🌀 Noctua NF-R8 redux-1800: High Performance 80mm Cooling Fan | 3-Pin, 1800 RPM (Grey) Review

I'm rarely surprised by the quality of PC components like case fans, but these 80mm Noctua jobbers are outstanding. The build quality is through the roof and by far the best I've seen in my dirty hands. They feel good in the hand, are noticeably heavier and literally radiate quality at every opportunity. The plastic feels denser and stiffer, the fan blades are better finished and shaped, the tolerances are tighter, and damn it, they even (not cheap either, but with good braiding) protected the…

As a case fan, this fan works great. However, I had a small problem using it as a CPU fan connected to my computer's motherboard when the motherboard is trying to send very low voltage to it (e.g. when the CPU is cold and only has a low fan speed required). The fan will only start spinning when a higher voltage is reached. When the computer boots up in a cold state for the first time, sometimes the BIOS will beep and issue a CPU fan warning because the motherboard sends a small voltage to the…

The fans are of good quality, they work well and are easy to install. The fans of my old but very reliable Synology DS 411+ NAS drive started making a little noise. I ordered two of these fans and they were mostly included in the box. The wiring harness connector goes straight to the motherboard with no problems. Only thing to watch out for, they're a little deeper. The extra thickness is suitable when you don't install metal fan cage. I've been using them for a couple of weeks and everything…

I think the title says it all! My fans are from 2004, yes they still worked but damn they were LOUD! This is despite the fact that I kept the tower on the ground. It's always interesting when someone asks if you're outside during a conference call! Anyway, since building another rig (totally different story) I've started thinking about replacing the fans in my current one. This is compliant. They're not the odd denture brown and peach of the regular line, and they're cheaper. Really reduces…

I have two 80mm Noctua NF-R8 fans cooling the bottom of the CoolerMaster HAF XB case. Even with anti-vibration mounts installed, this fan is quite noisy at a full 1800RPM (not surprising for an 80mm fan, but unexpected for Noctua). I ended up using a Noctua low noise adapter built into the fan to lower the top speed to around 1200-1300 rpm, which reduces the noise to almost inaudible at maximum power. To me this fan is a good balance of noise and airflow for the price, but unless you really…