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Coolman Dual ring RGB fans and other cheap fans

9K views 16 replies 6 participants last post by  ciarlatano 
#1 ·


Anyone ever try these or any other similar inexpensive RGB fans like the AIGO AURORA? yes, I'm well aware that a snobby enthusiast will look down upon their specs, but I'm not concerned with that (some of us can't afford $30 per fan or don't want to spend that much for a fan) on principle)

P.S. I'm more than willing to use a retailer like aliexpress, and they MUST be addressable LEDs, as in they can do more than just single, static colors

links Aigo: https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Adjustable-colorful-Computer-Controller/dp/B074Z5W6MQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1512751079&sr=8-3&keywords=aigo

Coolman: https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-6-Pack-RGB-LED-Quiet-Computer-Case-PC-Cooling-Fan-120mm-with-Remote-Control/311988029822?hash=item48a3ef897e:m:mJl1qWl2xdWTRWgAjX9eKwA
 
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#2 ·
Might be easier if you just flat out say that you are only concerned with the addressable LEDs, and the performance of the fan is of no consequence. This would prevent those "snobs" from pointing out any possible shortcomings of the fan, and you could keep the discussion only on the lighting.
 
#3 ·
What ciarlatano said.

I doubt there are many if any at all here who have wasted money on the fans in the links you posted.

May the lights be with you.

You certainly need them.
tongue.gif
 
#4 ·
If looking for a good budget fan, get the Arctic F12 PWM value pack. $25 for 5 fans, doesn't get any better than that and they have above average performance.

The fans you linked are worse performers than the average default case fans that come in budget cases. If you have any obstructions, like mesh filters or hdd cages, those fans ate just going to show lights and not be much use as fans.

I know there are companies that sell fan grills with lights, think they're called halos, but not sure. That would be the solution I would recommend.
 
#5 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by EMUracing View Post

If looking for a good budget fan, get the Arctic F12 PWM value pack. $25 for 5 fans, doesn't get any better than that and they have above average performance.

The fans you linked are worse performers than the average default case fans that come in budget cases. If you have any obstructions, like mesh filters or hdd cages, those fans ate just going to show lights and not be much use as fans.

I know there are companies that sell fan grills with lights, think they're called halos, but not sure. That would be the solution I would recommend.
The Halos are made by Phanteks. $10 each at NewEgg. That gets you a reasonable quality fan with lights for $15 each.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Truth smack on cheap RGB Fans

Don't let the AMAZING amount of biased info you've been getting against the cheap Coolman RGB fans. They are NOT manufactured by some fly by night company that is gonna disappear tomorrow. It seems that you got alot of answers from NAME BRAND fanboys. In actual terms the Coolman RGB fans are manufactured by a subsidiary of SUNON corp. SUNON has been making case fans since the 1980s. If you've bought In-Win, ChenMing, or Enlight cases the stock fans were made by SUNON. Back in the 1980s and 1990's they made the case fans for a little brand known as IBM, you might have heard of them. The also made case fans for Atari and Amiga 16/32 bit computers. SUNON has made nearly 80% of all factory case fans worldwide as a subcontractor or OEM.

As for the Coolman fans, they are Not the worst fans made like some of these posters have stated. They are Hydro bearing fans rated at 33-38 CFM ( depending on model ) at 1800rpm. While they aren't rated as Static pressure fans they do surprisingly well with AIOs, outflowing the stock fans on some Enermax, LEPA, Antec, Thermaltake, NZXT, and Cooler Master units.The Static pressure flow is 1.1-1.8mm-H2O (again depending on the model) at 1800 rpm.

And before the fanboys get their panties in a bunch over the brands I listed for AIOs, do your homework first. ALL of the AIO brands I listed are actually made by Asetek, Swiftech or Apaltek then SHIPPED to the companies listed so they can place THEIR names on them.

I actually installed the 3-pack Coolman 120mm RGB Double Ring kit with controller/hub into my Thermaltake Level 10 GT. Two of the 120mm fans were used to replace the stock fans on my modded (extra reservoir) LEPA Exllusion240 AIO. The third was used as the bottom case draw fan forward of the PSU. I wired a Corsair LL 140mm at the rear and a BitFenix Spectre Pro RGB 200mm at the front to cover my RAID array, into the Coolman Hub while the PWM is controlled by my Mobo. All of the fans are now synced to each other and controlled via the Coolman Hub. Both the Corsair and the BitFenix were required as Coolman only sells 120mm fans currently.

SUNON's subsidiary operation sells nearly the same RGB fan kits under the Coolman Sunshine, S Skyee, XigMatek CY120, Alseye, AsiaHorse, UpHere, and the AIGO Z series brands
 
#9 ·
*snip*
SUNON's subsidiary operation sells nearly the same RGB fan kits under the Coolman Sunshine, S Skyee, XigMatek CY120, Alseye, AsiaHorse, UpHere, and the AIGO Z series brands
Just because they are made by Sunon subsidiary does not mean they are any good.

Sunon has a history of making some very good products, and some very bad ones too. All depends on what the company they are making them for wants.

33-38cfm at 1800rpm is horribly low performance. Most decent 120mm fans deliver at about twice that at similar speed and have static pressure ratings of 1.5mm H2O or more.

So yeah, they are garbage using rgb lighting bling instead of performance to draw a market.
 
#12 ·
#13 ·
Yes, when using the LNA voltage reduction on F12 it's only has 1.83mm H2O, but that is at 1200rpm, not 1500rpm or 1800rpm of fans we are saying are not good. Put the LNA on them and their performance will drop accordingly just like the F12 does. And if the F12 is to noisy at 1500rpm the garbage fan will be much noisier at 1800rpm so what's are you trying to say here?

If you want good in depth fan testing, here's CoolingTechnique's data

http://www.coolingtechnique.com/rec...ensione-noctua-nh-u12s-e-nh-u14s.html?start=4
 
#15 · (Edited)
Sorry for the misquote on the Coolman RGB fans, I only used the other examples because you immediately attacked the cheap Coolman fans and their ilk as flat out garbage. For the vast majority of PC owners "good enough" is all they want. And no matter how well certain brands perform, a large percentage of PC users opt for Flashy, Twinkly RGB lights and flat out refuse to spend money for superior fans when they can sink their money into better CPU, GPU, mobo combos. So I attempted to defend the OPs choice of the cheap Coolmans, which happen to be the best of the cheap RGB fans currently flooding the market, I apologize. As a percentage of total fan sales RGB fans as a whole vastly outsell Top performers, hence the reason they exist. To the OP, press on with the Coolman fans if that is your funding limit. That is the niche that these cheap Coolmans and their brothers fill.
Secondly, I quoted 1800 rpm for the current gen v2 fans. This was in error. All the specs I listed for these fans are actually for the v1 fans running at 1800 rpm. the v2 fans actually operate at a v Max 12 volts at 1200 rpm +/-10 rpm. All of the other specs such as CFM air flow and Static Pressure are for these fans at 1200 rpm not 1800, sorry for that. At 1200 rpm the Coolman v2 generates 39 dBA in a free-flow case. When used with a radiator in a static pressure situation the noise level increased to 43 dBA. PS. these dBA measurements nearly match most Noctua, NZXT and Cooler Master fans. Also to your statement that ALL fans are rated for static pressure. Sorry but not true. Manufacturers only test fans for static pressure when the fan is intended for a use that requires static pressure. Case fans have never been required to be tested for static pressure since their only stated purpose is for free air case flow. While some manufacturers do indeed test for static pressure, it is neither a requirement nor a relevant figure for free flow case fans. For a scientific explanation, Static Pressure is measured as the fans ability to flow air against resistance. Typically this is done by placing the fan in a test rig that blocks free air flow. The pressure is measured by a sensor that records its results in mmH2O that could be moved by the fan under full load with blockage of the air path. The test is generally ran for 100 minutes. This is done so that the motor running the fan heats up and the fan can be tested for motor failures under a static load. Again ANSI standards and IEEE don't require this test for fans designed for Case fan usage. If a manufacturer does the test fine.
 
#16 ·
Could you please give us some links to credible data verifying "Coolmans, which happen to be the best of the cheap RGB fans" and "As a percentage of total fan sales RGB fans as a whole vastly outsell Top performers" .. or is this just your opinion with no supporting data?

Please give supporting data for "Also to your statement that ALL fans are rated for static pressure. Sorry but not true. Manufacturers only test fans for static pressure when the fan is intended for a use that requires static pressure. Case fans have never been required to be tested for static pressure since their only stated purpose is for free air case flow." as well. Will not all fans companies publish statac pressure ratings, is pressure differential is required to have airflow. I can name many fans with static pressure ratings that are not designed for radiators, like Thermalright TY-140, TY-147, TY-147A, TY-143, Cryorig XF140, XT140, QF140, QF120, QF120 LED, PH-F140SP, PH-F140XP, PH-F140HP, PH-F120HP-II .. and the list goes on into the hundreds of fans. But then I guess sense static pressure is the end product of pressure differential it's applicable to all fans.
 
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