPM / 11,9 DBA / 79,8 m³/h
• Noctua NF-A14 ULN w./ LNA 650RPM / 9,1 DBA / 66 m³/h
  
• Noctua NF-P14s redux-90 / 900RPM / 13,2 DBA / 83 m³/h
  
• BeQuet Silent Wings 2 / 1000RPM / 15,8 DBA / 102 m³/h

 

[jtd871]

Maybe check out SPCR's fan reviews? Mike tests the fans for noise and airflow at various speeds. http://www.silentpcreview.com/section12.html

 

[MarcParis]

Personnally I'm using Fractal Design HF14 (3pins header) that is pretty good.

However what I would like to highlight is fan noise is one thing. But fan behind a grid is another thing..

 

[rokabeka]

However what I would like to highlight is fan noise is one thing. But fan behind a grid is another thing..

very much. the shape of the holes and edges, the distance from the grid, speed of air etc they all affect the noise.

 

[fminus]

As you may have noticed, my fan is placed flush with the top grid.

I guess my main question as I stated before is:

When does RPM + m³/h become so low that it negligible in regards to pushing heat out?

 

[MarcParis]

Based on my experience, 700rpm on 140mm fan is someway a good balance between quietness/performance.

 

[|||]

Blacknoise NB-eLoop for 140mm

Source: http://thermalbench.com/2016/07/29/corsair-ml140-pro-140-mm-fan/3/

Source: http://thermalbench.com/2016/02/12/blacknoise-nb-eloop-b14-ps-and-b14-3-140mm-fans/3/

Edit: For reference, the Noctua NF-A14 fans are roughly equivalent to the EK-Vardar fans in airflow-to-noise

Source: http://thermalbench.com/2015/08/19/noctua-nf-a14-ippc-2000-pwm-140mm-fan/

 

[MarcParis]

Beware that black noise eloop 14 is 29mm thick, it's better through rad..
However it's quite silent..

http://thermalbench.com/2016/02/12/blacknoise-nb-eloop-b14-ps-and-b14-3-140mm-fans/3/

 

[|||]

I never really look at free flowing tests. Unless you aren't running a filter or even a grill, there will be some flow resistance in the air flow path.

https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Effects-of-Grill-Patterns-on-Fan-Performance-Noise-107/

 

[MarcParis]

For grid as intake i prefer to look at free flowing test personnally. Now if if it's exhaust mode, results on rad are more significant i guess.
But news is that they are the same..