Prisma AL-14 PWM: The best 140mm fan by Fractal Design?

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Fractal Design claims the Prisma models as its most efficient 140mm fans. According to the specs, they are supposed to achieve the highest airflow at a lower noise level than the Aspect 14s. However, this is physically impossible due to the constructional differences of the two fans. The title of the article has a bit of a pejorative tone and while the Prisma AL-14 PWM is a decent fan, it already has a superior from its own ranks.

Results: Frequency response of sound with a radiator

Measurements are performed in the TrueRTA application, which records sound in a range of 240 frequencies in the recorded range of 20–20,000 Hz. For the possibility of comparison across articles, we export the dominant frequency from the low (20–200 Hz), medium (201–2,000 Hz) and high (2,001–20,000 Hz) range to standard bar graphs.

However, for an even more detailed analysis of the sound expression, it is important to perceive the overall shape of the graph and the intensity of all frequencies/tones. If you don’t understand something in the graphs or tables below, you’ll find the answers to all your questions in this article. It explains how to read the measured data below correctly.

Fan sound usually operates in the 70–7000 Hz band. You can ignore the 7000 Hz frequencies, they reflect the electromagnetic noise of the measurement chain. This (electromagnetic noise) also extends to frequencies below 70 Hz. These bands (up to 70 Hz and above 7 kHz) could be safely “shaved off”, but we don’t do that. Just in case some anomaly does appear in one of the fans, which needs to be controlled and visualised.

Note: For these measurements a thinner radiator of 28 mm is used. Such thickness (and restrictiveness with FPI 22) is common in practice (also within AIO coolers).



Wordpress Table Plugin



Wordpress Table Plugin



Wordpress Table Plugin

Why is there a missing value sometimes? There may be more reasons. Usually it is because the fan could not be adjusted to the target noise level. Some have a higher minimum speed (or the speed is low, but the motor is too noisy) or it is a slower fan that will not reach the higher decibels. But the results in the graphs are also missing if the rotor is brushing against the nylon filter mesh. In that case, we evaluate this combination as incompatible. And zero in the graphs is naturally also in situations where we measure 0.00. This is a common occurrence at extremely low speeds with obstructions or within vibration measurements.


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Comments (2) Add comment

    1. It’s hard to identify a single main feature – personally, I wouldn’t dare to do so because it really depends on your perspective. The Prisma AL-14 PWM is, in any case, a relatively efficient fan with ARGB elements. Of course, in terms of the airflow-to-noise ratio, it’s starting to show the limitations of its outdated rotor design – but it’s all about compromises. Yes, there are currently more attractive alternatives on the market, and even more promising fans are on the way – including from Fractal Design itself. These will also feature ARGB and come in a 140 mm format. Stay tuned. 🙂

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