Alphacool Announces Apex Stealth Metal Fan

[btarunr]

Performance you can't hear! Alphacool presents the new Apex Stealth metal fan, a powerful and extremely quiet fan that knows how to impress. High-quality, elegant as well as timeless design and technical innovation - that's what the Apex Stealth stands for. With the patent-pending decoupling technology, the robust metal frame and a special rotor, it remains the quietest on the market at any speed.

The fan technology represents a groundbreaking new development. The fan blades, the motor and its suspension are completely decoupled from the metal frame. For this purpose, a special damping system was placed between the metal frame and the fan, which absorbs all vibrations. This type of decoupling is an absolutely new system, which is brought to the market by Alphacool for the first time with the Apex fan.



As a true all-rounder, the Apex Stealth sets completely new standards. Due to the very high airflow and static pressure, it is not only ideal for mounting on radiators, but also works perfectly as a case fan with its excellent airflow. The Stealth metal fan can be controlled via the 4-pin PWM connector between 400 to 2000 rpm, the power fan variant even up to 3000rpm. As usual with Alphacool, several fans can be effortlessly connected in series via daisy chain. The design of the frame allows clever hiding of the cable in the corners. The 6-pole motor in combination with the HDB (Hydro Dynamic Bearing) ensures exceptionally quiet running and high durability.

The Apex product line from Alphacool represents the highest perfection. First-class materials and innovative technologies guarantee a unique premium product. Consisting of high-quality metal, the curved frame gives the Apex Stealth its distinctive design and fits perfectly into any PC build.

The Alphacool Apex Stealth metal fan is available for pre-order in Matte Black, Chrome, White and Gold color options at 2,000 RPM each or as a Power fan at 3,000 RPM in our store.

Features:

• Dimensions (L x W x H): 120 x 120 x 25 mm
• Frame Material: Die-cast zinc
• Zero RPM control, Tacho signal, Auto-restart

Apex Stealth Metal Fan:

• Speed: 400 - 2000rpm
• Power Consumption: 2.64 Watt
• Air Flow: 76.81 CFM
• Static Air Pressure: 3.88 mmH2O
• Noise Level: 24.6 dBA

Apex Stealth Metal Power Fan:

• Speed: 400 - 3000rpm
• Power Consumption: 6.60 Watt
• Air Flow: 116.89 CFM
• Static Air Pressure: 6.22 mm H₂O
• Noise Level: 40.2 dBA

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[ZoneDymo]

Wish GN's fan-testing machines were ready for use.

 

[Fungi]

If this fan performs as absurdly well as they claim it's going to destroy all of the competition. The graphs look like jokes to me until tests and reviews start coming out though.

Alphacool International GmbH - Water cooling specialist

High End Water Cooling for: OEM Manufacturing - DIY Solutions - Industrial Cooler - Enterprise Solutions - German Development - Own Manufacturing - Since 2003!

www.alphacool.com

 

[Carlyle2020hs]

Due dilligence takes time. Good luck Steve !

Until then Igors Lab is ready, has a searchable database for fan tests (still beta) and provides sound samples so you can listen to the fans yourself.

We just have to wait a bit.

 

[CheapMeat]

watch your fingers! lol

Also curious, is it overall better for all fans when the blade tip is attached to the frame and the frame itself spins?

 

[kapone32]

Air Flow: 76.81 CFM: WOW

Noise Level: 24.6 dBA: WOW

Speed: 400 - 3000rpm: Wow

Sounds too good to be true.

 

[Chomiq]

Air Flow: 76.81 CFM: WOW

Noise Level: 24.6 dBA: WOW

Speed: 400 - 3000rpm: Wow

Sounds too good to be true.

Maybe read the spec again.

 

[kapone32]

Maybe read the spec again.

Im sorry I put the wrong speed it actually is 2000 RPM. That CFM is just as high as my Noctua 3000 RPM fan and that is a 140MM.

 

[ecomorph]

Where's the catch?

 

[natr0n]

I have an evercool 92mm metal fan. has 4 leds rainbow colored too

 

[gurusmi]

Im sorry I put the wrong speed it actually is 2000 RPM. That CFM is just as high as my Noctua 3000 RPM fan and that is a 140MM.

Not that really.

The last shown picture says 3.000rpm whilst the data sheet below says both. That's is a bit confusing at the first view. They talk about two versions. an normal one and a "power" one.

 

[Crackong]

Looks cool.
But my watercooling setup uses all 140.......

 

[thesmokingman]

Air Flow: 76.81 CFM: WOW

Noise Level: 24.6 dBA: WOW

Speed: 400 - 3000rpm: Wow

Sounds too good to be true.

There's no regulation so they can basically print whatever they want. Concur with the bolded.

 

[Double-Click]

+1 let's wait and see what the real test results are.
Advertised fan ratings are usually overblown (no pun intended).

 

[cvaldes]

Where's the catch?

Looking at the specs and making some guesstimates, there are several.

1.) Initial cost - this is not going to be a cheap fan.
2.) TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) - this fan consumes more power. That means higher electricity costs over the long run. While that might mean nothing to you, it would certainly be a factor for data center customers. Normalized for air movement, it may end up using less power. I'm not sure if any third party testing group measures power consumption for fans.
3.) Top peak noise - It's about 24 dBa. Compared to the Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM (about 22 dBa), that's almost twice as loud. Normalized for air movement, it may be quieter. Some third party tester will need to confirm.
4.) Weight - this is metal. It's going to weigh more. Might not be a factor for a home hobbyist building a gaming PC. It would be a factor in some usage cases where mobility is valued.
5.) Lack of addressable RGB - there is none. This would definitely come across as a shortcoming of this particular product to a certain audience.
6.) Durability? - this particular design has not established any sort of track record in real world customer situations. This might include changing acoustical performance over time. I've dealt with plenty of non-PC fans over my life and as far as I can tell, they sound different (usually worse) as they age and components wear down.

One note about noise. Fans have different acoustical signatures based on frequency and amplitude. They don't emit a sine wave at one frequency. The end result is that some fans are more annoying than others even if the noise levels are the same. I have an inexpensive Acer ultrabook and the fan on it is really annoying, like a mosquito, so I avoid usage cases that make the fan kick in (like transcoding video). I have no problem transcoding video on my Mac mini M2 Pro because its fan is very quiet (even at its constant 1700 rpm speed) and the acoustical signature is far more pleasant.

We don't know anything about this fan's noise characteristics beyond the dBa measurement which most certainly does not tell the whole story.

For sure, data center customers place far greater value on performance-per-watt and performance-per-dollar metrics compared to home hobbyists, gamers, etc. So the pros and cons for this device (or really any piece of manufactured equipment - not just PC components) is in the eye of the beholder. Remember that increased power consumption results in more heat which data center customers have to address, whether it be fans, HVAC systems, or more exotic cooling strategies, all of which increase cost.

Those are just a handful of things on the top of my head from a brief glance. I'm sure there are more.

 

[bonehead123]

Sooo... are the fan BLADES also metal, or is the tag line intentionally meant to be deceptive ???

Based on the pics, it seems like it should say "Metal-framed Fan" instead of just "Metal"

Also, just how many arms, legs, left kidneys, & 1st born childs is this engineering marvel gonna cost us anywayz ?

 

[ymdhis]

Where's the catch?

I can see a few:
- how long does Alphacools hydro bearing motors last?
- compared to a NF-A12x25 it has 30% better airflow and 50% better static pressure, but almost twice the noise levels (decibel is not a linear scale). Also 50% more power usage (not a big deal ).
- we don't know the sound level at different RPM. It's possible it won't scale as well.
- we don't know the sound profile. it could have a lower noise level but at such a frequency that it's twice as annoying.

The performance and noise will need to be tested. On paper the Noctua still seems the better choice for whisper quiet operation.

 

[thesmokingman]

Sooo... are the fan BLADES also metal, or is the tag line intentionally meant to be deceptive ???

Based on the pics, it seems like it should say "Metal-framed Fan" instead of just "Metal"

Nailed it on the latter. Last pic cutaway says full metal yet only points to the frame/clamshell.

 

[Fungi]

All your questions are supposedly answered on the official page I linked, yalls need to have a look.

 

[cvaldes]

All your questions are supposedly answered on the official page I linked, yalls need to have a look.
View attachment 316466

Again, that does not address differences in the sound profile of various fans. These are all 120mm PC fans operating in a similar range of speeds. However the acoustics can change very quickly from one speed to another.

My Beelink Mini S12 Pro has a fan that's nearly inaudible to me at 2600 rpm, but much more pronounced at 3000 rpm. I have various fans in other systems/builds running at different speeds and I will tell you that each system has a unique acoustical signature which changes depending on load.

The sound meters that are used to test dBA do nothing to analyze individual sound profiles. And people's ears are different anyhow. A noise that bothers one person might be less objectionable to someone else.

 

[drpoor]

Alphacool has a recent track record of putting out some high quality products at good prices. The core 1 cpu block is currently top of the heap, according to Debauer's testing, I have the core 360 distro /d5 combo and it is great at a reasonable price(less than EK FLT combo). If these come in at an ok price, 60-70 for 3 maybe? I will be very excited.

 

[kapone32]

Looking at the specs and making some guesstimates, there are several.


3.) Top peak noise - It's about 24 dBa. Compared to the Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM (about 22 dBa), that's almost twice as loud. Normalized for air movement, it may be quieter. Some third party tester will need to confirm.

You would be hard pressed to hear the difference between 22db and 24DB. If it was 34 then yes but 2DB is still low for a 120mm fan with this level of performance (maybe).

Alphacool has a recent track record of putting out some high quality products at good prices. The core 1 cpu block is currently top of the heap, according to Debauer's testing, I have the core 360 distro /d5 combo and it is great at a reasonable price(less than EK FLT combo). If these come in at an ok price, 60-70 for 3 maybe? I will be very excited.

I am thinking of getting the C1.

 

[Noci]

Nailed it on the latter. Last pic cutaway says full metal yet only points to the frame/clamshell.

Like Bonehaed123 and thesmokingman mentioned, when people talk about a metal fan, I personally assume a metal impellor.
That is nothing new, Prolimatech already did that over a decade ago:

https://www.techpowerup.com/153782/prolimatech-launches-aluminum-vortex-silver-wings-140-mm-fan

Here we are talking about a variant on the (excellent) NoiseBlocker e-loop design impellor which has it's pro's and cons (from an aerodynics point of view), with a very good looking metal frame. So just another cooling fan, but in a premium package. Don't get me wrong, I like the way they look very much and have good experiences with Alphacool products.
It is obviously that this frame increases material/production costs compared to the mass produced plastic injection moulded frames of other fans, so no need to nag about the premium price. It is to be expected.

When reading between the lines in their product advertorial, the real engineering challenges that will make a difference are optimizing the impellor design and motor.

https://www.alphacool.com/en/stealth-metal-fan

We can discuss endlessly about their performance compared to simular fans, but in the end it all comes down to what you think is the best compromise between all parameters below:

1. Performance (needed air displacement at a for you acceptable sound pressure level, take in consideration that high static air pressure is nearly only needed for a radiators with high FPI, delta-P has less influence in less dynamic resistance cases)
2. Price (determine what you think is acceptable for your budget and added value to your build)
3. Aesthetics (general impression like compatibility to the rest of your build, cable management, connectors, etc.)

Listen to other peeps input and suggestions, but make sure to filter this on relevance and bullshit. They may not share your point of view and there will always be vinigar whiners. In the end you will look at your PC the most, so do yourself a favour and find your personal sweetspot for cooling fans.

Once the Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal Fans are on the market and the price gives you palpations , this may be a cheaper alternative:

https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005...535591!sea!NL!0!AB&curPageLogUid=HhttdDtP91PU

I use them myself on my Arctic P12 fans and this is a good quality product. Added value is they reduce the noise of the fan also a little bit (it slightly overlaps the tip of the impellor where the highest speed is).

 

[HairyLobsters]

Theses where relieved at Computex, so why is this an announcement?

 

[OneMoar]

Mmm way to copy and paste strait from the marketing material

non-sense