Primarily for the needs of very small computer systems, Arctic has expanded its range of low-profile fans. It did this with the P8 Slim PWM PST, which is not only low-profile, it keeps its dimensions smaller in the remaining two axes as well. With 80 mm it copies well, for example, minimalist cases for Raspberry Pi and similar single-board computers. This small fan has a blade count above Arctic’s standards. Read more “Low profile in 80mm format. Arctic released the P8 Slim PWM PST”
This is a first – a fan with the leading edges of the impeller blades on the opposite side to normal ones. This is primarily done for a better view of “fans without stator struts” in cases with glass side panels. In addition, such an unconventional design also has quite clear and measurable advantages and disadvantages, also in terms of functional characteristics. Let’s take everything in turn. Read more “Asus TUF Gaming TR120 (ARGB) Reverse: A nicer look? Yes, but…”
Well, after all! The NH-D15 G2 cooler will no longer be on Noctua’s roadmaps. Neither will the separate pack of 140mm NF-A14x25r G2 PWM fans it uses. Both Noctua’s new flagship cooler and the first fans from the new generation are on their way to stores. This comes after years of development and detailed tuning. We can now take a look at the key elements involved with these cooling components. Read more “What to expect from Noctua’s new top-end CPU coolers (and fans)?”
One of the last reasons for delaying the new generation of 140mm LCP fans was complications around potential excessive frame deformation. But to ensure that users never have to deal with this type of difficulty in practice, Noctua has intervened in the fan prototypes once more. You can find out how, why exactly in that way, and what the satisfaction with the result has been like directly from Noctua, who we asked a few questions on the subject. Read more “Noctua on NF-A14x25 G2 frame deformations (interview)”
Higher pressure from the location around the impeller hub. This will probably be addressed by more fan manufacturers in the coming period. Each will go about it in a slightly different way, and MSI also revealed its “strategy” for achieving more attractive results at Computex (24). With fans with one, two, three, … eighteen blades arranged in two rows. It will start to be sold in PC cases. Read more ““Two fans in one”. MSI plans an unconventional concept”
At Computex 2024, Noctua “unofficially” announced that a new elite dual-tower CPU cooler (the NH-D15 G2) will hit the shelves this month, with the news being that it will have different bases with an eye towards making the best possible contact across platforms (AMD and Intel). In addition, Noctua showed the second generation of the 120mm A12 fan. A PSU with a Noctua fan? Also a reality, created in collaboration with Seasonic. Read more “The Noctua NH-D15 G2 in three variants. And new A12 fans”
Go for the variant with nine longer blades or seven shorter blades? That’s the question we’ll tackle in this test of the Pure Wings 3 140mm fan. In addition to the different geometries, you can also choose between different speed ranges with differently placed maximums. The high-speed variant has the upper hand, as expected, when it comes to needing to achieve the highest possible airflow. But it also excels in other situations. Read more “More and faster blades, BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL113)”
The culmination of our trilogy of tests of Arctic’s 140mm fans is here. With the P14 Max, the designers have worked on improvements that change both the acoustic properties and performance of the fan. The main new feature, the hoop, allows for, among other things, a significant speed increase, due to which this fan can have a really high airflow. On the other hand, fans of extra low speeds will not be too pleased. Read more “Arctic P14 Max: The best yet? Well, it depends…”
It’s evident from the design of the new TUF Gaming TR120 fan that Asus has diagnosed the weaknesses of its predecessor (and, from the current perspective, weaker model) well and worked on them with a view to achieving better results. These key changes are also easy to point out, and it’s likely that across all possible scenarios this will be one of the most aerodynamically efficient LED fans in the 120mm format. Read more “ARGB Asus fan (TUF TR120) now with a thicker profile”
Longer life in exchange for more noise? These are also some of the agenda items we’ll cover in our comparison of the Arctic P14 CO fan with the fluid bearing variant (P14). These are actually the main points. In any case, the ball bearings in the more expensive variant of these fans also have specific features that can be easily observed and distinguished even in normal, “home” use. Read more “Arctic P14 PWM PST CO or ball vs. fluid bearings”
What is fascinating about the Arctic P14 is the particularly high contrast of price to (cooling) efficiency. These fans are among the cheapest, while at the same time achieving top results with respect to all 140 mm fans in terms of airflow per unit of noise. And that’s even through obstacles. Arctic has made almost the maximum out of the funds available to produce the fan, and it is definitely worth it. Read more “Arctic P14 PWM PST: Unbeatable in its segment”
The Silent Wings (Pro) 4 represent the pinnacle of computer fan range. The non-Pro variants stand out especially in system positions and are not well suited for radiators. This is by design and in line with the sort of “micro-segmentation” of BeQuiet. In a white design, like the one tested, it will be quite difficult to find other 140 mm fans that are quieter at comparable airflow. Read more “BeQuiet! Silent Wings 4 (BL117): A white choice for your case”
The cheapest 140mm fan we’ve tested so far beats even significantly more expensive 120mm models at comparable noise levels. That’s because of the use of a larger cross-sectional area, as well as the efficient impeller geometry that the Stratus 140 PWM definitely has. “Cheap” fan doesn’t necessarily mean “weak”, though of course there are some compromises based on more limited manufacturing resources than with more expensive fans. Read more “Endorfy Stratus 140 PWM: Low price, high efficiency”
With the RS Max fans, Corsair is aiming really high. Across the most popular 120 and 140mm formats, it has incorporated technically what should define perhaps the most efficient fans of their kind. Especially when it comes to the 140mm variant. It too is 30mm thick, which combined with the curved LCP blades makes it a theoretical favorite to win many “first places”. Read more “Corsair RS Max: Fans that can rise to the top”
Noctua’s long-awaited next-gen fans in the 140mm format have experienced a setback in their planned release, but they also haven’t. They have indeed been delayed from the second to third quarter of 2024 in terms of standalone availability, but they should be out soon together with the cooler that replaces the NH-D15 at the top of the lineup. In addition, it’s also been somewhat declassified which of the “older” projects is nearing completion. Read more “Noctua: New 140 mm fans to premiere on a CPU cooler”
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