Case fans play an important role in maintaining stable operating temperatures for your PC components. A wrong set of case fans can cause your PC to not run at optimal levels or shut down due to erratic heat.
Common case fans use ball, sleeve, or fluid bearings to spin their rotors with little friction. But if you want something more efficient, a MagLev fan might meet your PC’s cooling needs.
So what is a maglev fan? How do they work and are they better than traditional fans?
What is a linear motor car fan?
A MagLev fan or magnetic levitation fan is a type of computer fan that spins using magnetic levitation. Unlike traditional case fans that use steel bearings to transfer power between the stator and rotor, MagLev fans transfer energy using the magnetic flux created by attracting opposite magnets. To do. This method of energy transfer not only powers the fan, but also keeps the fan blades in the air.
How the MagLev Fan Works
To become a magnetically levitated fan, the fan must suspend the fan blades in the air to reduce friction and noise. MagLev fans use a combination of permanent magnets and electromagnets to levitate fan blades.
Like other motors for ventilation, kitchen appliances, power tools, and electric vehicles, PC fans have a stator and a rotor. The rotor is the rotating or moving part of the motor and the stator is the fixed or non-moving part.
Maglev fans use permanent magnets in the rotor and electromagnets in the stator. These two magnets produce a magnetic flux strong enough to rotate the magnetic rotor and the fan blades attached to it.
A magnetic plate is placed at the base of the fan case to make the fan levitate while spinning in the air. This also creates a magnetic field that helps keep the rotor suspended in the air, greatly reducing friction. In addition, the magnetic plate helps lower the center of gravity of the spinning rotor. The lower the center of gravity, the more stable the fan blades will be for stable and efficient operation.
To prevent the magnetic rotor and fan blades from popping out of the case, a clamp or locking mechanism is placed on the fan cap or hub to connect the magnetic rotor and fan blades. Additionally, a PWM control system that regulates the magnetic flux between the magnets helps lock the fan blades in place.
Benefits of Using MagLev Fans
MagLev fans have several advantages over traditional case fans that use steel and fluid bearings.
- Silent operation: Bearings are one of the components that contribute to fan noise. Maglev fans are known to have lower noise levels than most conventional computer fans because they do not require bearings. This makes MagLev fans ideal for quiet environments.
- Long lasting: Maglev fans have few moving parts. The parts that actually move have very little friction and move very efficiently. Maglev fans last longer than traditional fans without the wear and tear of sustained mechanical friction.
- Energy efficiency: By using a magnetic field to spin the fan blades, MagLev fans can run at high speeds while consuming less power.
- Sustained performance: MagLev fans can run faster and push more air, but are quieter than regular case fans. Plus, with less mechanical friction, MagLev fans operate consistently, providing a steady source of cooling.
Are MagLev fans better than regular case fans?
Maglev fans are generally known to outperform regular budget fans. For a fairer comparison, let him compare two similar cases his fans of the same manufacturer and roughly the same price range.
Compare Corsair ML140 ELITE and Corsair AF140 ELITE case fans. The only physical difference between the two products is the type of bearing and the MagLev version has LEDs while the Airflow does not. Moreover, the specifications are taken directly from the manufacturer’s official website, so you can expect the same level and quality of testing between the two products.
|
specification |
Corsair ML140 Elite |
Corsair AF140 ELITE |
|---|---|---|
|
Bearing type |
magnetic levitation |
Fluid dynamic bearing |
|
fan size |
140mm x 25mm |
140mm x 25mm |
|
fan airflow |
15 to 82.9CFM |
15.3 – 84.5 CFM |
|
Static pressure |
0.30 – 2.06 mm-H2O |
0.1 to 1.73 mm-H2O |
|
speed |
400-1600RPM |
400-1600RPM |
|
noise level |
10 to 31.8dBA |
5 to 33dBA |
|
power draw |
0.26A |
0.39A |
|
price |
$34.99 |
$29.99 |
Based on the table above, we can see that there is little to no significant difference in airflow, noise level, and fan speed between MagLev and Airflow. However, when it comes to power consumption and static pressure, MagLev fans perform better.
Both fans are very impressive in terms of performance. To put things into perspective, both fans running at maximum RPM are quieter than the library, which is known to have a noise level of 30dBA. Also, he uses PWM over a DC control system, which makes it more energy efficient.
Is Maglev Fans Worth It?
Given the minimal performance advantage of maghreb fans compared to similarly priced conventional fans, is it worth paying the extra premium?
MagLev fans have been readily available for several years, so today’s prices are competitive compared to other similarly priced fans. That’s right, you can’t go wrong if you choose to buy a MagLev fan over a traditional fan from a price/performance standpoint. They provide better static pressure, use less energy, last longer than regular fans, and are priced less expensive than when they first launched.
Has quieter fans than maglev trains
There may be better alternatives besides MagLev Fans. If you’re looking for a quieter fan, Noctua’s NF-A14 fan produces only 24.6 dBA. For higher airflow, Arctic’s BioniX F140 fan features 140 CFM and 2.35 mm-H2O static pressure. Both of these fans offer great performance while using regular bearings.
On top of that, you might be better off scouring the market for quieter fans that use regular technology, as it will save you a few bucks, especially if you’re looking to upgrade to MagLev fans for their noise attenuation properties. .
