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EK Introduces White Edition Quantum Impulse 120 D-RGB Fan

T0@st

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EK, the renowned manufacturer of premium liquid cooling solutions, is introducing a new version of the EK-Quantum Impulse 120 D-RGB fan, now available in a stylish white color. The latest EK-Quantum Impulse 120 D-RGB - White fan boasts a sleek white design, radiating clean and sophisticated aesthetics. It complements the existing Black version and offers new possibilities to liquid cooling enthusiasts, expanding their choices for visually pleasing PC setups.

The Quantum Impulse fans are a premium product equipped with EK's most extensive RGB implementation to date. The frame of the fan has two zones illuminated by LEDs, with each zone containing 12 LEDs. Additionally, 6 LEDs in the motor hub illuminate the rotor. These fans deliver a well-balanced and optimized performance-to-noise ratio with an operating range of 400-1800 RPM.



EK-Quantum Impulse 120 mm D-RGB
EK-Quantum Impulse fans are specially designed as 120 mm PC radiator and case fans, prioritizing both stunning D-RGB effects and silent operation throughout their entire operational range. With a LED-lit zone encircling the frame on both sides of the fan, you can enjoy vibrant and diffused addressable RGB illumination regardless of the fan's orientation. Also, the motor hub on the rotor is adorned with 6 LEDs, adding a touch of stylish aesthetics as it spins.



MagLev Fan Motor
EK-Quantum Impulse incorporates industry-leading designs, including the VAPO bearing and Magnetic Levitation (or MagLev) motor, known for their high effectiveness. These designs play a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the fan and preventing any wobbling issues, resulting in a longer fan lifespan.



The VAPO bearing introduces a magnetic effect to the bearing, known as magnetic levitation. This reduces noise levels and improves the stability of the fan's shaft. Unlike traditional ball-bearing fans that tend to become louder over time, VAPO bearings are resistant to dust and do not dry out, ensuring reliable performance. These fans have an operating range of 400-1800 RPM, providing flexibility in various usage scenarios.

White Rubber Corners
The EK-Quantum Impulse 120 fan incorporates thick white rubber corners on both sides, effectively minimizing the transfer of vibrations to the rest of your PC. With a fan thickness of 26 mm, the rubber corners extend by 1.5 mm on each side, resulting in a total depth of 29 mm. It's important to note that these rubber corners compress when screws are tightened. Unlike fans with circular or incomplete frames, the square frame design of this fan significantly reduces the risk of side air leakage. The combination of these features ensures enhanced stability and an overall quieter operation.



EK-OmniLink Interconnect Ecosystem
Impulse fans, just like FPT fans, offer daisy-chaining capability, reducing cable clutter and simplifying cable routing by using the EK-OmniLink system. This feature utilizes an 8-pin Micro-Fit connector ecosystem, allowing all signal and power wiring for PWM and D-RGB to run on a single cable and connector. The connection ends in standard motherboard connectors, a 4-pin PWM for fan power, and a 3-pin 5 V D-RGB.

With the EK-OmniLink design, cable clutter is effectively eliminated as multiple fans can be connected to a single PWM and D-RGB header, providing a streamlined solution. This design also allows for the easy removal of individual fans from the chain without disturbing the entire setup. In contrast, alternative solutions on the market rely on interlocking mechanisms that necessitate the removal of an entire fan link, making it challenging to create more space for tightening fittings on a radiator.

The Omni-Link interconnect ecosystem will be significantly expanded in the near future for additional benefits.

3-Zone LED Illumination on EK-Quantum Impulse 120 PC Fans
All EK-Quantum Impulse 120 fans boast a crucial feature: simplicity. They are designed to work seamlessly with the standard 3-pin 5 V D-RGB connection. This allows you to easily connect a fan to any standard 3-pin 5 V addressable RGB controller or take advantage of the compatibility with popular RGB sync technologies supported by major motherboard manufacturers.

To ensure a proper connection, align the arrow marking on the 3-pin LED connector with the +5V marking on the D-RGB (ARGB) header. This alignment guarantees a hassle-free setup and optimal functionality.



EK-Quantum Impulse 120 D-RGB Key Features:
  • Three Premium LED-Lit Zones - Unlike other EK fans, which have LEDs exclusively in the rotor, Impulse fans have additional LEDs on both sides of the frame.
  • MagLev and VAPO Bearing - The VAPO bearing adds a magnetic effect (magnetic levitation) to the bearing to reduce noise and increase shaft stability.
  • Square Frame for Airflow Focusing - The practical square shape of the fan frame provides optimal performance in either the pull or push regime without hydraulic losses, which ensures the optimal cooling capacity of your liquid cooling radiators.
  • Standard D-RGB Connectors - The Impulse fan's D-RGB lighting does not require any additional fancy or expensive controller for you to enjoy vibrant light effects. A simple 3-pin 5 V addressable D-RGB connection for standard controllers or any popular D-RGB (ARGB) sync technology from major motherboard manufacturers is all you need.
  • EK-OmniLink System - The ability to daisy chain fan power, D-RGB, and even pump power across a single cable gives you the ultimate flexibility while reducing cable clutter. All the cables are flat ribbon style with no additional sleeving for an even better cable routing experience.

Availability and Pricing
The EK-Quantum Impulse 120 D-RGB - White fans are readily available for pre-order on EK Webshop and through EK's Partner Reseller Network. This product is expected to ship out in mid-July 2023. In the table below, you can see the manufacturer-suggested retail price (MSRP), including VAT.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source
 
Rated power consumption of fan alone is quite low(compared to recent trend) and even LEDs have rated power consumption of sub 2.5W which is surprisingly decent.
 
Noctua seems to be the only one left actually putting thought into fan and housing design.
 
Noctua seems to be the only one left actually putting thought into fan and housing design.
Arctic and Phanteks have some compelling products as well. The Daisy Chain extra on Arctic is spectacular if you are using more fans than headers on your MB and Phanteks (for me) makes the best performing ARGB fans. I love the SK140s.
 
Let's not forget the new Alphacool Apex fans. No RGBs at this point but very sexy looking fans with honestly shocking performance characteristics.
 
Vapo bearings mean the OEM is Sunon. Sunon is known for making good server fans.

They have a basic video on the pros and cons of the bearing

The VAPO bearing introduces a magnetic effect to the bearing, known as magnetic levitation. This reduces noise levels and improves the stability of the fan's shaft. Unlike traditional ball-bearing fans that tend to become louder over time, VAPO bearings are resistant to dust and do not dry out, ensuring reliable performance. These fans have an operating range of 400-1800 RPM, providing flexibility in various usage scenarios.
Funny thing is, Sunon doesn't recommend operating vapo bearing fans in dusty environments. Not sure why EK is saying this.
 
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