Two loons, a papst, and a coolermaster
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 11:51 am
FAN TEST II
TEST EQUIPMENT USED:
Thermaltake Hardcano 13 fan controller
TBAL fan controller
Kleenex brand anemometer (stick with strips of kleenex)
Bounty reference microphone (paper towel cardboard tube)
NOTES ABOUT TEST METHODOLOGY:
Forefinger blade tap maneuver - When I first pick up a fan, especially if its clear or translucent, I always tap the blades to see if its different from typical black fans. I can't hear that clear plastic fans in actual use sound worse than black ones, although this might be something you can pick up in time and I'm just recording this for future reference.
Forefinger spin maneuver - This test is just a quick spin of the blades by hand to see how well its balanced. This is useful because the yate loons really stand out as having excellent balance. The naming convention is sort of a spoof, but these tests serve as part of a visual inspection to determine build quality. Really, I'm looking for something that will make a particular fan stand out or fare not so well against the others.
PAPST 4412F/2GL w/rpm sensing
Top speed: 1630 rpm
Forefinger blade tap maneuver: Dull click
Forefinger blade spin maneuver: Extremely smooth and well balanced
Build quality: Very good - heavier than most
Speeds tested: 650/1000/1630
Bearing noise
Veritical: none all speeds
Off axis: moderate all speeds
Motor noise: minimal and unobtrusive at all speeds
Air delivery: minimal flutter
Vibration: minimal
OBSERVATIONS: Great fan. More bearing noise than usual off axis but shouldn't be a problem. Sintec bearing seems to allow blades to move perpindicular to face of fan - could also be a reason for quietness
TEKGEMS YATE LOON D12SL-12 w/rpm sensing
Top speed: 1350 rpm
Forefinger blade tap maneuver: Dull click
Forefinger blade spin maneuver: Extremely smooth and well balanced
Build quality: Very good
Speeds tested: 650/1000/1350
Bearing noise
Veritical: minimal at 650
Off axis: moderate all speeds
Motor noise: minimal, low frequency, and neutral at all speeds
Air delivery: very smooth
Vibration: mimimal
OBSERVATIONS: Great fan characterized by extreme smoothness. Some bearing noise observed at lower speeds, but shouldn't be a problem. Slightly higher frequency motor noise that Nexus.
PCTEK YATE LOON D12SM-12 w/o rpm sensing
Top speed: 1650 rpm
Forefinger blade tap maneuver: Dull click
Forefinger blade spin maneuver: Extremely smooth and well balanced
Build quality: Very good
Speeds tested: 650/1000/1650
Bearing noise
Veritical: none
Off axis: moderate all speeds
Motor noise: minimal, low frequency, and neutral at all speeds
Air delivery: very smooth
Vibration: mimimal
OBSERVATIONS: Great fan characterized by extreme smoothness. My sample did not have any signifcant bearing noise. Slightly higher frequency motor noise that Nexus. Virtually the same as D12SL-12 only faster.
COOLERMASTER A12025-12CB-5BN-L1 with rpm sensing
UPDATE: The new model number is SUF-S12
Top speed: 1200 rpm
Forefinger blade tap maneuver: Dull click
Forefinger blade spin maneuver: very smooth and well balanced
Build quality: Very good
Speeds tested: 650/1000/1200
Bearing noise
Veritical: none
Off axis: none
Motor noise: minimal, unobtrusive, and neutral at all speeds
Air delivery: very smooth
Vibration: mimimal
OBSERVATIONS: Great fan with no bearing noise whatsoever. Motor noise was unobtrusive. Not quite as smooth as the Yate Loon models but every bit as quiet. If you are sensitive to bearing noise this may be a better choice that the Yate Loons
WRAP UP:
There are more similarities than differences among these fans especially at 650 rpm. The Papst proved itself to be very versatile with a relatively high top speed. A really really good fan. The Yate Loons stand out as being extremely smooth and well balanced. I prefered the D12SM-12 from PCTEK because of its higher top speed, but at 1630 rpm its not really that much faster than the D12SL-12. Chances are most of these fans will be run at <1000 rpm anyway. The Coolermaster was again a surprise and a confirmation of my original test of this fan. It does not have the characteristic smoothness of the Yate Loons, but it doesn't have any bearing noise and motor noise is unobtrusive. - FG
FAN TEST I
TEST EQUIPMENT USED:
Thermaltake Hardcano 13 fan controller
TBAL fan controller
Kleenex brand anemometer (stick with strips of kleenex)
Bounty reference microphone (paper towel cardboard tube)
NOTES ABOUT TEST METHODOLOGY:
Forefinger blade tap maneuver - When I first pick up a fan, especially if its clear or translucent, I always tap the blades to see if its different from typical black fans. I can't hear that clear plastic fans in actual use sound worse than black ones, although this might be something you can pick up in time and I'm just recording this for future reference.
Forefinger spin maneuver - This test is just a quick spin of the blades by hand to see how well its balanced. This is useful because the yate loons really stand out as having excellent balance. The naming convention is sort of a spoof, but these tests serve as part of a visual inspection to determine build quality. Really, I'm looking for something that will make a particular fan stand out or fare not so well against the others.
PAPST 4412F/2GL w/rpm sensing
Top speed: 1630 rpm
Forefinger blade tap maneuver: Dull click
Forefinger blade spin maneuver: Extremely smooth and well balanced
Build quality: Very good - heavier than most
Speeds tested: 650/1000/1630
Bearing noise
Veritical: none all speeds
Off axis: moderate all speeds
Motor noise: minimal and unobtrusive at all speeds
Air delivery: minimal flutter
Vibration: minimal
OBSERVATIONS: Great fan. More bearing noise than usual off axis but shouldn't be a problem. Sintec bearing seems to allow blades to move perpindicular to face of fan - could also be a reason for quietness
TEKGEMS YATE LOON D12SL-12 w/rpm sensing
Top speed: 1350 rpm
Forefinger blade tap maneuver: Dull click
Forefinger blade spin maneuver: Extremely smooth and well balanced
Build quality: Very good
Speeds tested: 650/1000/1350
Bearing noise
Veritical: minimal at 650
Off axis: moderate all speeds
Motor noise: minimal, low frequency, and neutral at all speeds
Air delivery: very smooth
Vibration: mimimal
OBSERVATIONS: Great fan characterized by extreme smoothness. Some bearing noise observed at lower speeds, but shouldn't be a problem. Slightly higher frequency motor noise that Nexus.
PCTEK YATE LOON D12SM-12 w/o rpm sensing
Top speed: 1650 rpm
Forefinger blade tap maneuver: Dull click
Forefinger blade spin maneuver: Extremely smooth and well balanced
Build quality: Very good
Speeds tested: 650/1000/1650
Bearing noise
Veritical: none
Off axis: moderate all speeds
Motor noise: minimal, low frequency, and neutral at all speeds
Air delivery: very smooth
Vibration: mimimal
OBSERVATIONS: Great fan characterized by extreme smoothness. My sample did not have any signifcant bearing noise. Slightly higher frequency motor noise that Nexus. Virtually the same as D12SL-12 only faster.
COOLERMASTER A12025-12CB-5BN-L1 with rpm sensing
UPDATE: The new model number is SUF-S12
Top speed: 1200 rpm
Forefinger blade tap maneuver: Dull click
Forefinger blade spin maneuver: very smooth and well balanced
Build quality: Very good
Speeds tested: 650/1000/1200
Bearing noise
Veritical: none
Off axis: none
Motor noise: minimal, unobtrusive, and neutral at all speeds
Air delivery: very smooth
Vibration: mimimal
OBSERVATIONS: Great fan with no bearing noise whatsoever. Motor noise was unobtrusive. Not quite as smooth as the Yate Loon models but every bit as quiet. If you are sensitive to bearing noise this may be a better choice that the Yate Loons
WRAP UP:
There are more similarities than differences among these fans especially at 650 rpm. The Papst proved itself to be very versatile with a relatively high top speed. A really really good fan. The Yate Loons stand out as being extremely smooth and well balanced. I prefered the D12SM-12 from PCTEK because of its higher top speed, but at 1630 rpm its not really that much faster than the D12SL-12. Chances are most of these fans will be run at <1000 rpm anyway. The Coolermaster was again a surprise and a confirmation of my original test of this fan. It does not have the characteristic smoothness of the Yate Loons, but it doesn't have any bearing noise and motor noise is unobtrusive. - FG
FAN TEST I