Noctua NF-F12 iPPC-3000 PWM vs Corsair SP120 PWM on Antminer S5

[lex_minutor]

After reading about the SP120 on the Antminer S5 thread I decided to give it a shot.
Tested fans:
Noctua NF-F12 iPPC-3000 PWM 3000rpm - http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=80&lng=en
Corsair SP120 PWM 2350rpm max - http://www.corsair.com/it-it/air-series-sp120-pwm-high-performance-edition-high-static-pressure-fan-twin-pack

The NF-F12 is about 50% more expensive than the SP120, $16 vs $24 each (prices from amazon)

All the tests were done on the same Antminer S5 using the same default 350M frequency.
The room was at a constant 65F and each run involved powering down the S5 then running it for 15 minutes before getting results.

Using 2 NF-F12s in push/pull configuration:
49C/51C | 1800rpm/1920rpm

Using 1 NF-F12 as push fan:
50C/54C | 1920rpm

Using 1 SP120 as push fan and 1 NF-F12 as pull fan:
55C/57C | 1680rpm/2280rpm

Using 2 SP120s in push/pull configuration:
59C/62C | 1800rpm/2040rpm

I will remark that the NF-F12s are about 5db louder at 1 foot distance but in the end I will stick with the NF-F12s since they provide better cooling.
The SP120s may be better when used on a heatsink but I think the high static pressure may not do as much good over the 10in of heatsink on the S5.
In the end the 110CFM of the NF-F12 won out over 63CFM of the SP120
Let me know if you have any questions.

[1714942465]

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[1714942465]

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[1714942465]

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[chek2fire]

Noctua is much expensive but is greater from any other fan out there. Imo noctua has the best fans and is far away better from crosair

[dogie]

noctua has the best fans and is far away better from crosair

They're 2 fans at different performance points used for different purposes - I'm not sure how you can can compare entire brands' of products based on that.

[chek2fire]

I have use many of them in my desktops for many years now. in my opinion the noctua fan is the most silent of all of them.

[dogie]

Hmm I think the S5 and the S4 use the same fans, I wonder how these would work on the S4.

Yes they do, and possibly in a lower ambient setting. S5s have different cooling changes to S4s which use a brute force approach so its pushing it.

[alh]

Hmm I think the S5 and the S4 use the same fans, I wonder how these would work on the S4.

Yes they do, and possibly in a lower ambient setting. S5s have different cooling changes to S4s which use a brute force approach so its pushing it.

So the NF-F12 Is 109CF

This fan is 119 at max: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835553002

and still seems pretty silent, any reason why this wouldn't work also?

Sorry I was talking about the Antminer Fans for S4 and S5, I should have posted this in the thread.(Didn't mean to pm you dogie)

One thing that isn't obvious is that the fans for the S5 and the SP20 seems to require a fair amount of static pressure to get the actual colling effect. The CFM (volume of air moved) isn't the only consideration as I understand it. You might find a higher CFM doesn't actually yield the result you expect, because it doesn't have a high enough static pressure.

[paulk11087]

Can you give us figures of actual db from the miner, especially compared to stock? i know some reviewers were saying at 4 ft, stock fans on the S5 are around 75 db. i'm very interested since I have my 2 s5's and an s3 set up in an office where the noise is just unbearable

[Biodom]

Can you give us figures of actual db from the miner, especially compared to stock? i know some reviewers were saying at 4 ft, stock fans on the S5 are around 75 db. i'm very interested since I have my 2 s5's and an s3 set up in an office where the noise is just unbearable

I did use Noctua in push and Scythe Ultra kaze in pull. Two Noctuas/miner are expensive.
Both together gave ~55 dB vs 73-75dB for stock at default speed. It was still a little annoying in the office, but totally fine in another room.

if anybody wants, I have two Delta AFB1212SH-PWM fans which i don't really need since I sold my S5s
These seem to have similar(if not better) air pressure and CFM to Noctua and they are less expensive (advertized as 46 dB, but typically i don't believe these claims)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835213011

[Minerkev]

Did you power the noctuas from the s5 mainboard?

[Biodom]

Did you power the noctuas from the s5 mainboard?

Yes, I did (if you mean on the controller in the middle). One small rail on the connector is in the way, so I clipped it off.

[jstefanop]

Any reason why these wouldn't work?

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-SickleFlow-120-Radiators/dp/B0046U6DTC/ref=sr_1_2_m?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1432140544&sr=1-2&keywords=coolmaster+fan

They push 90 CFM at 2k RPM

[Minerkev]

Put on the noctuas today....they are quiter than original....did push/pull
Temp now is 67 and 65c with the original i never got over 52c....so will return them to seller i guess 

[philipma1957]

Any reason why these wouldn't work?

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-SickleFlow-120-Radiators/dp/B0046U6DTC/ref=sr_1_2_m?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1432140544&sr=1-2&keywords=coolmaster+fan

They push 90 CFM at 2k RPM

151 cfm delta as a push and a  silverstone 141  does 170 cfm as a pull   this works.  link for the silverstone

http://www.amazon.com/Silverstone-Cooler-Computer-Cooling-FHP-141/dp/B00A460TK6/ref=sr_1_1?

the delta

http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Electronics-AFB1212SHE-120x120x38mm-connector/dp/B004Y1HLA8/ref=sr_1_3?


there is a better push  then the delta , but I am tired and not feel like looking around my post lists for it.

this may be it

http://www.amazon.com/Scythe-DFS123812H-3000-Ultra-Kaze-120mm/dp/B001JKNMBE/ref=pd_cp_147_2?

[gablay12]

If we change the fan, does our miner get out of guarantee?

[gablay12]

Did you power the noctuas from the s5 mainboard?

Yes, I did (if you mean on the controller in the middle). One small rail on the connector is in the way, so I clipped it off.

I have Noctua NF-F12 IndustrialPPC - 3000 PWM , mine does not work with the 4 pin rail (where the original fan was connected).
Is there a reason for not working?Do I need to make a modification?I power the fan from the PSU.

[Biodom]

Did you power the noctuas from the s5 mainboard?

Yes, I did (if you mean on the controller in the middle). One small rail on the connector is in the way, so I clipped it off.

I have Noctua NF-F12 IndustrialPPC - 3000 PWM , mine does not work with the 4 pin rail (where the original fan was connected).
Is there a reason for not working?Do I need to make a modification?I power the fan from the PSU.

few things:
1. if you are powering the fan from the PSU (through molex adapter), then why are you talking about 4 pin connector on the miner?
2. in order to properly fit Noctuas connector to the 4 pin connector on S5 controller, you would need to clip a small black ridge on Noctua connector with a nail clipper or something like this, otherwise the plastic side on S5 connector is bent and the connection is not good. Make sure that you are connecting it in proper orientation and engage all pins.
3. Also noctua is very silent on low speeds, so you have to look carefully if blades are moving. It could take a few seconds after you restart the miner for blades to start rotating.

[gablay12]

Did you power the noctuas from the s5 mainboard?

Yes, I did (if you mean on the controller in the middle). One small rail on the connector is in the way, so I clipped it off.

I have Noctua NF-F12 IndustrialPPC - 3000 PWM , mine does not work with the 4 pin rail (where the original fan was connected).
Is there a reason for not working?Do I need to make a modification?I power the fan from the PSU.

few things:
1. if you are powering the fan from the PSU (through molex adapter), then why are you talking about 4 pin connector on the miner?
2. in order to properly fit Noctuas connector to the 4 pin connector on S5 controller, you would need to clip a small black ridge on Noctua connector with a nail clipper or something like this, otherwise the plastic side on S5 connector is bent and the connection is not good. Make sure that you are connecting it in proper orientation and engage all pins.
3. Also noctua is very silent on low speeds, so you have to look carefully if blades are moving. It could take a few seconds after you restart the miner for blades to start rotating.

1.I have no problem with the fan when powered by the PSU.
2.I will search for the bridge.
3.No,it is dead silent.It is not working.The industrial fan is not so silent.

[Biodom]

Did you power the noctuas from the s5 mainboard?

Yes, I did (if you mean on the controller in the middle). One small rail on the connector is in the way, so I clipped it off.

I have Noctua NF-F12 IndustrialPPC - 3000 PWM , mine does not work with the 4 pin rail (where the original fan was connected).
Is there a reason for not working?Do I need to make a modification?I power the fan from the PSU.

few things:
1. if you are powering the fan from the PSU (through molex adapter), then why are you talking about 4 pin connector on the miner?
2. in order to properly fit Noctuas connector to the 4 pin connector on S5 controller, you would need to clip a small black ridge on Noctua connector with a nail clipper or something like this, otherwise the plastic side on S5 connector is bent and the connection is not good. Make sure that you are connecting it in proper orientation and engage all pins.
3. Also noctua is very silent on low speeds, so you have to look carefully if blades are moving. It could take a few seconds after you restart the miner for blades to start rotating.

1.I have no problem with the fan when powered by the PSU.
2.I will search for the bridge.
3.No,it is dead silent.It is not working.The industrial fan is not so silent.

bridge? something is lost in translation
you just need to clip off or file off the small bump/ridge in the middle of noctua connector (no bridge is required), then connect to s5 in proper orientation.
in addition-do you have the 4 pin pwm connector on your noctua? if you have 3 pin instead, then it would not work on the S5 controller.

[sajidfbi]

Noctua NF-F12 iPPC-3000 PWM 3000rpm seems to be good one as per your result, and i think it's noise a bit less then originally attached fan with s5.

[zagamon]

Here is my two pennies worth on the subject.

I did buy a single (just push) Noctua NF-F12 iPPC-3000 to see just how well it would perform compared to the original jet engine.
Even at full speed (2780 rpm) it could not cool the miner properly at 26 C room temperature. It would keep the miner at a constant of
63 degrees Celsius. About the same performance as the original at 35% fan speed. But the noise of the original at 35% is lower (and somewhat duller)
than the noise Noctua NF-F12 iPPC-3000 produces at full speed. Based on this experience alone, I would be hesitant to call the Noctua NF-F12 iPPC-3000
an upgrade.

[VirosaGITS]

Here is my two pennies worth on the subject.

I did buy a single (just push) Noctua NF-F12 iPPC-3000 to see just how well it would perform compared to the original jet engine.
Even at full speed (2780 rpm) it could not cool the miner properly at 26 C room temperature. It would keep the miner at a constant of
63 degrees Celsius. About the same performance as the original at 35% fan speed. But the noise of the original at 35% is lower (and somewhat duller)
than the noise Noctua NF-F12 iPPC-3000 produces at full speed. Based on this experience alone, I would be hesitant to call the Noctua NF-F12 iPPC-3000
an upgrade.

Two of them should be an upgrade, personally i want to try the silverstone 140m FHP-141. IT has much more CFM and the noise is better. It cost less. I don't see an upside to the Noctua.

[majestymage]

some good suggestion for fan replacement here... another good fan seems to be Scythe Ultra Kaze 120 mm 3000 RPM.... just one little thing that i do not know....how do i know what fan is build for push or for pull from its characteristics? or it is something that i setup on the moment that i attach them?   

[zagamon]

I also gave a Noctua 140mm fan a go.

I figured, this model "Noctua IndustrialPPC NF-A14" has a maximum effect of 156,5 CFM, which is significantly more compared to its 120mm model (109,9 CFM) as well as 2 dBA quieter.
This model http://www.amazon.co.uk/computers/dp/B00KESS5L4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1439794766&sr=8-7&keywords=noctua+140mm

At the same time, to be able to fit it on the S5, I got a 140mm to 120mm adapter.
This model http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bitspower-BP-FA140120-BK-140mm-120mm-Adapter/dp/B003U3RTEO/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1439795104&sr=8-10&keywords=140mm+120mm

When it all arrived, I was expecting magic to happen, I was sure that I cracked the "code". No more fiddling with fan speed needed, and no more unnecessary noise. But that was short lived, as soon as I put it all together and started up the S5, it all came crumbling down, and I was back to square one. The fan did not perform nearly as good I as expected, at 26 degrees room temperature, it was running at max speed and keeping the miner at a constant temperature of 60 degrees. The noise at max speed (41.3 dBA), even though supposedly quieter than its 120mm brother, was considerable and once again louder than the original fan running at 35%. So yeah, one more bummed out experiment to nag about.

My next planned experiment, 2 x Cooler Master JetFlo 120mm max effect 95CFM - 28 dBA.
But this time, I am not as optimistic.

[MarkAz]

I bought a ton of fans to compare with and my experience is like most - I order them hoping for rainbows and unicorns, only to watch the temperatures rise to basically unusable levels.  The only real alternative I've found is this, the Ultra Kaze:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JKNMBE?tag=ana024-20

It's not a silent fan, but it's much quieter than the stock fan... Although I will say that with the new firmware, set to manual speed about 30%, then it's much closer (I still prefer the Kaze).  The big downside with the Kaze is that it's a 3-pin connector, so no PWM control - but the upside is that it's cheap, especially compared to some of the other fans out there.

I did a bunch of tests of different fan configurations, and they generally don't make as much difference as you'd think - if anything, they do more to alter the temp sensor on the board than anything else.  My top 3 biggest improvements (in order of impact) are; fully enclose w/ fan spacer, kaze fan (pull), headsinks on all copper pads.  I've done it on almost all of my S5's, and in general I see a temp drop of about 10c over stock.

[VirosaGITS]

I also gave a Noctua 140mm fan a go.

I figured, this model "Noctua IndustrialPPC NF-A14" has a maximum effect of 156,5 CFM, which is significantly more compared to its 120mm model (109,9 CFM) as well as 2 dBA quieter.
This model http://www.amazon.co.uk/computers/dp/B00KESS5L4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1439794766&sr=8-7&keywords=noctua+140mm

At the same time, to be able to fit it on the S5, I got a 140mm to 120mm adapter.
This model http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bitspower-BP-FA140120-BK-140mm-120mm-Adapter/dp/B003U3RTEO/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1439795104&sr=8-10&keywords=140mm+120mm

When it all arrived, I was expecting magic to happen, I was sure that I cracked the "code". No more fiddling with fan speed needed, and no more unnecessary noise. But that was short lived, as soon as I put it all together and started up the S5, it all came crumbling down, and I was back to square one. The fan did not perform nearly as good I as expected, at 26 degrees room temperature, it was running at max speed and keeping the miner at a constant temperature of 60 degrees. The noise at max speed (41.3 dBA), even though supposedly quieter than its 120mm brother, was considerable and once again louder than the original fan running at 35%. So yeah, one more bummed out experiment to nag about.

My next planned experiment, 2 x Cooler Master JetFlo 120mm max effect 95CFM - 28 dBA.
But this time, I am not as optimistic.

You would need 2 of them to work. For a single fan i'm thinking about 180-200CFM.

Your

I bought a ton of fans to compare with and my experience is like most - I order them hoping for rainbows and unicorns, only to watch the temperatures rise to basically unusable levels.  The only real alternative I've found is this, the Ultra Kaze:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JKNMBE?tag=ana024-20

It's not a silent fan, but it's much quieter than the stock fan... Although I will say that with the new firmware, set to manual speed about 30%, then it's much closer (I still prefer the Kaze).  The big downside with the Kaze is that it's a 3-pin connector, so no PWM control - but the upside is that it's cheap, especially compared to some of the other fans out there.

I did a bunch of tests of different fan configurations, and they generally don't make as much difference as you'd think - if anything, they do more to alter the temp sensor on the board than anything else.  My top 3 biggest improvements (in order of impact) are; fully enclose w/ fan spacer, kaze fan (pull), headsinks on all copper pads.  I've done it on almost all of my S5's, and in general I see a temp drop of about 10c over stock.

2x 95CFM will be quiet but it will be hotter than your last attempt.

Did you try the 140mm(120mm holes) Silver stone fan 170+CFM at 45dB?

[MarkAz]

So you are only doing the single fan and not a push and pull combination with these fans? What is your experience with the push and pull combination and quieter fans?

As I said, I built an enclosed case for the S5 to control airflow more - and in my tests with the case, doing push and pull had more effect on power consumption then temperature, so I ditched it.  I also found that pull-only was better, as you didn't need the grill to protect the blades, and you don't have the issue of debris buildup on the front edge of the heat sinks.

If you're doing a 'naked' S5, then it does benefit from push and pull fans, because the airflow is really not all that good by the time it gets to the end of the case.  Two Kaze's would be overkill, and two of the lesser fans were not sufficient in my tests - in this situation, I just used the Kaze in place of the stock fan, and while it doesn't perform as well (if I recall, it was maybe 5c hotter), it is much quieter than stock.  But once again, this was before they put in the manual fan speed control, so you might be able to get near to the same performance without buying anything else, just manually setting the fan to 30% or less.

In terms of mix and match fans, I generally don't like that, so don't do it.  Anytime I've used multiple fans, I've always used the same make/model.

[VirosaGITS]

So you are only doing the single fan and not a push and pull combination with these fans? What is your experience with the push and pull combination and quieter fans?

As I said, I built an enclosed case for the S5 to control airflow more - and in my tests with the case, doing push and pull had more effect on power consumption then temperature, so I ditched it.  I also found that pull-only was better, as you didn't need the grill to protect the blades, and you don't have the issue of debris buildup on the front edge of the heat sinks.

If you're doing a 'naked' S5, then it does benefit from push and pull fans, because the airflow is really not all that good by the time it gets to the end of the case.  Two Kaze's would be overkill, and two of the lesser fans were not sufficient in my tests - in this situation, I just used the Kaze in place of the stock fan, and while it doesn't perform as well (if I recall, it was maybe 5c hotter), it is much quieter than stock.  But once again, this was before they put in the manual fan speed control, so you might be able to get near to the same performance without buying anything else, just manually setting the fan to 30% or less.

In terms of mix and match fans, I generally don't like that, so don't do it.  Anytime I've used multiple fans, I've always used the same make/model.

The second fan's primary usefulness is keeping the chips at the edge cooler. It does help the main heatsink's temperature a little bit, but its main function i saw in my tests is increasing external airflow on the sides, which make it so the temps are something like 55/57 instead of 56/62.

Basically blowing more air on the sides where the chips get hotter has been the way to go for me.

[adaseb]

You guys are doing all of this the wrong way. All you are doing is buying expensive fans and just increasing your ROI time.

These fans make a difference when it comes to cooling a computer case or CPU which requires very little air flow. But you are trying to cool something that is very small which uses around 600Watts of heat. Unfortunately they don't make any silent 12" fans that run at 3000-4000 rpms. These fans just don't provide enough airflow and in turn all it does is increase the temperature of the miner.

Remember when the miner runs at 65C, the actual ASIC chips could be running as high as 90C since the temp IC on the board is found near the edge of the board.

The best and cheapest and safest solution if noise is a problem is to do something as such. Go to Home Depot and buy some vinyl tubing for around $10.

Put the S5 in an case such as an S3 and put the tubing on the rear exhaust and point it outside or towards your home's exhaust central air vent. And the miner will be almost silent.

[adaseb]

Another solution is to buy an expensive 12" fan such as the ones mentioned earlier and replace the FAN BLADE into the original stock S5 FAN SHROUD as such.

The FAN BLADE must fit into the S5 FAN SHROUD and due to this it might to hard to find the correct FAN BLADE. But this way the Noctua or SP120 or whatever fans you bought will be able to spin at a much higher RPM and due to the FAN BLADE geometry they might make less noise.

[VirosaGITS]

Another solution is to buy an expensive 12" fan such as the ones mentioned earlier and replace the FAN BLADE into the original stock S5 FAN SHROUD as such.

The FAN BLADE must fit into the S5 FAN SHROUD and due to this it might to hard to find the correct FAN BLADE. But this way the Noctua or SP120 or whatever fans you bought will be able to spin at a much higher RPM and due to the FAN BLADE geometry they might make less noise.

Lol sound arbitrary. My zeus have the exhaust outside and the noise coming from the back is horrendous. As such i will have to replace the fans and 10$ for a fan isint really that bad and can reduce consumption.

Its only convenient on those because they come with much more CFM they need to cool. While for S5 a fan with higher CFM would actually be better.

I don't know where you get your Fan blade replacement but i'm not sure its cheaper than just getting a good silverstone 170CFM quiet for 15$

[m3hm3t]

so guys what about the Antminer S9 ? Can it work with Noctua NF-A12 Indu. 3000 PWM ?

[HagssFIN]

so guys what about the Antminer S9 ? Can it work with Noctua NF-A12 Indu. 3000 PWM ?

No. Not enough cooling effect for the 1.4kW S9

[m3hm3t]

so guys what about the Antminer S9 ? Can it work with Noctua NF-A12 Indu. 3000 PWM ?

No. Not enough cooling effect for the 1.4kW S9

I have a Cooling warehouse system for 3 S9 in 3 meter x 4 meter area and with evaporator cooling group so internal temperature is " 0°C " so if I try to change stock fans with Noctua NF-A12 for S9 then maybe it can work right?

[HagssFIN]

I'm still gonna say no.

Doesn't make sense to change the stock fans, too risky.

[leowonderful]

In my experience there's pretty much no suitable replacement fan for the S9 that provides enough CFM to adequately cool the miner. Best solution to sound is still to put them in a garage or shed IMO. The S9 fans go up to 6000RPM and most alternatives provide maybe half of the ~200CFM that the stock fans do.