Would silverstone air penetrators make for decent exhaust fans?


  1. Posts : 391
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
       #1

    Would silverstone air penetrators make for decent exhaust fans?


    I plan on upgrading my case to a Bitfenix Shinobi, and when I get the new case I would also like to revise my cooling. In the front of my Antec Three Hundred I currently have 2 Silverstone Air Penetrators. These fans are rated for low CFM, but due to their design channel air far more effectively, their description is like a concentrated cylinder of moving air, rather than a spread out outwards cone of weaker air movement.

    I would use them as front mounted intake fans, except they are the LED version, and give the best visual effect I have seen (the whole fan blade circle is strongly lit with blue light, rather than conventional LED fans with strips of strength with fading light levels further away from the LEDs mounted in the frame, this is because in Air Penetrators the LEDs are mounted in the centre bearing). Because of their stunning visuals, I would rather have them visable, meaning in the top mounted fan brackets, but this means they would be functioning as exhaust fans (who mounts intake fans on the top of their case anyway?).

    I am unsure however because their airflow is far lower than many fans (only about 35 CFM, you can check it here: SilverStone Technology Co., Ltd.- AP121-L), does anyone have experience or the know to tell me weather these would be effective exhaust fans? To help them I would look at some serious intake fans to help push air though, but my main concern right now is the effectiveness of the fans I already own as exhaust.

    Thanks :)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,240
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #2

    After looking at your link and reading the article on the fans. It seems to be an intake fan that has, and I quote, "focus airflow into a column that can be channeled through various obstacles inside the modern computer case for more efficient cooling performance". So it seems to be designed as a new technological brake through in air intake but I don't see why one couldn't use it as an exhaust fan. This has got me quite interested in trying a couple of these in my case and seeing if it really does what is says it can do....mount one to the side panel pointing directly onto the GPU with focused clean cool outside fresh air would be a big plus.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 24,479
    Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
       #3

    Yes the Air Penetrators like like fine intake fans but have low air flow. I think a high CFM fan would be more suited as exhaust to pull the max air out. Bringing in air in more of a column does sound better than a spreading cone of air.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 391
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hmmm...Although I don't really want to I have to agree, its just that they have such awesome LEDs that it seems a shame to have them completely hidden (the Shinobi's front intake fans are completely hidden, you wont even be able to see the light from them). Can anyone suggest a good high CFM, yet silent as possible fan for exhaust? 120mm or 140mm will both fit.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #5

    Tomha said:
    Can anyone suggest a good high CFM, yet silent as possible fan for exhaust? 120mm or 140mm will both fit.
    How high is "high CFM"?

    How quiet is "silent as possible"? No fans are silent.

    "High CFM" and "silent as possible" are contradictions.

    You have to experiment to know if a fan cools "enough" and is quiet "enough".

    Don't expect the fan's published specs to tell you much--they are typically misleading or exaggerated. Lots of snake oil for the gullible--marketing drivel.

    Good brands are Scythe, Nexus, Noctua, but they may lack the flashing lights you crave.

    If you are interested in low noise, look at Silent PC Review.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 249
    Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit SP1
       #6

    I agree with all the replies - good advice.

    If you want to browse through a vast selection of fans, I recommend DigiKey:

    Fans, Thermal Management | Fans - DC | Digi-Key

    I have made several purchases from them & will continue to do so in the future. Their search filter is a little complicated, but all fans are listed on a chart showing RPM, noise level, CFM, & much more.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,240
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #7

    I have two of these in my case and they work great and very quite.

    Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Fans & Heatsinks, Case Fans, Nexus
      My Computer


 

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