Fractal Design Arc Midi owners, question about case fans.

**BruceG87** · 2012-05-21, 05:10 AM

Need suggestions on replacement fans for my Fractal Arc Midi case since I have heard these stock fans are loud.
I have done a little research but I find myself mostly lost.

I want something all around that is quiet, powerful and long lasting without LED's. I am willing to spend a little extra cash(reasonably of course) to get what I want.

What are the better options out there for 120MM and 140MM size case fans?

**jmacphee9** · 2012-05-21, 05:56 AM

with 1 GPU, and 1 good CPU cooler the stock fans will work just fine.

**BruceG87** · 2012-05-22, 12:14 PM

Considering picking up a few Phanteks PH-F140TS, which would match my Phanteks CPU Cooler anyways.

Still hoping to get a bit of help here. I'm not the most informed regarding case fans atm.

**hapylol** · 2012-05-22, 01:23 PM

The Fractal Arc Midi stock fans are solid but there are definitely better ones and they are not quiet by any means.

**kidsafe** · 2012-05-22, 01:28 PM

Scythe Kama Flow 2s or Scythe Slip Streams.

**BruceG87** · 2012-05-23, 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by kidsafe

Scythe Kama Flow 2s or Scythe Slip Streams.

The Scythe Kama Flow 2s seem to have rather awesome customer reviews. However, the Slip Streams do not. :<

**tetrisGOAT** · 2012-05-23, 01:12 AM

I've personally installed the "140mm" Slip Streams in an Arc case. They are far louder, and not proper 140mm fans (he wanted them anyway), as they are 120mm fitted.
I don't have any experience with the Kama Flow.
The only other Scythe fans I have experience with are the Gentle Typhoon, and they are louder for the amount of air they move than the Fractal Design fans on the Arc. Not louder in absolute terms though, although louder than the FD-fans on the Define.

**kidsafe** · 2012-05-23, 04:17 AM

I would not recommend 140mm Slip Streams...they suffer from some frame vibration like all of those 140mm fans with 120mm mounts do.. The 120mm Slip Streams might suffer a bit when mounted horizontally, but I've personally been satisfied with them.

GTs are technically quiet at any RPM, but they have a distinct DBB whine, which is what tetrisGOAT is referring to.

**BruceG87** · 2012-05-23, 12:43 PM

I have been reading reviews on 140mm fans for the past 2 hours now.

So far the ones that seem to catch my eye are..

Phanteks PH-F140TS
Silverstone AP141, possibly AP181 if I decided to take advantage of the single 180mm side panel option.
Yate Loon 140mm medium possibly?

Phanteks gives options with their speed adapters. Also looks rather nice.
Silverstone air penetrator shined in some 140mm fan roundups.
Yate Loon takes the cake on price, that's for sure.

I am still no closer to buying new fans though. So much data to take in. :/

**noteworthynerd** · 2012-05-23, 01:27 PM

Has anyone found any other reliable reviews of the new Corsair fans? They sure do look pretty...

The noise levels on the Tom's Hardware article seem decent: http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Air...ans,15538.html

**Mikah** · 2012-05-23, 06:26 PM

If you think fan noise can be a problem, consider buying a fan speed controller. They range from 20 to 45$.

They certainly add a nice finishing touch to your case and they let you know the temperature at different area inside your case.

That way, you have a better control of noise/cooling and you can have fun trying different speed to optimize the needed airflow.

**BruceG87** · 2012-05-25, 11:49 AM

So, while I have been thinking of replacements for the stock fans, I haven't even considered the optimal placement of fans!

So, in a fractal design arc midi with a Phanteks TC14PE CPU Cooler.. what would be the optimal setup fan wise? I know ideally I want a neutral pressure setup.

Would this be the ideal fan setup?
Blue representing intake, red representing exhaust.

I have heard mixed things about having an exhaust fan behind the NH-D14. Seeing as my Phanteks TC14PE uses the same concept would that represent an issue?

Should I be using the fan mounting on the side panel? I am assuming it is a bad idea to use every fan slot simply because you have them.

**StrykerNinja** · 2012-05-25, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by BruceG87

So, while I have been thinking of replacements for the stock fans, I haven't even considered the optimal placement of fans!

So, in a fractal design arc midi with a Phanteks TC14PE CPU Cooler.. what would be the optimal setup fan wise? I know ideally I want a neutral pressure setup.

Would this be the ideal fan setup?
Blue representing intake, red representing exhaust.

I have heard mixed things about having an exhaust fan behind the NH-D14. Seeing as my Phanteks TC14PE uses the same concept would that represent an issue?

Should I be using the fan mounting on the side panel? I am assuming it is a bad idea to use every fan slot simply because you have them.

I am not an expert by any means, but I did use the 2 front as input like you showed, but instead of the second fan on top (towards the front of the case), I put it on the side exhaust. so far, everything during load has stayed under 45 deg. (no OC yet, CM Hyper 212 on the CPU)

---------- Post added 2012-05-25 at 03:17 PM ----------

DOH!

after reading a couple of other posts, looks like the side fan should be intake to supply the GPU with air, I will fix that ASAP when I get home

**BruceG87** · 2012-05-25, 10:02 PM

Fan arrangement aside.. I think I am going to opt for Yate Loons 140MM medium range fans. Between 4-6 depending on optimal fan setup and go the route of a fan controller and to adjust YL's as desired.

Not 100% yet, so I am still researching fans in hope of finding the perfect model for me. I have had a day full of disappointment with research pointing me to something with high CFM, low dB but awful mm-H20(Max pressure). Most of these "high end" fans seem to have great specs but god awful mm-H20 short of GT's apparently.

I am going to take a break and continue my search another day.

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