Tag: fans

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. Read more “Prisma AL-14 PWM: The best 140mm fan by Fractal Design?” »

Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB: Short/quiet and lighted (blades)

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Blade length is always the “topic”, but will be more common with 140mm fans than smaller variants. Some bet on long blades for preference of selected features, the other manufacturer on short ones. And such (short) and overall more robust blades are also used by the 140mm Aorus fan. From certain points of view this is quite a big advantage, but for which something had to be sacrificed. It’s a quid pro quo. Read more “Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB: Short/quiet and lighted (blades)” »

BeQuiet! Light Wings (140 mm): Different size, different geometry

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

We analyzed the “Light Wings” fan fairly recently, but that was in the 120 mm format. BeQuiet! approached the 140mm model a little differently. Although the frame is only proportionally enlarged, the shape of the rotor is already significantly different. It relies on long, curved blades, which look great in this cross-section, but there are some design caveats. Still, in some applications, this fan excels. Read more “BeQuiet! Light Wings (140 mm): Different size, different geometry” »

Stiffer and more efficient, improvements of the Arctic P12 (Max)

Cooling, Fans, News | | Ľubomír Samák

Arctic has released a successor to the P12 fan, or perhaps more likely a higher-end model of it, as the P12 Max is a bit more expensive. That’s because it has a significantly more sophisticated design that addresses the shortcomings of the P12. In particular, the P12 Max has stiffened blades to counteract the high vibration of Arctic’s 5-blade rotors, and also, it will be one of the most powerful 120mm fans due to its significantly increased speed. Read more “Stiffer and more efficient, improvements of the Arctic P12 (Max)” »

FD Aspect 14 RGB PWM: Larger rotor, higher airflow per dBA

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Starting with the Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM test, we are starting to build a database of 140mm fan results. These may have a smaller market presence due to poorer compatibility, but compared to the 120mm models they have the makings of higher efficiency, which is why they are more popular among many users. The Aspect 14 RGB PWM fan, in addition to its aerodynamic qualities, also fights for customer favour with its lighting. Read more “FD Aspect 14 RGB PWM: Larger rotor, higher airflow per dBA” »

DeepCool FK120 fan: Efficiency ceiling for some scenarios

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

It is made in the same injection mould as the FC120, but still has noticeably better properties. Stronger material, higher weight, different bearings and a more powerful motor make the FK120 one of the most attractive options among inexpensive fans. But that’s only assuming the “right” adjustment. Outside of that, this fan can be quite uncomfortable and ironically for the same reason it is sometimes unbeatable. Read more “DeepCool FK120 fan: Efficiency ceiling for some scenarios” »

Asus TUF Gaming TF120: Cheap, lighted and efficient fan

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Asus’s efforts in the field of standalone PC fans are on the rise. After the premiere in the form of the ROG XF120, there is now the half-price TUF TF120, which also gives more attractive results in some applications. And that’s even compared to other, similar fans with ARGB LEDs. The geometry of the TF120 is quite sensible, which is why it often beats its competitors in its price range. Read more “Asus TUF Gaming TF120: Cheap, lighted and efficient fan” »

The NA-FG1 or how Noctua perfected the circular grille

Cooling, Fans, News | | Ľubomír Samák

That this or that can no longer be improved? It can only seem that way until someone points out the possible shortcomings. This also applies to the circular grille in front of fans, on which Noctua has found a few weak spots, where their solution (compared to traditional circular grilles) lead to higher efficiency – the drop in airflow is supposed to be even lower with an even smaller increase in noise. And all of it makes sense. Read more “The NA-FG1 or how Noctua perfected the circular grille” »

Gamers Nexus fan testing won’t come, was it all talk

Blogs, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Wake up, Steve! You kind of slept through a convenient opportunity to divulge what’s going on with the fan testing that your audience funded a long time ago. Never mind, I’ll blog a bit and shed some light on it myself. I understand that you’ve reached a difficult, stalemate situation that’s hard to come out with to the public and it’s more effective to sweep inconvenient things under the rug (again). That too is the style of Gamers Nexus, history repeats itself. Read more “Gamers Nexus fan testing won’t come, was it all talk” »

Expected 140mm Noctua fans hit by production issues

Cooling, Fans, News | | Ľubomír Samák

Until recently, it looked like if Noctua failed to release the new generation of 140mm fans by the end of the year (2022), it would happen shortly after. But right now, even this year’s release is in jeopardy. The cause is a fault that, it seems, Noctua didn’t really expect. This delay, by the way, also significantly delays the planned sale of the successor to the NH-D15 CPU cooler. Read more “Expected 140mm Noctua fans hit by production issues” »

Year of the fan is here: by 2023, there will be 70 of them compared

Fans, News | | Ľubomír Samák

Last year’s tally of fans tested ends at 34 models. We don’t know what number it will stop at one day over the years, but our plan for the next twelve months is clear: Push hard on fan topics. Not only by adding to the record number of fans, but also by popular education on the physics that is essential to a proper understanding of exactly how fans work. The goal is for you to have a clarity about everything. Read more “Year of the fan is here: by 2023, there will be 70 of them compared” »

BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL072): Sturdy rotor with ARGB LEDs

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Illuminated fans from BeQuiet! have the advantage over many competing models in a more robust rotor design. This is also due to the fact that it is not made of “light conductive” material and therefore some may not like the Light Wings fans, but aerodynamically they have the edge over other models. This is not only because of the choice of raw materials and their robustness, but also the overall shape of the blades. Read more “BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL072): Sturdy rotor with ARGB LEDs” »

Noctua is behind schedule, new 140mm fans have been delayed

Cooling, Fans, News | | Ľubomír Samák

This is not entirely new information. On the contrary, the news that Noctua won’t release 140mm fans made of “sterrox” this year after all is quite old. Still, it disappeared on Twitter among other posts, and the reach to the public is quite small. We, too, have only now gotten around to the delay of Noctua’s long-awaited fans. So if you’re still waiting and hoping, know that they won’t be coming this year, for certain. Read more “Noctua is behind schedule, new 140mm fans have been delayed” »

Removing notches on fan blades? Sometimes a mistake

Analysis, Cooling, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

On edges of blades of some fans there are small notches forming a kind of teeth, typically on the trailing edges, closer to the motor. These elements serve to break up tonal peaks, and it’s curious that manufacturers are abandoning them rather than adding them. In some designs, however, such a modification can be seen as a backwards move; elsewhere it’s an understandable one. We have a few examples for you. Read more “Removing notches on fan blades? Sometimes a mistake” »

Six new 120/140mm EK-Loop FPT fans on sale

Cooling, Fans, News | | Ľubomír Samák

The EKWB Vardar fans are now discontinued, but there is a replacement in the form of fans from the new FPT series. These are designed primarily for what this company is most dedicated to – custom loops. Along with high airflow, the specs promise high static pressure, which is key on obstacles such as radiators to achieve the highest possible cooling efficiency (air performance to noise level ratio). Read more “Six new 120/140mm EK-Loop FPT fans on sale” »

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