Which Fan should I choose for Node 202?

[numcapsule]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for reading

I need help in choosing Fans for Node 202, I am a bit struggle as there are so many types

Following are the list. Could you please take a look and let me know which one do you think is the best for Node 202?
Feel free to recommend me any other Fan as well

Thank you very much.

1. Noctua - NF-A12x15 FLX 55.4 CFM 120mm Fan
2. Fractal Design - HP12-PWM 61.4 CFM 120mm Fan
3. Thermaltake - Riing 12 LED Red 40.6 CFM 120mm Fan
4. Noctua - NF-F12 PWM 55.0 CFM 120mm Fan
5. Noctua - NF-A4x10 4.8 CFM 40mm Fan
6. Noctua - NF-P12 PWM 120mm Fan
7. Prolimatech - Ultra Sleek Vortex 12 55.7 CFM 120mm Fan
8. Corsair - ML120 Pro 75.0 CFM 120mm Fan
9. Corsair - ML120 75.0 CFM 120mm Fans

 

[Freeks]

Where should the fans be mounted? In the GPU-compartment? What graphics card do you wanna use?

 

[numcapsule]

Where should the fans be mounted? In the GPU-compartment? What graphics card do you wanna use?

Thanks. I believe it can be mounted only in the GPU Compartment right?
This is my GPU GTX 970 Zotac
https://www.zotac.com/us/product/graphics_card/gtx-970#spec

Thanks

 

[Freeks]

Well you have a standard (not oversized) 2 slot graphics card and the Node 202 supports 2 120mm fans with about 10-15mm thickness (according to https://support.fractal-design.com/...aphics-card-limitations-and-fan-possibilities )
I don't believe static pressure fans won't make much of a difference so you should go with the most silent one and adjust the fan curve to get the best of both worlds. Although I really couldn't get my 970 that silent in the node 202 (sold gpu and case a year ago).
I like Noctua and don't care for RGB, so unless anybody has negative experience with that combo I'd go with your 1. Noctua - NF-A12x15 FLX 55.4 CFM 120mm Fan

 

[NateDawg72]

If you've got a standard not oversized graphics card then you can fit 120x25mm fans in there. Clearance between the fans and the card will be very tight but it fits

Example from some random build over at linus tech tips forum:

FWIW, I fit a card with a Morpheus II heatsink and 120x15mm fans in there. I'd say clearance was -1mm (the fans pushed the card upwards slightly, the riser card assembly isn't totally rigid)

 

[Freeks]

Isn't the fan frame choking the blower-intake? I would love to see a temperature comparison with and without the fans.

 

[NateDawg72]

I didn't mean to distract from the OP's question with a blower card, but the fan hub is not lined up with the GPU intake so it doesn't really hurt its intake. The fans aren't very useful with a blower card though since the node 202 allows very little airflow throughout the case.

I personally wasn't using a blower card when I had fans in my node 202. I just didn't have pictures of that on hand.

 

[Freeks]

I didn't mean to distract from the OP's question with a blower card, but the fan hub is not lined up with the GPU intake so it doesn't really hurt its intake.

Thx for the info.

So the 25mm fans would fit snugly, but could it be less noisy with the 15mm fans since you can keep the rubber corners of the fan and have less vibration transfer from fan to case and gpu to fan ?

Edit:
Oh, I just realized, that you loose the GPU-standoff if you add 120mm fans to the 202. But I guess it doesn't matter. My Sentry doesn't need one and that Zotac 970 doesn't look that heavy.

 

[NateDawg72]

You can keep the rubber corners of the fan, I don't know why that guy on the LTT forum took them off. My NF-F12s fit fine.

Personally I prefer the fan over the GPU stand off - both will keep the graphics card in place but one provides better airflow for axial fan cards. The GPU can't sag since the fans fit so snuggly

 

[NateDawg72]

@numcapsule

Of all the fans you've listed I like the Corsair ML fans, but many of those are good fans. I have a node 202 and my experience is that even with case fans the GPU will get much warmer and louder than if it was outside the case. The node 202 doesn't let the hot air out very well
The case fans do help though