Be Quiet Case Fans

stevenrw · May 29, 2013, 14:27:57

I'm hoping this is the right board for this question. I have just bought a couple of Be Quiet! Shadow Wings PWM case fans to replace the noisy ones in my Antec case.
Simple question - does anybody use these fans, because I can't find anything on the fan casing to tell me either rotation direction, low pressure/high pressure sides or air flow direction. Website gives every possible bit of info except the one bit you really need.
I'm guessing the main logo on the hub needs to be visible, but that assumes the fans are mostly used for air exhaust, which ain't necessarily so.
I'm just trying to avoid unplugging and replugging everything.
Can anybody help please?

Steve · May 29, 2013, 14:51:19

If there are no arrows to show airflow direction, it normally flows out in the direction that the blades are attached to the frame body, therefore bottom and front of case = air in , back and top air out.

stevenrw · May 29, 2013, 15:14:11

Thanks Steve for your prompt reply. The fans to be replaced are back and top, so yes I agree with you that the air needs to be exhausted from the case, its the new fans that don't have the flow direction marked, not the old noisy ones. I'm trying to find out which way to install the new BeQuiet fans to give me the right airflow, because they have no markings.

Steve · May 29, 2013, 15:32:28

The side that the body of the fan attaches to the fan frame is usually the side at which the air flows out of.

Glenn · May 29, 2013, 16:28:31

Replace one fan but don't fit it, start the PC then feel the air flow direction, then mount to exhaust the case.

stevenrw · May 29, 2013, 16:31:34

Right - thanks Steve, that's a good tip, and exactly what I needed. This is the kind of computer "folklore" that isn't common knowledge. I'll get back to you in due course with confirmation.
As always, thanks everybody for taking the time to help out.

stevenrw · May 30, 2013, 14:56:21

Update: Steve was right, fan "frame" is on low pressure side of the fan. All sorted, very happy bunny. Thanks again guys....

psp83 · May 30, 2013, 15:04:03

What are the fans like? I've been using Corsair AF/SP series.

On these, the main logo side sucks the air in.

stevenrw · May 30, 2013, 15:35:00

They are very quiet. Rubberised mounts and no screwdriver required, just a kind of push-in long rivet thingy. (Might be a struggle to remove if necessary). Without doubt a premium product, albeit at a premium price. I have the Shadow Wings, and there's an even quieter range called Silent Wings. I couldn't justify the extra cost especially as I run a WD Caviar Black system drive and they are noisier than any fan you are likely to use

They do PWM (4pin) and non controlled (3 pin) versions of all sizes.
However, both these ranges, I believe, are more suitable for case fans where there is a fair bit of space. I do need a fan for my drive bay and, funnily enough, was looking at the Corsair SP range.
So maybe you could tell me the story on those also

Steve · May 30, 2013, 16:15:59

Quote from: psp83 on May 30, 2013, 15:04:03
What are the fans like? I've been using Corsair AF/SP series.

On these, the main logo side sucks the air in.

That would fit with what I said ie blow out through the side where they mount to the frame as the logo normally sits on the opposite side on the flat portion at the centre of the blades.

psp83 · May 30, 2013, 16:54:50

Quote from: stevenrw on May 30, 2013, 15:35:00
So maybe you could tell me the story on those also

SP fans are good fans if you've got something really close, e.g. a drive bay or a rad.

In my case "Fractal Design Define R4" it holds 2 fans at the front, the bottom one is a Corsair SP 120 (wish they did a 140) that is blowing air into the bay that holds 3 hard drives, the fan on top this one is a Corsair AF 140, I have the drive bay removed in front of this one so it blows cold air into the case, over the GPU & CPU.

My setup is for positive air flow, 2 front intakes & 1 rear exhaust. I find this normally helps keep the dust down (as well as using fan filters)

If I wanted to I could fit another intake at the bottom of the case next to the PSU and another 2 exhausts in the roof of the case.

psp83 · May 30, 2013, 17:03:50

Oh, and here's a review of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFi39czpsac

Technical Ben · Jun 16, 2013, 10:09:59

I still cannot watch that review... sorry. Just seems... "wrong". It's like... are they trying to sell fans, or make fans of something else? Anyhow, they need all those fans in the background, as the room looks "hot".