Testing

For the testing phase of this review I have decided to compare these fans to another brand of fan that are noted for their low DB and their build quality; Noiseblocker (with their latest range of 120mm and 90mm fans).

It is very difficult to test system fans fairly as there are many factors that would need to be taken into account. However, since we can assume that the fan that moves the most air will provide the best cooling we can compare them on different fronts; their noise, features and longevity.

To do this, both sets of fans were left running for one week in our test PC to see how audible they are during day to day activities and also how much dust would build up on the fan blades in this short time.

Results

Over the week I heard almost nothing from the Noiseblocker fans and was very impressed that not once did I take note of them moving much above inaudible. The AC fans were much the same with almost silence being the name of the game. However, at some points they did make a dull hum; nothing to make a scene of, but there is a slight noise to the 120mm fan.

The PWM cabling of the AC fans was useful in terms of keeping the AC fan noise down, even during intense gaming with overclocks high they were very quiet indeed. The fact that this feature was not on the Noiseblocker fans was not really of any concern because they remained very quiet even at 100% speed, but it would be nice to know that they perhaps had a bit of extra juice when overclocking for example; at least you know that the AC fans are holding back slightly, waiting for when the RPM is needed.

In terms of dust build up, the AC fans were the clear winners. The smooth blades on the fans meant that at the end of the week there was barely any dust build up at all, with only a thin film in the corners of some of the fans. The Noiseblocker's didn't fare so well with dust being present, thinly, across most of the fan blades. The ridged structure of the blades made perfect pockets for dust; these fans will need irregular cleaning to keep them working properly.

Cost

The AC fans range in price from £5 for an 80mm and £9 for a 120mm which is a little bit cheaper than Noiseblocker's offerings which tend to be around £7 and £10 respectively.