Summary and Conclusion
For around 30 Euros, Alphacool offers an unbeatable deal with the Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal (Power) Fan, provided you can afford the financial outlay. Compared to other fans in this price range, the Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal (Power) Fan is the one that offers the best value for money. Of course, you pay a premium for the performance, but the fan is also significantly more expensive and complex to manufacture. Let’s call it a causal chain.
I have summarized the most important advantages and disadvantages for you in a table, even if the high weight is intended. However, one must be aware that the weight of several fans quickly adds up to the kilogram range. So, when using two fans on tower coolers, you’re adding over 600 grams more to the socket. This must always be kept in mind. For radiators or case mounting, this is rather secondary. But it should be mentioned.
| Pros | Cons |
• Innovative decoupling in the fan • Vibration damping through special zinc alloy • Low-vibration 6-pole motor • Wide RPM range • Durable material • Excellent surfaces • Wide color selection • Reasonable price for this performance |
• High weight (due to design) |
What prompted me to write such a long and detailed article are actually two things. On the one hand, Alphacool has managed to break the years of stagnation in fan development with a real innovation that not only improves by a few percent but creates an entirely new reference class. On the other hand, the entire development process aroused my curiosity. If you have the technical means to document and analyze everything, it would be almost reprehensible not to do so actively. Writing an article about it is all the more practical for everyone involved.
I will try to free myself from all euphoria, but given the results, it’s really hard to give a completely emotionless conclusion. I don’t even want to because the fan keeps impressing me. After prolonged use and silence in the office, I’m somewhat biased, but so be it. Measurement results cannot be subjectively distorted; they are what they are. I just couldn’t resist adding some verbal commentary.
But how do you rate such a fan that currently has no competitors, except in terms of price? To justify my subjective remarks, this gem first receives the “Editor’s Choice” award, as my personal feelings have influenced the review. If you like something, you should write and show it that way. From a customer’s perspective, the “Recommended Buy” as a second award is more than deserved and justified because you simply can’t get anything better for around 30 Euros. Not even for more (or less) money.
Until the precise clarification of the circumstances and potential causes for the deviations in various tests is determined, I have suspended both awards and will later decide based on new measurements whether and how the conclusion may or may not change. I ask for your understanding in this matter, but I believe that a clarification is absolutely necessary in this case. Thank you.
The Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal (Power) Fan is currently the best fan on the market. Period. However, I am curious to see when the first replicas will appear on the market and how Alphacool will defend itself. But it’s also a big and new challenge for everyone else to pick up on this idea and then offer their own, perhaps even better, solutions. Alphacool has already set the direction; let the games begin. Because the era of full-frame fans in this form is now probably over for mid-range products.
Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal Fan – A long search for own faults and personal statement
- 1 - Introduction and technical data
- 2 - Causes of noise development and vibrations
- 3 - The secret of decoupling and the used material
- 4 - Apex Stealth Metal Power Fan: Measurement results in detail.
- 5 - Comparison with the Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM (2023)
- 6 - Comparison with the Be Quiet! Silentwings Pro 4
- 7 - Comparison with the Cooler Master Mobius 120
- 8 - Summary and conlusion
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