These fans I consider the best "all-around"/universal fans available. That mean, they could be used both in airflow and static pressure applications, and have best airflow/noise ratio.
Noctua fans have (very slightly) better raw performance, but they are somewhat more noisy - at least in "perceptual" sense. Noctua fans (especially in latest China-made revision) have almost smooth blades and very sharp-edged plain square hub spokes - this creates pronounced "boop tone" at certain resonant RPMs, which (at least for me) are a lot more annoying than white noise of rushing air.
While Silent Wings fans have very "ridged" structure on their blades - this creates more air turbulence and while it technically makes fan to lose some small amount of performance, it also makes noise spectrum almost all white noise, which is a lot easier for our brain to filter out and stop noticing even at moderately high fan RPM. Also Silent Wings 3 fans have aerodynamic-streamlined hub spokes, removing "impeller passing noise" (caused by blades pass the hub spoke at exact frequency).
The only downside that SilentWings 3 have somewhat noisy PWM circuitry - you get "coil whine" noise, especially noticeable at low RPM when rest of fan is silent. At the contrast, Noctua fans have SCD PWM driver which completely silent - sadly seems that beQuiet still haven't implemented such tech. Also PWM control lacks smoothing - fan tries to change rotation speed instantly which causes other kind of "rumble" noises on abrupt RPM changes (e.g. when temperature spikes).
Note that electronics noise disappears if you control fan by voltage. The only downside of voltage control I see that lowest rotation speed becomes ~450RPM while in PWM mode its ~200RPM. But I'd say it does not really matter - since fan is already 100% silent at 450RPM. So I'd recommend getting voltage control model and save money - but PWM model is still ok since it supports both control modes.
Note that I've now tested 8 (6x 120mm and 2x 140mm) fans and they all exhibit same characteristics.
Addendum circa Jan 2020:
After changing to X570 Gigabyte Aorus Master motherboard (Previous was Asus Prime Z270-A), I don't notice PWM noise from fans anymore. So it might be motherboard dependent and you might or might not get it. Always worth trying PWM first to see if it suits you (it also looks like the price on PWM model often actually less then on 3-pin one).
Another thing worth adding that these fans actually very electrically efficient - according to beQuiet own official spec sheet, single 120mm fan draws only 120mA current. This means you can drive even 4x fans from same standard 1A motherboard header no problem - no need for complex splitters with external power.
| Merk | Be quiet! |
|---|---|
| Fabrikant | Be Quiet |
| Model | BL066 |
| Modelnaam | SilentWings 3 PWM |
| Modeljaar | 2016 |
| Onderdeelnummer | BL066 |
| Vaste-schijfinterface | ATA |
| Merk processor | Refer_Manual |
| Soort processor | Unknown |
| Aantal processors | 1 |
| Hardwareplatform | Refer_Manual |
| Compatibele apparaten | Pc |
| Speciale kenmerken | Doorsnede ventilator 12 cm |
| Meegeleverde onderdelen | X |
| Aantal items | 1 |
| Compiler | Otterbox---Lifeproof |
| Grootte van het staande scherm | 5.5 Inch |
| Kleurenscherm | Nee |
| Geluidsniveau | 16.4 dB |
| Wattage | 1.44 watt |
| Energiebron | Wisselstroom. |
| Batterijen inbegrepen | Nee |
| Batterijen vereist | Nee |
| Adapter | Otterbox---Lifeproof |
| Draadloos type | 802.11a |
| Connectortype | 3-Pin |
| Reader | Otterbox---Lifeproof |
| Materiaalsoort | Polycarbonaat |
| Type apparaat | Smart Phone |
| Marimba | Otterbox---Lifeproof |
| Recorder | Otterbox---Lifeproof |
| Transcribeerder | Otterbox---Lifeproof |
| Heeft automatische scherpstelling | Nee |
| Inclusief oplaadbare batterijen | Nee |
| Compatibel met bluetooth-technologie | Nee |
| Programmeerbare knoppen | Nee |
| Fabrikant | Be Quiet |
| Modelnummer item | BL066 |
| Productafmetingen | 18.42 x 3.1 x 14.1 cm; 272.16 gram |
| ASIN | B01JMEDDYY |
| Gegarandeerde software-updates tot | unknown |