Zalman Intros ZM-SF3 Case Fans with ''Shark's Fin Blade'' Design

[btarunr]

Zalman today announced the ZM-SF3 fans in Europe, which feature what it calls "Shark's fin Blade" design. The ridges and protrusions on each fan-blade reduce turbulence, resulting in a better airflow to rotational speed ratio, and more importantly, reduced noise. This fan blade design is backed by a motor that makes use of what Zalman calls "Everlasting Quiet" (ELQ) bearing that makes use of a nano-composite material that results in a lifespan of over 150,000 hours with minimum noise.

The fan's frame uses blocks of silicone at its corners that dampen vibration, and silicone pins are provided instead of metal screws that bring down vibration transfer to the chassis even further. This results in a rated noise level of under 25 dBA. The fan measures 120 x 120 x 26.4 mm, weighing 118 g. It spins at speeds between 900 and 1,500 rpm. It takes its power from a 3-pin power connector. Zalman, however, did not announce pricing.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[chaotic_uk]

no mention of the cfm ?

 

[Meizuman]

At least they are being somewhat truthful when they say under 25 dBA. I've seen claims under 15 dBA... Even 30 dBA would be fine, though its the frequency that matters the most. Low humming can be quite loud before it gets audible or annoying..

 

[qamulek]

Getting the Krazy glue and the WD-40 out now to retro fit my current fans into super efficient and quiet fans~~~ While I'm at it I'll try poke small holes on the leading edge of the fins like they do in airplane/jet wings. Sadly I don't have a mic or some way to measure rpm to see if it helps any.....

 

[WarEagleAU]

I want some of these fans. I love the white theme. Wish CM would make a white HAF case.

 

[tkpenalty]

about time someone designs fan blades with vortex generators....

What they should really do is double staged fanblades instead, so you could have more fan blades moving more air with less stalling.

 

[radeon747]

More like shark fin blade dust collector to me

 

[twilyth]

about time someone designs fan blades with vortex generators....

What they should really do is double staged fanblades instead, so you could have more fan blades moving more air with less stalling.

I thought those fins looked familiar - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vortex_generator

Although I don't really understand how disrupting laminar flow helps a fan perform better. {shrug}

 

[horizon2600]

Nice to see accessories getting style.

 

[Tannhäuser]

More like shark fin blade dust collector to me

Exactly that's what I worried about at first glance. Those detailed structures on the fins are collecting dust. Changes on performance and loudness over some weeks are preassigned.

 

[Mussels]

More like shark fin blade dust collector to me

i lold.


the fans may be quite good, but that is a valid concern.

 

[inferKNOX]

It's a shame that ultimately these are great they are their most useless, off and standing still for you to ogle at. Other than that, when they're on, it's just another white fan. Sort of like gfx cards with fancy looking heatsinks, when you're going to be looking at the screen not the heatsink.
Even the noise reduction is by such a slim margin that it doesn't warrant interest for silence's sake either.

Put simply: Gimmick.

 

[toyo]

Yeah, dust and maybe also increased drag, with more surface area in contact with air. I see these like something that one would buy because of the name "Shark" and they pretty nice overall look, not based on actual performance needs.

I bet there will be lots of systems based on these fans and all kinda coloured LEDs in the near future... "Man I got Shark fin Blade fans! Pfff... they sound so bad they surely pwn everything ever sold in the fan category"...

 

[Tannhäuser]

Well, in case (haha) I'd plan to build a setting with white components (like http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/NZXT-Phantom-Big-Tower-white-gedaemmt::14898.html ), of course I'd consider buying those shark fins. Coz it makes sense in some installation concepts.

 

[tkpenalty]

I thought those fins looked familiar - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vortex_generator

Although I don't really understand how disrupting laminar flow helps a fan perform better. {shrug}

Similarly you could use a golfball design, forgot the company that did it, but that also works. In theory zalman SHOULD be able to add even more fan blades with these...

whats next? Gurney tabs?

Yeah, dust and maybe also increased drag, with more surface area in contact with air. I see these like something that one would buy because of the name "Shark" and they pretty nice overall look, not based on actual performance needs.

I bet there will be lots of systems based on these fans and all kinda coloured LEDs in the near future... "Man I got Shark fin Blade fans! Pfff... they sound so bad they surely pwn everything ever sold in the fan category"...

Much less drag actually

U see those fins on an evo IX and X? they're not decorative, they actually speed up airflow, forcing it faster under the rear wing than it usually would be, so that there would be more downforce generated. Its the same concept... (and they should be on every car)

EDIT: Only issue I see is the very direct nature of airflow, increased pressure. Good thing is lowered turbulence with cleaner airflow.

 

[Bundy]

Most fans of this speed are fairly quiet anyway. Well at least they are until they get dusty and that what got me wondering how much difference this mod will make in real life.

 

[dr emulator (madmax)]

More like shark fin blade dust collector to me

meh get the hoover out once in a while

 

[AsRock]

Rubber corners LMFAO, so failed there as were the screw actually screws in is plastic.

 

[douglatins]

I really super hate these days that all fans are below 2000RPM, i mean what the heck are they thinking

 

[Mussels]

I really super hate these days that all fans are below 2000RPM, i mean what the heck are they thinking

they're thinking 'thank god that f*#king annoying noise has gone away'

 

[Tannhäuser]

I really super hate these days that all fans are below 2000RPM, i mean what the heck are they thinking

Oh, that's okay for my watercooled sys.

 

[D4S4]

about time someone designs fan blades with vortex generators....

What they should really do is double staged fanblades instead, so you could have more fan blades moving more air with less stalling.

something like this? delta GFB series

 

[ebolamonkey3]

I really super hate these days that all fans are below 2000RPM, i mean what the heck are they thinking

I believe these are what you want.

http://db.sanyodenki.co.jp/product_db_e/coolingfan/dcfan/longlife_read.html

Though here's the thing, a bunch of these 38mm fans will work wonders on your radiator, but then it completely negates one of watercooling's positives, which is supposed to be silence. If you slap 5 of these on your radiator, your computer's going to be loud as hell, and at that point you might as well just strap them to your video card and it'll probably cool them just as well.

 

[twilyth]

I had a Scythe UltraKaze in one machine and I had to take it out because I could hear it in my bedroom. It's a great fan, but unless you are going to put the rig in a room far, far away, I wouldn't recommend it.

I also found out that certain pitches are particularly annoying for me. The room it was in has 2 high velocity fans plus a box fan. They don't bother me at all. But I could pick out the UK fan with no problem.

 

[pentastar111]

Personally I use these fans, they are a little noisy but are capable of 70+ to 100+ cfm. The silence maniacs would have one believe that massive amounts of air can be moved with little noise. I disagree. You wont find a 1500 rpm that can compete with one capable of reaching over 2500-3000 rpm. And besides when I'm killing zombies with the headphones on I cant hear the fans anyway! lol

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=36_49&products_id=4573

http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...ge=product_info&cPath=36_49&products_id=24517

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5..._w_RPM_Sensor_FBA12G12H1BX.html?tl=g36c15s562