{"id":272086,"date":"2026-02-03T18:00:50","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T17:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hwcooling.net\/?p=272086\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T14:45:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T13:45:35","slug":"new-stars-in-the-hardware-cooling-universe-part-2-apnx","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hwcooling.net\/en\/new-stars-in-the-hardware-cooling-universe-part-2-apnx\/","title":{"rendered":"New stars in the cooling hardware universe, part 2\u2014APNX"},"content":{"rendered":"

Established and well-known producers in the field are certainly familiar to our readers. In recent years, several new companies have appeared on the scene that may not yet be widely recognized. This series focuses precisely on such relatively new players. Although these brands have been on the market for a short time, their ambitions, fresh ideas, and technical solutions should not be underestimated. The second one follows the same goal.<\/p>\n

APNX\u2014a new performance brand from AeroCool aiming to set the pace<\/h2>\n

APNX (Advanced Performance Nexus) is a relatively new brand in the PC hardware segment, which first appeared on the scene in 2023. Its origin is tied to the established hardware company AeroCool, which has been known within the PC community for more than two decades. While the parent company traditionally presents itself as a provider of affordable solutions, APNX positions itself as enthusiast-oriented hardware. It focuses on modern, performance-driven components that go beyond AeroCool\u2019s traditional products and target high-performance system builders.<\/p>\n

The brand is built on a philosophy of combining advanced technology, performance, and aesthetics, with an emphasis on precise design and increased user value. Thanks to AeroCool\u2019s backing and the broader alliance of brands within Pro Gamers Group (PGG), or Pro Gamersware, APNX has gained strong infrastructure for product development, testing, and global distribution.<\/p>\n

AeroCool first introduced APNX at Computex 2023, where it unveiled initial product concepts including the APNX C1 case, fans, and coolers. From the outset, the company signaled interest in a modular approach to PC hardware. Since its inception, the brand has aimed to deliver products targeting high-performance hardware combined with stylish design\u2014whether cases, fans, coolers, or power supplies.<\/p>\n

Products that defined APNX<\/h3>\n

Already at its first anniversary, APNX earned several prestigious design awards. Products such as the APNX C1 case, the AP1-V CPU cooler, and FP2 fans were nominated for and received iF Design awards, confirming that the brand seeks to merge aesthetics with quality. The APNX C1 was among the first case models with a refined design and high component compatibility, laying the foundation for the brand\u2019s philosophy\u2014visual elegance paired with practical system assembly. Later, the case lineup was expanded with the APNX V1, which also received many positive review results (a detail of the case top can be seen in the opening photograph). Outlets such as TechPowerUp<\/a> and TomsHardware<\/a> rated the case very positively, demonstrating strong technical execution as well as design quality.<\/p>\n

\"APNX<\/a><\/p>\n

In the cooling segment, the brand expanded its portfolio with the AP1-V, an air cooler featuring five heatpipes, which according to stated specifications should handle up to 245 W TDP while also offering a visually cohesive ARGB design.<\/p>\n

\"APNX<\/a><\/p>\n

Product line development and the latest announcements<\/h3>\n

At Computex 2025, APNX unveiled two new flagship cases, the APNX V2 and V2-F, combining bold panoramic aesthetics with advanced modularity and architecture. APNX pushed the boundaries of PC case design, blending\u2014for some\u2014appealing visuals with broad configurability. The case offers up to 13 fan positions and a flexible internal layout.<\/p>\n

\"APNX<\/a><\/p>\n

Alongside this, the brand expanded its power supply portfolio with two series. The MAX G1, featuring 80 Plus Platinum efficiency and a fully modular design, targets the high end, while the more accessible DELUXE G1 with 80 Plus Gold certification covers multiple performance tiers from 650 W up to 1200 W. These products show that APNX is not limited to a single segment and is gradually establishing itself as a comprehensive PC hardware manufacturer delivering solutions that combine performance, design, and technical innovation even for more demanding users.<\/p>\n

A bit of controversy at the end<\/h3>\n

As mentioned above, APNX FP2 fans achieved several awards in 2024. In addition to the iF Design award, they were also honored with Red Dot Design awards.<\/p>\n

\"APNX<\/a><\/p>\n

These 30 mm-thick fans come with two notable features. The first is a metal outer frame, which is largely an aesthetic choice. The second has clear functional use. The package includes one impeller with blade geometry optimized for standard forward airflow and a second impeller for reverse operation. Of course, neither feature is as exceptional as it might initially seem. Metallic frames have appeared on several fan models before, and the option to swap impellers was already available with the SWAFAN 12\/14<\/a>. Thermaltake later took this even further with the GT version and up to three impeller variants.<\/p>\n

\"Thermaltake<\/a><\/p>\n

FP2 fans naturally build on their predecessor, FP1, and although several aspects have changed\u2014for example, higher airflow and pressure figures, different bearings, and a higher rated MTBF\u2014the blade geometry itself has not undergone a fundamental redesign. Allow me one speculative remark. I may be mistaken, but at first glance the impeller geometry does not appear particularly efficient. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find many relevant reviews\u2014except one. In the Cybenetics database, it is possible to find results for the reverse version of the predecessor, i.e. APNX FP1-RQ 120mm ARGB<\/a>, which did reach its stated characteristics, but those are rather weak. Despite the advantage of greater thickness, comparison with other fans is quite embarrassing. This fan did not achieve any certification level\u2014not even the lowest\u2014within Cybenetics\u2019 rating system. A comparison with the king NF-A12x25 G2<\/a> is downright crushing. At a normalized noise level of 25 dBA, the Noctua fan delivers 60% higher airflow and an astonishing 270% higher static pressure.<\/p>\n

One last note on APNX fans. In images of the new APNX V2 case, we can spot a rear fan labeled in the specifications as the FP3-140 version, which the company does not yet sell separately. At first glance, its blade geometry appears more efficient than FP2 or FP1. There is still limited information available, but some relevant details can be found, for example on TechPowerUp<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Aesthetics appear to be the top priority<\/h3>\n

APNX is undoubtedly a brand that is not afraid to experiment with case construction and to bring a fresh perspective to internal layouts and overall visual identity. Innovative arrangements, panoramic designs, and a strong focus on aesthetics make it a manufacturer that can catch the eye at first glance. Design is precisely the area where APNX has been collecting recognition, including the iF Design and Red Dot awards.<\/p>\n

Here, however, the natural question arises as to how much these awards also reflect real technical innovation and performance. Design awards primarily evaluate appearance, concept, and execution\u2014not necessarily cooling efficiency or acoustic performance. Design is certainly very important for PC cases, but for coolers, fans, and power supplies it should no longer take center stage. With cases, APNX has already demonstrated not only aesthetics but also technical functionality, but with coolers and fans it has yet to do so. Here, APNX currently comes across more as a brand that puts design first, while performance still needs to be refined\u2014or confirmed\u2014in independent testing. If it manages to combine visually striking solutions with equally convincing performance results across its entire portfolio, not just cases, APNX could become a very strong player. For now, however, the impression remains that form takes precedence over performance. Only future product generations and relevant tests will show whether these two aspects can be brought into balance.<\/p>\n

In the next part, we will look at a company that has already demonstrated performance quality right from the start, even though some indications suggest that its origin is not exactly in the grassroots.<\/p>\n

English translation and edit by Jozef Dud\u00e1\u0161<\/em><\/p>\n