AcoustiFan DustProof 120mm PC Fan

Installing the fan is just as simple as any other PC case fan.  You can choose to fasten the fan directly to your chassis by using the included case screws or by using the included rubber mounts.  The rubber mounts (in theory) help reduce case noise by dampening any vibration introduced by the fan.  Another great option is to use a fan gasket between the fan and the case, such as the AcoustiFan gasket reviewed here.  Whichever method you choose, the fan can be mounted in less than a minute.

You can choose to plug the fan directly into your motherboard, use the included speed cables, or plug the fan directly into a fan controller, such as the NZXT Sentry fan controller or Zalman ZM-MFC2 fan controller.  Using a fan controller will give you variable control over all of the fans included in your case, which can help you achieve an overall noise to cooling-performance ratio in your PC rig.

The Acousti Dustproof fan is much quieter than other case fans used, as it delivers 56 cubic feet of air per minute and has a 24 dBA (noise) ratio at a 1500RPM rotation speed.

Although the fan says it is “dustproof”, this only means that the motor is sealed off.  Dust will still readily accumulate on the fan blades and in between the hub and blade assembly, and will require regular maintenance.

The only major downside is that these fans can be hard to find.  The only major online retailer that seems to carry them is QuietPC.

The fan is a really great deal when you consider that you get a high-quality low-noise fan, and it can be further silenced by using an included 3-speed adjuster.  Under extreme conditions, this fan is rated for 6 years, so it should certainly last 10 years or more under normal operation.  Keep in mind the fans is for moderate and low-noise applications, so it’s best to use it with moderate low-heat hardware and not meant for overclocked systems or servers.