Page 3 - Performance Tests
Using our tried-and-true APH proprietary 'scientific' method for measuring fan performance we devised back in 2007 by our Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Kwan, it is no surprise that we are using it for this review as well. While it is not exactly the most objective method you can use (No kidding haha), there are a few attributes of fan performance that we can obtain clearly from our observations: Airflow, airflow consistency, and amount of static pressure generated. It visually portrays characteristics of each fan.
Since I still have the BitFenix Recon, I am using this for the performance tests, and hopefully there are no smoky surprises. In many situations, it would be better to run the fans at higher speeds to introduce a greater volume of air into the system, but since I had the choice to test the same fan with two different speeds, I chose to do that. With the tissue paper attached and each fan connected, I set the Spectre Pro LED Blue to run at its maximum fan speed of 1200 RPM, and the Spectre Pro LED Red at a speed of 1000 RPM, to get a better comparison in airflow and noise produced. Because the Spectre Pro LED Blue was at its maximum speed, it was no surprise it holds the tissue paper at a greater height. While the tissue paper is held high near the fan due to a steady amount of static pressure, the tissue paper quickly dropped off at the end. This could be accredited to the design of the larger width in the fan blades. While there was little wavering of the tissue paper, the total output of air was quite disappointing. For a 120mm fan, I expected a lot more. For obvious reasons, the Spectre Pro LED Red's tissue paper did not fly as high, since it was running at a slower setting. However, even at maximum speed, both of these fans did not move much air.
Perceived sound is another important factor when testing these fans. There is a limitation to this however, as it can be quite subjective to both the listener and the environment of the fans. Here at APH Networks, we strive for as little noise as possible. The noise levels of these fans were tested independently in a quiet room with all other noises from our system isolated to ensure we are testing these fans alone. We rate the perceived noise on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is silence, while 10 is the loudest. Both fans at its maximum fan speed would be rated at 2.5/10. This is really good, but keep in mind they do not move a whole lot of air, which is a problem. While silence is golden, I would prefer a slight compromise in noise to get better airflow -- or with some products we have reviewed in the past, it is possible to achieve both.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. A Closer Look - Hardware
3. Performance Tests
4. Conclusion
