Sony Fluid Dynamic Bearings (FDB) on Scythe and Thermalright fans
Both Scythe and Thermalright advertise Fluid dynamic bearings on some of their fans. With Scythe, the fans are S-Flex. With TR, they are TR-FDB series.
To me, these fans look to be at least siblings, if not quite identical:
Image: TR-FDB vs S-Flex – intake view
Image: TR-FDB vs S-Flex blades
Image: S-Flex blades in front of TR-FDB blades
Image: S-Flex corner in front of TR-FDB
Image: S-Flex in front of TR-FDB
This last pic shows that the injection ports on the frame molds are not in the same place. Otherwise, because these fans are so similar I have tested them together. The players:
——————————————
Scythe S-Flex SFF21E
Image: Scythe S-Flex SFF21E exhaust view
Image: Scythe S-Flex SFF21E intake view
Scythe S-Flex SFF21E Specs
Size: 120x25mm, 7 blades
Bearing: Sony Fluid Dynamic Bearings
Speed: 1200 RPM
Airflow: 49.0 CFM
SPL: 20.1 dBA
Static Pressure: na
Feature: 3-pin to 4pin adapter included; the adapter includes an RPM reporting lead.
Results on the Megahalems 12v:
Speed: 1190 RPM
CPU temp over ambient: 57c
SPL: 23 dBA
—————————————–
Scythe S-Flex SFF21F
Image: Scythe S-Flex SFF21F exhaust view
Image: Scythe S-Flex SFF21F intake view
Scythe S-Flex SFF21F Specs
Size: 120x25mm, 7 blades
Bearing: Sony Fluid Dynamic Bearings
Speed: 1600 RPM
Airflow: 63.7 CFM
SPL: 28.0 dBA
Static Pressure: na
Feature: 3-pin to 4pin adapter included; the adapter includes an RPM reporting lead.
Results on the Megahalems 12v:
Speed: 1440 RPM (average)
CPU temp over ambient: 56c
SPL: 26.5 dBA
———————————————————-
Scythe S-Flex SFF21G
Image: Scythe S-Flex SFF21G exhaust view
Image: Scythe S-Flex SFF21G intake view
Scythe S-Flex SFF21G Specs
Size: 120x25mm, 7 blades
Bearing: Sony Fluid Dynamic Bearings
Speed: 1900 RPM
Airflow: 75.0 CFM
SPL: 34.0 dBA
Static Pressure: na
Feature: 3-pin to 4pin adapter included; the adapter includes an RPM reporting lead.
Results on the Megahalems 12v:
Speed: 1840 RPM (average)
CPU temp over ambient: 52.5c
SPL: 32.5 dBA
————————————————
Thermalright TR-FDB-12-1300
Image: Thermalright TR-FDB-12-1300 exhaust view
Image: Thermalright TR-FDB-12-1300 intake view
Thermalright TR-FDB-12-1300 Specs
Size: 120x25mm, 7 blades
Bearing: Sony Fluid Dynamic Bearings
Speed: 1300 RPM
Airflow: 50.0 CFM
SPL: 24.1 dBA
Static Pressure: na
Feature: 3-pin to 4pin adapter included; the adapter includes an RPM reporting lead.
Results on the Megahalems 12v:
Speed: 1355 RPM (average)
CPU temp over ambient: 56c
SPL: 24.5 dBA
——————————————————–
Since the fans were so similar, I did some tandem testing, taking the Thermalright and one of the S-Flexes and putting them in various combinations. Part of the reason was that I wanted to see what difference it would make to temps with different output fans – higher as intake vs higher as exhaust. Nothing terribly profound, just checkin’ things out.
S-Flex 1200 > TR-FDB-1300
Speed: 1210 > 1375 RPM
CPU temp over ambient: 56c
SPL: 28 dBA
TR-FDB-1300 > S-Flex-1200
Speed: 1350 > 1225 RPM
CPU temp over ambient: 54c
SPL: 28 dBA
“Annoying buzz”
S-Flex 1600 > TR-FDB-1300
Speed: 1500 > 1360 RPM
CPU temp over ambient: 55c
SPL: 31 dBA
“Annoying whine.”
TR-FDB-1300 > S-Flex-1600
Speed: 1360 > 1510 RPM
CPU temp over ambient: 55c
SPL: 32.5 dBA
“Annoying buzz”
Not a terribly promising approach. I’m not event tempted to try matched S-Flexes or matched TR-FDB’s.
BY EHUM – OVERLOCK.NET