Alphacool Announces Apex Stealth Metal Fan

[FoulOnWhite]

Going by the stats on these, they could very well make me switch from the nice Noctua fans on my radiator. The flow at max speed is not the most important, as my fans are probably never at the 2000 rpm, max. So hopefully they will be as good as the nocs in the 500 to maybe 1500 rpm range that all my fans are set too on my fan curve. I just switch the controller source between CPU/GPU/H2o temp

 

[Waldorf]

@FoulOnWhite
those kind of parts arent really needed to start with LC, even a 100$ Arctic AIO is better in lowering case air temp/dumping heat externally,
than any air cooler will ever do.

i have no problem with experienced ppl using more expensive parts, but especially ppl using LC for the first time,
should start with something like an AIO (maybe with G1/4), and later swap/add parts.

i have the parts i mentioned earlier, running a 2080S on the loop as well, and short of doubling rad/pump etc,
i havent seen meaningful lower temps on more expensive loops.
and thats with the cpu block alone costing as much as Arctics 240 AIO.

i would never swap the cooler on a gpu, as you are always paying "more" (vs if it was not having a HS at all),
and usually the blocks are still more expensive than buying a WB gpu, ignoring for a moment that most brands
that offer WB, are usually binning the chips, with the LC units getting the best ones.
and you dont have to deal with (possible) warranty loss, or even the additional "work" of swapping the coolers.

 

[RH92]

You also need to consider the difference between measured and perceived noise level. A high pitch can be measured as less noisy but perceived as way more distracting (f.e. coil whine).

Sure but that's a different topic . Point was those measurements ( only measured noise ) were very dodgy compared to 3rd party measurements so they need to be taken with a huge grain of salt untill 3rd party measurements from major reviewers start to appear .

 

[Chris213]

Due to their announced performance ( and the debated results form igorsLab) Do you think on fan can replace a push/pull config with "normal" plastic fans on a thick radiator ?

 

[Kapone33]

@FoulOnWhite
those kind of parts arent really needed to start with LC, even a 100$ Arctic AIO is better in lowering case air temp/dumping heat externally,
than any air cooler will ever do.

i have no problem with experienced ppl using more expensive parts, but especially ppl using LC for the first time,
should start with something like an AIO (maybe with G1/4), and later swap/add parts.

i have the parts i mentioned earlier, running a 2080S on the loop as well, and short of doubling rad/pump etc,
i havent seen meaningful lower temps on more expensive loops.
and thats with the cpu block alone costing as much as Arctics 240 AIO.

i would never swap the cooler on a gpu, as you are always paying "more" (vs if it was not having a HS at all),
and usually the blocks are still more expensive than buying a WB gpu, ignoring for a moment that most brands
that offer WB, are usually binning the chips, with the LC units getting the best ones.
and you dont have to deal with (possible) warranty loss, or even the additional "work" of swapping the coolers.

Totally agree. The issue (depending on your position) is the heat that the Rad(s) give off to heat up the ambient temp in your environment.

@FoulOnWhite
those kind of parts arent really needed to start with LC, even a 100$ Arctic AIO is better in lowering case air temp/dumping heat externally,
than any air cooler will ever do.

i have no problem with experienced ppl using more expensive parts, but especially ppl using LC for the first time,
should start with something like an AIO (maybe with G1/4), and later swap/add parts.

i have the parts i mentioned earlier, running a 2080S on the loop as well, and short of doubling rad/pump etc,
i havent seen meaningful lower temps on more expensive loops.
and thats with the cpu block alone costing as much as Arctics 240 AIO.

i would never swap the cooler on a gpu, as you are always paying "more" (vs if it was not having a HS at all),
and usually the blocks are still more expensive than buying a WB gpu, ignoring for a moment that most brands
that offer WB, are usually binning the chips, with the LC units getting the best ones.
and you dont have to deal with (possible) warranty loss, or even the additional "work" of swapping the coolers.

Totally agree. The issue (depending on your position) is the heat that the Rad(s) give off to heat up the ambient temp in your environment.

Alphacool Quick connect is how I got into LC. I still use it today, no need to drain the loop to change a GPU.

 

[Nephilim666]

Do. Not. Preorder. Fans.

Now that Der8auer (and Cybenetics if you prefer stringent and fully standardised testing) have debunked all the dodgy marketing I hope no one believed Igor/Alphacool and threw their money away preordering fans.

I hope @EddyAlphacool will chime in to say that they (especially Cybenetics) have tested the fans wrong and double down on the BS.

 

[Noci]

Went through the YT reviews a few moments ago and I'm convinced it is just another exellent performing fan in the playing field.
Differences between the tested models are nicely shown in numbers/values, but in real live are merely marginal.

I'm again amused by how peeps get upset and want to roast Alphacool marketing for over-qualifying their product before launching it.
It's the nature marketing, they have to sell their product and just want a piece of the pie in a flooded product segment.
Like lots of experienced forum members always say; wait for independed tests and then form an opinion, based on facts.

In terms of fan evolution, I would rather like to see the central fanhub/motor disappearing and have some sort of mag-lev motor around the outside of the impellor. That way you create a bigger impellor surface where the air can get through and no mechanical friction (except for the pushed air) .

 

[FoulOnWhite]

Well, i am going to stick to the Noctua NF-A12

 

[EddyAlphacool]

@Nephilim666
I'm not going to say that Cybernetic, STS, Igor or even DerBauer or all those who follow are testing something wrong. Because if you're honest, you can dissect any test and accuse it of a wrong approach to testing. Why is one measuring device used and not the other? Why is the radiator or the air cooler used for testing? Why is the volume measured on a radiator and not on a case? The list goes on and on.
Everyone has their own test setup and draws their own results from it. We could also have blocked all reviews to show only the best test results for us. But we sent fans to everyone who wanted to test them.
Regardless of whether we had a good or bad standing with the reviewers or had already done something with the reviewers.
For example, STS is someone we have never worked with directly before, so that we get as many results as possible.
And over 250 fans was sent out to reviewer. These will also come in the next few weeks or months.
Either way, with the Stealth fan, everyone gets an excellent fan that is extremely quiet and offers a unique feel.

Btw STS video:

 

[FoulOnWhite]

It is always nice to have some new good looking fans in the mix. According to the reviews i have seen, they are not awful by any means and i will more than likely buy a couple for my own curiosity. I did a lot of reading before i chose the Noctua NF-A12's even though some say they are the best and some not. They are certainly not cheap though, so any new fans that can come close at a better price will be a win in my book.

 

[TechLurker]

For what it's worth, I like STS' review since they do address the difference in perceived noise vs a mere decibel number, and the Stealth M Fans do appear to sound quieter in the normal, perceivable range at certain RPMs vs the Phanteks T30 and the Noctua A12x25, and we also get a decent audio sample of them in the best controlled scenario yet (until GN and maybe LTT put the fans through their paces in their anechoic test chambers).

As well, STS' review (and Jayz' review) mention how straight the flow path and throw distance appears to be relative to the two top rivals, which brings to mind server-grade fans (and the old Silverstone Air Penetrators), thanks to the counter-vanes that also serve to hold the hub to the frame body, which are used to help straighten the airflow for more a tighter projection, and depending, penetration rate, of air. Seems like it'd be great for intake, but would probably do well with a small spacer or shroud to allow some air to build-up and flow past the dead spot directly behind the hub and to the corner spots on radiators (unlike the two competitors where the air is flung out in a cone, hitting the corners). Especially since Der8auer's tests show some issues in the radiator tests.

That said, I am curious if the Stealth Metal Fan is optimized on high FPI radiators or low FPI radiators. Are those still even a thing nowadays? I recall it used to be a big deal even after custom watercooling became mainstream in the 2010s since Europe used to prefer low FPI rads and lower-RPM fans vs America using high FPI rads and higher RPM fans to get enough air through it. As well, what radiator thicknesses it's ideal for, as the radiator's thickness can affect performance too. Here's hoping GN can do a deep dive with them covering all that, like they did in one of their past fan reviews. Although I don't think they'll cover performance with a shroud/spacer, since that's still apparently too niche for mainstream watercooling (I still do it, space permitting).

 

[TechLurker]

Addition: Hardware Busters has done their review of the Alphacool Metal Fan utilizing a Long Win fan testing device. It's worth noting that the tests are strictly comparing it in a free flow manner (insofar as no heatsink or radiator testing). Spec-wise, it aligns with Alphacool's revised package numbers, which were based off the Cybernetics testing.

Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal Power 120mm Fan Review - Heavy Metal Fan! - Hardware Busters

Hardware Busters - Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal Power 120mm Fan Review - Heavy Metal Fan! - Cooling

hwbusters.com

YT Summary of his review:

As more reviews trickle in, I'm reconsidering my position on these for now. They look great, and perform somewhere in the upper-middle depending on review and use-case, but I'll probably end up sticking with the Phanteks T30s, the Super Flower MEGACOOLs, or the SanAces I currently have.

 

[Heiro78]

Addition: Hardware Busters has done their review of the Alphacool Metal Fan utilizing a Long Win fan testing device. It's worth noting that the tests are strictly comparing it in a free flow manner (insofar as no heatsink or radiator testing). Spec-wise, it aligns with Alphacool's revised package numbers, which were based off the Cybernetics testing.

Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal Power 120mm Fan Review - Heavy Metal Fan! - Hardware Busters

Hardware Busters - Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal Power 120mm Fan Review - Heavy Metal Fan! - Cooling

hwbusters.com

YT Summary of his review:

As more reviews trickle in, I'm reconsidering my position on these for now. They look great, and perform somewhere in the upper-middle depending on review and use-case, but I'll probably end up sticking with the Phanteks T30s, the Super Flower MEGACOOLs, or the SanAces I currently have.

I'm still waiting on Gamer Nexus, Hardware Canucks, and of course Techpowerup to have reviews.

 

[Fungi]

A Swedish review also shows disappointing results, and Igor's Lab themselves have released a bunch of confused forum posts on how they need to redo measurements because of unreliable measurement equipment. Honestly turning out to be a big joke aside from having low noise levels at high RPMs (which does not translate directly to good performance)
At this point there are multiple reviews that all point in the same direction, that this is a big flop.

 

[FoulOnWhite]

A Swedish review also shows disappointing results, and Igor's Lab themselves have released a bunch of confused forum posts on how they need to redo measurements because of unreliable measurement equipment. Honestly turning out to be a big joke aside from having low noise levels at high RPMs (which does not translate directly to good performance)
At this point there are multiple reviews that all point in the same direction, that this is a big flop.

Just read that test, not biased at all and a pretty poor result for the stealth fan.

 

[Deesider]

@Nephilim666
I'm not going to say that Cybernetic, STS, Igor or even DerBauer or all those who follow are testing something wrong. Because if you're honest, you can dissect any test and accuse it of a wrong approach to testing. Why is one measuring device used and not the other? Why is the radiator or the air cooler used for testing? Why is the volume measured on a radiator and not on a case? The list goes on and on.
Everyone has their own test setup and draws their own results from it. We could also have blocked all reviews to show only the best test results for us. But we sent fans to everyone who wanted to test them.
Regardless of whether we had a good or bad standing with the reviewers or had already done something with the reviewers.
For example, STS is someone we have never worked with directly before, so that we get as many results as possible.
And over 250 fans was sent out to reviewer. These will also come in the next few weeks or months.
Either way, with the Stealth fan, everyone gets an excellent fan that is extremely quiet and offers a unique feel.

Btw STS video:

Isn't the issue that Alphacool (i.e. you) promoted presales of the fan using results that you knew were impossible?

There is no test setup where the results below can be achieved, and yet you told everyone that these results are real.

 

[TechLurker]

Idly, Scythe's new flagship and successor to their former Gentle Typhoons, the Grand Tornado, is now available for sale for 20 USD. Should be a good option to test as well against the likes of the classic GT, the A12x25, the T30, the Alphacool Apex Metal Fan, and the Super Flower Megacool.

Notably, it runs in a clockwise manner, so one could do novel things if paired with a counter-clockwise fan to straighten out the airflow (tweaking the RPMs to adjust the conical air throw), similar to server-grade 76mm fans that use two fans to both straighten and send the air a long ways.