High-speed Aluminum Case Fan in Development by Cooler Master, Capable of Reaching 4,000 Rotations Per Minute
Revamped Article:
Cooler Master's latest MasterFan XT lineup is taking a giant leap forward, bulking up to a whopping 30 mm, compared to the standard 25 mm. This new trend in fan design, adopted by Hyte, Lian Li, and others, boosts airflow and static pressure, or allows for reduced fan speeds while delivering the same performance as a standard 25 mm fan.
Although the standard XT fans will be manufactured using the typical plastic blades and frames, and will come in standard 120 mm and 140 mm sizes to accommodate various case and cooling needs, Cooler Master also revealed an XT Pro model, sporting an all-aluminum frame and fan blades. According to a company representative, this metal upgrade cuts down vibration and noise while enabling slower fan rotation and quieter overall operation. Interestingly, a noise-loving enthusiast might want to question this design choice, as a premium metal fan's buyer usually prioritizes absolute air-moving performance over silent operation.
Despite this, Cooler Master clarified that the aluminum MF XT Pro fans will power through at 4,000 RPM—a speed that typically belongs in server rooms, not in the confines of a PC case. This performance level is beyond what we expect from a reasonably quiet-running PC, so it remains to be seen what these spinners will sound like within a case. Yet, in everyday gaming or mainstream productivity workloads, these fans should never need to max out their speeds.
Still, safety concerns arise when shipping a product with metal blades designed to run at such high speeds. A Cooler Master representative assured us that all of the MF XT Pro fans will ship with a fin grill to safeguard your fingers. We can expect this protection from the front, though it's essential to remember to turn off your PC before poking around inside the case if the XT Pro fan becomes part of your next build.
Past controversies surrounding metal fans under-delivering on performance are also a valid concern. Thankfully, Cooler Master seems to be focusing on fine-tuning the XT Pro fans to deliver class-leading performance, which likely justifies the potentially hefty premium over their plastic counterparts. Until then, we'll content ourselves with the readily available plastic or, in rare cases, glass-reinforced liquid crystal polymer fans on the market.
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Enrichment Data:
Insights:
- The XT Pro fans' increased thickness and max speed translates to significantly higher airflow and static pressure compared to standard fans.
- The metal construction of the XT Pro fans not only helps reduce vibration, but it also enables quieter operation at moderate speeds.
- While details on other premium metal fans are limited, the XT Pro fans' characteristics position them competitively within the high-performance metal fan market, making them attractive to users seeking both high-performance cooling and improved acoustics.
- Despite the fans' high-speed capabilities, during everyday usage, they should not need to reach their max speed.
- Although these fans might be louder at peak RPMs than metal fans designed primarily for silent operation, they should operate quietly under normal usage conditions.
Keep in mind that these bulky XT Pro fans are intended for enthusiasts who want maximum cooling and a better acoustic profile.
Background:
- All-aluminum construction reduces fan vibration and noise, enhancing performance and quieter operation.
- Increasing the fan thickness (30 mm versus 25 mm) provides a larger blade area, boosting airflow and static pressure.
- Premium metal fans have varied RPMs, with some designed primarily for silence and others for high airflow, depending on the target market.
Overall, Cooler Master's MasterFan XT Pro strikes an excellent balance between high-performance cooling and improved acoustics, making it an enticing option for enthusiasts and PC builders seeking maximum cooling while minimizing noise.
The Cooler Master MasterFan XT Pro, with its all-aluminum construction and increased thickness, offers a balance between high-performance cooling and improved acoustics, setting it apart in the high-performance metal fan market. These gadgets showcase data-and-cloud-computing technology, featuring a larger blade area for enhanced airflow and static pressure, making them an attractive choice for enthusiasts prioritizing both cooling efficiency and a quieter operation.
