Short version: Can I find a better 80mm case fan than the Noctua NF-R8? Longer version: Over the Christmas holiday I'll finally have the time to upgrade my system. Most components are bought but there're a few bits I need to get. New system/case fans are among these. I originally wanted to get a new case, but it seems I can't find anything I like better than my 6 year old Lian Li PC61. So instead I'll upgrade the 3 system/case fans (2 in front, 1 in the back) instead. I have upgraded them once already when I swapped out the 3 ADDA fans for 2 Papst 8412NMGL and 1 ThermalTake Smart CaseFan II. All three fans are 80x80x25mm. The case sadly cannot hold 120mm fans (and I suck at modding). I never cared for the noise profile of either the ADDAs (which is why I replaced them), nor for their replacements, but so far I've lived with them. Now, however, I'd like to do better. So, to recap the short version: Can I find a better 80mm case fan than the Noctua NF-R8? If yes, which fan should I go for? As usual, all your input is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Make the fan hole bigger and get a Noctua 120mm? Noctua tend to be recognised as the best, so I'd stick with them myself
Like I said, I have ten thumbs, so I'd rather not ruin my case in the attempt to cut a bigger hole. But thanks for the vote on the Noctua. It does seem like a very nice fan. And for some strange reason even less pricey than some other fans I had looked at.
Thanks for a second vote on the Noctua. I was looking at the Nexus Real Silent CaseFan 80mm, but read over at SPCR that its quietness is bought at the expensive of very little airflow. Also, it is supposedly not much more quiet than the Noctua. But all this is a moot point since I ordered 3 Noctua NF-R8s this morning. To say I'm excited about *not* hearing them would be quite an understatement!
