QUOTE(Polaris @ Apr 25 2007, 10:16 PM)
Do you have experience with SS fans Kataro?
Is the higher CFM worth the trade off for louder noise? Can the noise be reduced thru lowering the fan settings? Id so, how much lower to make the noise acceptable?
Kataro have a FM121 as exhaust in the PC. Anyway, i have the FM82 which is roughly similar there. For me, if you are a silent rig enthuasist, having the SS fan at full speed is a nono. Very noisy to my liking (of course still better than delta fans). For me, roughly 50-60% of the speed is tolerable.
Not to mention, of course the cfm is great. Air pushed out was awesome and it is definitely good. The only problem is the noise level. However, i had once tried switching the fan around (top fan, from intake --> exhaust) and to be honest, the voice level dropped. My guess, the more blockage you have, the noisier it became...
Advice: If you could really tolerate sound, yes, its a great purchase. Luckily it is bundled together with a controller. Having the fan at 50-60% of the speed can reduce alot of noise but still maintain a good airflow as well...