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SP120L PWM Fan Noise


AlphaBravo

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Background

 

I have been using a Corsair H100 since November 2012 and was satisfied with its performance. When the H100i was released, I liked the looks of it, and I wanted the Corsair Link features, so I knew that I was going to have to get it at some point. I waited for the reviews and for the bugs to be worked out, and once the fans/firmware issued seemed to be worked out, I purchased one and installed it.

 

Installation and Initial Impressions of the H100i

 

http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=116354

My new H100i came with the most current firmware (1.05) and the revised SP120L PWM (4-pin) fans. After installing the unit and the fans (in a push configuration), I was surprised at the noise coming from the fans. I was running the unit on the "Quiet Mode" at approximately 900-1000 RPM, but there was what I would describe as a "grrrrrr" sound coming from the fans. This didn't seem like it was normal, because I thought I had read that the new SP120L fans were supposed to be a little more quiet than the Corsair H100 fans. So I began to do some comparisons. Here is what I came up with.

 

Fan Testing

 

SP120L PWM Fans

 

http://s24.photobucket.com/user/saborz/media/Computer/SP120Lfannoise1.mp4.html

http://s24.photobucket.com/user/saborz/media/Computer/SP120Lfannoise2.mp4.html

 

H100 Fans

 

http://s24.photobucket.com/user/saborz/media/Computer/H100fans1-1.mp4.html

http://s24.photobucket.com/user/saborz/media/Computer/H100fans2.mp4.html

http://s24.photobucket.com/user/saborz/media/Computer/H100fans3.mp4.html

http://s24.photobucket.com/user/saborz/media/Computer/H100fans4.mp4.html

 

I thought that there may have been something wrong with my SP120L fans, so I requested another set from Corsair. James from Corsair was very helpful on the phone, and sent me another set of SP120L PWM fans. I installed those, but they sounded the same as the original set of SP120L fans.

 

Fans Not Mounted on Radiator

 

I then did a comparison of the fans when they were not mounted on the radiator.

http://s24.photobucket.com/user/saborz/media/Computer/SP120Lvs100outofcase.mp4.html

http://s24.photobucket.com/user/saborz/media/Computer/SP120Lvs100outofcase2.mp4.html

 

It seemed as though the SP120L PWM fans have a vibration in them, and that may be the source of the noise.

 

I did some research and decided to spend $50 for some Noctua NF-F12 fans. I installed them and was amazed at how quiet they were.

 

Noctua NF-F12 Fans

 

http://s24.photobucket.com/user/saborz/media/Computer/Noctuafans.mp4.html

 

My hope is that this thread will be a resource for those that are concerned about the noise coming from their SP120L PWM fans.

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How did you have your fans mounted? I experienced this issue with 2 sets of fans as well when i had them mounted in push exhaust on the top of my case. Anytime I tried using the fans to push/pull air upwards I get a grinding noise, seems like an imbalance in the fan design itself. Switching to intake quieted them down for the most part.
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Evidently the bearings don't like the weight added to the force. It's all in one direction with the fans pointed up. With them pointed down, the force partially balances against the weight and the bearings like it better.
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How did you have your fans mounted? I experienced this issue with 2 sets of fans as well when i had them mounted in push exhaust on the top of my case. Anytime I tried using the fans to push/pull air upwards I get a grinding noise, seems like an imbalance in the fan design itself. Switching to intake quieted them down for the most part.

 

I had them mounted below the radiator, pushing air up through the radiator and out of the top of the case.

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Evidently the bearings don't like the weight added to the force. It's all in one direction with the fans pointed up. With them pointed down, the force partially balances against the weight and the bearings like it better.

 

There was also a vibration when they were standing vertically on my computer stand.

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This is exactly what I had discovered with these fans. Unless they were mounted horizontally in the intake position they would make the 'grrr' noise. One fan was particularly bad but all 4 that I tested produced the same sounds unless they were flat and blowing air downwards.
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of course their tested but to test under every possible software/hardware configuration is when it becomes impossible to do.

 

We're talking about mounting position of fans and the noise generated in a darn standard position that should be basic to check.

 

also 3rd party monitoring programs have been known to conflict

 

I know. Mentioned it many times.

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  • 1 month later...

I wanted to update this thread my my latest testing/findings.

 

After using the Noctua NF-F12s and being very satisfied with them, my curiosity got the better of me. Corsair ended up releasing a PWM version of the SP120 High Performance Edition fans, and I just had to see what they sounded like, so I ordered a pair and installed them on my H100i.

 

Results

 

1) They look fantastic mounted to the H100i. I have the white rings on them, and I really like the way they look.

 

2) When controlling them with the Corsair Link Cooling Node, I can only get just over 2000 RPM out of them (they are rated for 2350 RPM). That is not a major problem for me. Other than that issue, they are fully controllable with the Cooling Node.

 

3) They do not exhibit any of the "grrrrring" sound that the SP120L fans have. I would say that they are as quiet as the Noctua NF-F12 fans up to about 1500 RPM. Above 1500 RPM, the additional noise that is introduced is just the sound of a lot of air moving through them.

 

Nocuta NF-F12 and the Corsair SP120 High Performance Edition PWM

(fans are at low RPM, I believe around 700 to 800 RPM)

 

Noctua NF-F12

http://s24.photobucket.com/user/saborz/media/Computer/NoctuaNFF12.mp4.html

 

Corsair SP120 High Performance PWM

http://s24.photobucket.com/user/saborz/media/Computer/CorsairSP120PWM.mp4.html

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I wanted to update this thread my my latest testing/findings.

 

After using the Noctua NF-F12s and being very satisfied with them, my curiosity got the better of me. Corsair ended up releasing a PWM version of the SP120 High Performance Edition fans, and I just had to see what they sounded like, so I ordered a pair and installed them on my H100i.

 

Results

 

1) They look fantastic mounted to the H100i. I have the white rings on them, and I really like the way they look.

 

2) When controlling them with the Corsair Link Cooling Node, I can only get just over 2000 RPM out of them (they are rated for 2350 RPM). That is not a major problem for me. Other than that issue, they are fully controllable with the Cooling Node.

 

3) They do not exhibit any of the "grrrrring" sound that the SP120L fans have. I would say that they are as quiet as the Noctua NF-F12 fans up to about 1500 RPM. Above 1500 RPM, the additional noise that is introduced is just the sound of a lot of air moving through them.

 

Nocuta NF-F12 and the Corsair SP120 High Performance Edition PWM

(fans are at low RPM, I believe around 700 to 800 RPM)

 

Noctua NF-F12

http://s24.photobucket.com/user/saborz/media/Computer/NoctuaNFF12.mp4.html

 

Corsair SP120 High Performance PWM

http://s24.photobucket.com/user/saborz/media/Computer/CorsairSP120PWM.mp4.html

 

The new PWM fans do sound much better.

I usually hear the 'grrrrr' sound around 1200 RPM. How do the fans sound at around 1200 RPM?

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  • 8 months later...

I have just bought the H105 and I have the same problem. The two included SP120L fans make quite a lot of noise. If I set PWM to manual and turn the slope all the way down, it´s borderline bearable. But if the rpm gets over 1200 they start making a lot of noise.

 

Kinda strange for a set of fans that should be able to run at 2700rpm?

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  • 1 month later...

This was the thread I needed to see. I'm having the exact same issue with my H100i configuration (installed facing up, terrible grinding noises since day one). Frankly unacceptable for a supposedly premium product.

 

I've ordered a High Performance SP120 PWM set as a replacement. I wanted to go for the Noctuas (on principle more than anything) but they're more expensive and an odd colour. In any case, here's hoping the purchase will put an end to my high-end rig sounding like a piece of junk!

 

Thanks for the thread.

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I wanted to update this thread my my latest testing/findings.

 

After using the Noctua NF-F12s and being very satisfied with them, my curiosity got the better of me. Corsair ended up releasing a PWM version of the SP120 High Performance Edition fans, and I just had to see what they sounded like, so I ordered a pair and installed them on my H100i.

 

Results

 

1) They look fantastic mounted to the H100i. I have the white rings on them, and I really like the way they look.

 

2) When controlling them with the Corsair Link Cooling Node, I can only get just over 2000 RPM out of them (they are rated for 2350 RPM). That is not a major problem for me. Other than that issue, they are fully controllable with the Cooling Node.

 

3) They do not exhibit any of the "grrrrring" sound that the SP120L fans have. I would say that they are as quiet as the Noctua NF-F12 fans up to about 1500 RPM. Above 1500 RPM, the additional noise that is introduced is just the sound of a lot of air moving through them.

 

Nocuta NF-F12 and the Corsair SP120 High Performance Edition PWM

(fans are at low RPM, I believe around 700 to 800 RPM)

 

Noctua NF-F12

http://s24.photobucket.com/user/saborz/media/Computer/NoctuaNFF12.mp4.html

 

Corsair SP120 High Performance PWM

http://s24.photobucket.com/user/saborz/media/Computer/CorsairSP120PWM.mp4.html

 

Do you use the LNA adaptors that comes with your NF-F12's?

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This was the thread I needed to see. I'm having the exact same issue with my H100i configuration (installed facing up, terrible grinding noises since day one). Frankly unacceptable for a supposedly premium product.

 

I've ordered a High Performance SP120 PWM set as a replacement. I wanted to go for the Noctuas (on principle more than anything) but they're more expensive and an odd colour. In any case, here's hoping the purchase will put an end to my high-end rig sounding like a piece of junk!

 

Thanks for the thread.

 

I am glad this was helpful for you. Hopefully it helps others also. I am still enjoying my SP120 PWM fans and am very glad I made the switch.

 

Do you use the LNA adaptors that comes with your NF-F12's?

 

No. I run them without the LNAs.

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I am glad this was helpful for you. Hopefully it helps others also. I am still enjoying my SP120 PWM fans and am very glad I made the switch.

 

What a difference! Night and day. The machine is damn near silent, no more constant growling in various pitches as load goes up and down.

 

Plus, the fans look great with my GS700. :cool:

 

I'm surprised that they appear near-identical to the stock fans, save for the coloured ring and the rubber mounting mechanism (!). Did you notice that? I assume any vibration is absorbed rather than transferring to the radiator.

 

Can't believe I put up with that crap for six months. Corsair would do very well to ship these fans with the H100i as stock, I'm know a lot of people have been mistaking that noise for pump noise (understandable assumption).

 

Thanks again.

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What a difference! Night and day. The machine is damn near silent, no more constant growling in various pitches as load goes up and down.

 

Plus, the fans look great with my GS700. :cool:

 

I'm surprised that they appear near-identical to the stock fans, save for the coloured ring and the rubber mounting mechanism (!). Did you notice that? I assume any vibration is absorbed rather than transferring to the radiator.

 

Can't believe I put up with that crap for six months. Corsair would do very well to ship these fans with the H100i as stock, I'm know a lot of people have been mistaking that noise for pump noise (understandable assumption).

 

Thanks again.

 

I'm not exactly sure why the SP (non L) fans are so much better. Like you said, many people probably think that the pumps are noisy, but it is really the SP120L version fans. It is strange that the L version is really that noisy.

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  • 1 month later...

This was the info I had been looking for, great thread AlphaBravo ,thanks!

 

I bought a Corsair 750D case and a H105 cooler a couple days ago.

 

After setting everything up, starting up was fine, everything worked as it should, etc but I immediately noticed a vibrating sound, which is going through the entire case because of the fans :/

 

I went to buy rubber antivibration pads & grommets, set those in between everything(fan>rad>case), it reduced some of the vibration but the overall case vibration remains unfortunately. It's like a "moaning" and "wavy" vibration sound.

 

I also noticed that the top grill, where the radiator is mounted to(with rubber grommets in between), vibrates because of the air that's being blown through it, at least that's what I think is causing the vibration on that particular part of the case.

 

 

Gonna have to look for some new pressure fans I guess :/

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I Actually got A H105 And was impressed by the SP120L Fans ...

I Think I might been Lucky on that one

Since My RMAed H100 got Replaced By a H100i

So Now I have the H105 in Push/Pull with the 4 SP120L's That I got

and I noticed that the Once that Came with The H100i Made A noise that sounded like a stationary car

 

I already requested A Replacement For those Fans or a full Refund of the H100i

This is already my 5th Unit and The Only thing that has ever been out of the box are those fans

 

I also Like to note that The SP120L Fans are not all the same fans

The once from The H105 will not run lower than 750 RPM while the once that came with the H100i seem to go below that (I believe Those run Around 650 RPM as lowest speed)

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