A concept in which an LCP impeller and ARGB LEDs meet is particularly rare. But it has enormous potential for achieving top-notch results. That is, as long as everything fits together optimally and there are no weak spots somewhere that increase the noise level. There are still a few things to tweak with the MagFlow ARGB fan, but already now, in its current form, it is a premium fan, and not only among lighted models. Read more “Seasonic MagFlow ARGB: Lighting with LCP? The right way”
There aren’t many 140mm fans that are more popular than the NF-A14 (PWM). This Noctua model has maintained that for a long time, for over a decade. In the meantime, naturally, a host of newer competing solutions have come along, and the question is how Noctua’s still-flagship 140mm fan will hold up against them in the present day. By analyzing the NF-A14, we’ll also shorten a bit the interminable wait for its successor. Read more “Noctua NF-A14 PWM: Relevant even after a decade”
It went by so quickly. Only recently we painted 2023 as the “year of the fan.” In the end, it didn’t work out as expected, but you don’t have to worry that we’ll slack off on that front, quite the opposite. Fan testing is a key topic for HWCooling, we just need to plan all things more sensibly (realistically, so that they can be done). But no excuses. The big goals, which drive us forward, remain for 2024. Read more “A few fans are missing to 70. What will the future bring?”
The long break is over, back to fans. BeQuiet! recently updated its entry-level line – Pure Wings – and at least the slower 140-millimeter models have to be on your radar. The Pure Wings 3 fans in the BL108 variant represent an extremely efficient low-cost option for some situations, while not suffering from the common shortcomings of their price class. What’s quiet here is not only the aerodynamic component, but also the motor one. Read more “BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108): Efficient and “cheap” in 140 mm”
Seasonic’s second fan expands the range of lighted models. But it does so in a very non-violent way that doesn’t require lower impeller stiffness. The latter, on the contrary, is extra rigid, made of LCP, and compared to the older MagFlow 1225 fan, the shape of the blades has also undergone a change. The elegant magnet connection method that Seasonic prides itself on has been retained. Read more “Seasonic has MagFlow with ARGB LED. Impeller shape is also new”
The Pure Wings 3 fans, which have appeared as part of some coolers and cases in the past, are now also available separately. With a price of 14–15 euros (per piece), these are the cheapest BeQuiet! fans, if we focus the choice on models with “modern” geometry. The latter also heralds an attractive price to “cooling performance” ratio. And that’s in both 120 mm and 140 mm formats. Read more “Pure Wings 3, the cheaper BeQuiet! fans, now available”
Noctua’s tentative plans for the next period specify the possible release of a successor to the NH-D15 cooler. Along with that comes the assurance that the next generation of 140mm fans that this cooler will use is really close. In addition to this, there is also the notable announcement of an upgrade to the NH-L12(S), a lower-profile cooler with a horizontal fan (or fans, if the heatsink will be cooled by two fans again). Read more “Noctua’s top-end dual-tower cooler given more precise launch date”
Alphacool has unleashed the new Apex Stealth fans on the world, which attract attention for two things in particular. Firstly, the fact that they contain robust metal elements and secondly, the specifications. These seem to be literally incredible, and while we have no doubt that the efficiency of these fans will be top notch, it’s hard to find elements for which they should be “the best”, as the specs suggest. Read more “The armored Apex Stealth fans promise the “impossible””
A few 120 mm fans are already thicker than standard, but now there is one which is also one number larger. And it’s being taken up again by the brand that managed to popularize the 30 mm profile the most – Phanteks. The latest D30-140s come in two designs. In addition to the regular variant, there is also a reversed one with the same blades, but incorporated into the frame for the opposite direction of airflow so that it mainly “looks” good. Read more “The new Phanteks D30 fan: Extra thickness now in 140 mm”
Why spend as much money on one fan as you would on four or five Endorfy Stratus 120 PWMs? There is a clear answer to this, but it may not be interesting to everyone. Especially when the fans are meant to fit well into builds designed with the best possible price/performance ratio in mind. That’s when low-cost fans make sense, and the end-user often dismisses the “imperfections” of the Stratus 120 (PWM) with a wave of the hand. Read more “Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM: Efficient fan on a budget”
Same model, different pieces. Differences in vibrations can be dramatic. Especially if they are cheap fans with high manufacturing tolerances. While most Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM fans have some vibration, you can also come across “golden” samples that don’t vibrate at all. This is admittedly a very rare but existing situation. The variance of vibration is much greater than you might think. Read more “15× Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM fan in vibration tests”
Can you guess how big the difference in vibration can be between the “best” and “worst” piece of the inexpensive Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM fan? We’ll take a look at this in the future, and your job will be to guess as accurately as possible. As a reward, whoever comes closest to the correct answer will receive any “cooling” product from Endorfy. In the case of smaller items, the prize can also be made up of multiple items. Read more “Guess a fan vibration variance and win anything Endorfy”
Does it or does it not clearly beat the Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM? The Phanteks T30 doesn’t like second places, and in the vast majority of cases it doesn’t get to them, outperforming competing fans in its format (120mm) by a good chunk when optimally setup. But that was a bit of a must to justify the extra thickness, which is associated with poorer compatibility after all. Read more “Phanteks PH-F120T30: The fan that pushes boundaries”
We’ve known about Scythe’s preparations for a new fan for some time now. We are only now getting to the details of its design. While it hasn’t officially been released yet, it has appeared in Wootware catalogue – and in all its glory. In addition to the complete parameters, we have several high-resolution photos available. With the Grand Tornado fan, Scythe is sure to get a say in who has the “best” fan. Read more “This is “Grand Tornado” – finally an elite Scythe fan”
In the next fan test there will be a model for which many of you have been waiting for a long time. It will be quite easy to recognize it even from the photo, which reveals only a small part of it, a detail. Everyone who writes us what fan it is will be entered into a draw for one big pack of them. And it’s really worth entering, there aren’t many more attractive options in the 120mm fan field (and we’ve exhausted all the hints with this one). Read more “The next fan in our test database will be… can you guess?”
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