What's the best 80mm and 92mm fan?

Noctua NF-B9

UK price (as reviewed): £14.00 (inc VAT)
US price (as reviewed): $19.99 (ex tax)

While the disappointing Noctua NF-R8 was left to wallow in self-pity, we turned our gaze to its 92mm cousin, the NF-B9. Like the other Noctua fans, it sports Noctua’s SSO bearing, but as we found with the NF-R8, being quiet means nothing if it shifts less air than a flatulent mouse.

According to Noctua, the NF-B9 has an airflow of 37.8cfm and is rated at 17.6dBA with a beefy 1,600rpm rotational speed. Our tests revealed an airflow of 29cfm and noise level of 31.3dBA, both of which are some way off Noctua’s claims. However, it did a relatively good job of inflating the black sack – something that can’t be said of some much larger fans.

The 31.3dBA proved to be slightly too noisy for us, but luckily, Noctua has included two resistor cables that lower the fan’s speed to 1,300rpm or 1,000rpm.

At 1,300rpm, the noise level dropped to 24.3dBA, with the airflow falling to 15cfm. At 1,000rpm, there was practically no noise at all but the airflow dipped to below 6cfm. The main issue that faces the NF-B9 is value. With a retail price of £14, it’s horrendously expensive, especially when you consider that the Revoltec RL042 does a better job and costs just £4.81.

Be Quiet Silent Wings 92mm

UK price (as reviewed): £12.64 (inc VAT)
US price (as reviewed): NA

The Be Quiet Silent Wings 92mm fan features the same unusual design as the 120mm version, with built-in anti-vibration rubber mounts into which plastic pins are inserted, which then secure the fan to the case.

As well as impressive build quality, the fan also features a fluid dynamic bearing, which usually results in quiet operation. We found that it shifted 23cfm as opposed to Be Quiet’s claim of 32.58cfm, and our sound test recorded 27.3dBA, while the box claimed 16dBA.

However, it’s still a pleasantly quiet fan – all you hear is moving air, not the motor or blades. Unfortunately, while it produced the same airflow as the Revoltec RL042 and was slightly quieter, the latter costs just £4.81 – a third of the Be Quiet’s asking price.

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