Recommendations for Quiet CPU Fan

[rkr1958]

I built my computer 18-months ago. I've been adding to and tweaking it over that time and got it configured to pretty much where I want it. Except for one thing. My computer case is an Antec quite case that includes variable speed 120-mm fans and drive trays with rubber soles to cut down on noise. However, my CPU fan sounds like a jet engine and is really oversized for my 2.6-GHz P4, socket 478, CPU. I hate to "fix" things that aren't broken but I'd like to make my PC quiter and was thinking about a new CPU fan. Any suggestions ...

[rallynavvie]

You aren't overclocking and your heatsink is of decent quality that you can use a lower speed fan on it, right? If it's an 80mm look to either the Vantec Stealth fan or a Panaflow low-speed. Both are about as quiet as an 80mm can get.

[rkr1958]

No overclocking ... my CPU currently runs around 90-deg F and usually less than 100-deg F even when under load. What I have now is a heatsink/fan combo. Do the Stealth fan and Panaflow low-speed fans include heat sink or is that separate.

[rallynavvie]

Those are just the fans. If your heatsink uses 80mm fans it might be an easy swap, but expect warmer temps with a low-speed fan (unless there's something wrong with your current fan). If you're looking for both a heatsink and fan I only have recommendations for pretty high-end heatsinks. I always replace my OEM sinks with nicer ones. I've got Swiftechs in my new rig with Panaflow medium-speed fans on them.