Akasa AK-FN059 120mm Ultra Quiet Viper Cool Fan Review combined wth a H50x1 Apache

Right had my eye on the Viper Cool Fan because it has better performance then a Apache, did not intend to do a review but was well pleased with the performance and noise level of the Viper fan, thought l'd do a quick review.

My Case is a FTO1
.
Viper Cool Fan:
- High performance 12cm fan in killer VIPER yellow colour
- S-FLOW fan blade design delivers 30% higher airflow
- Super silent with PWM auto speed control
- Hydro Dynamic Bearing extends fan life up to 50,000 hours
- Dimension: 120 X 120 X 25mm
- Fan speed: 600 -1900 RPM
- Max airflow: 83.63 CFM (141.75 m3/h)
- Max static air pressure: 2.98 mm H2O
- Noise level: 6.9 -28.9 dB(A)
- Fan life expectancy: 50,000 hours
- Connector: 4pin PWM

Apache:
- Super silent APACHE fans in Black Stealth colour
- S-FLOW fan blade design delivers 30% higher airflow
- IP-54 military standard moisture and dust protection
- Super silent with PWM auto speed control
- Hydro Dynamic Bearing extends fan life up to 50,000 hours
- Dimension 120 X 120 X 25mm
- Bearing HDB (Hydro Dynamic Bearing)
- Speed 600 -1300 RPM
- Max airflow 57.53 CFM (97.74 m3/h)
- Sound level 6.9 -16.05 dB(A)
- Max static air pressure 26.40 mm-H2O
- Rated voltage 12V
- Connector PWM-4pin

Note -
1.Viper = Noise level: 6.9 -28.9 dB(A) compared to Apache = Noise level 6.9 -16.05 dB(A)
2.Viper = Performance level: Fan speed: 600 -1900 RPM - Max airflow: 83.63 CFM (141.75 m3/h) - Max static air pressure: 2.98 mm H2O compared to Apache = Speed 600 -1300 RPM - Max airflow 57.53 CFM (97.74 m3/h) - Max static air pressure 26.40 mm-H2O.

Been using a H50 push/pull config x2 Apaches since l built my rig Aug 2009, putting it simply the Apaches perform very well and they are silent, my case is on my left hand side of me less then a foot away. OCUK had the Viper fan on order and because of the better performance decided to get one when they were in stock, ordered one yesterday arrived next day 25/05/2010 free shipping Royal Mail 1st Class, nice one OCUK.

Right down to the nitty gritty, how does a H50 > Viper Push / Apache Pull config > perform > FTO1 Case - test as follow's i7 920 at 3.8GHz / 4.0GHz / 4.2GHz, my PC sit's in an alcove in my living room and gets no air circulationing around it.

Core Temp's at idle after 15 min's, room temp(ambient) 18'c, using Core Temp + HWmonitor(to check fan speed) Viper push / Apache pull config -

Note - H50 push/pull config x2 Apaches at Max 1400RPM > 18.5'c > 28'c:31'c:30'c:33'c > +/- 1'c.

3.8GHz - (Bios CPU Vcore at 1.26250v) H50x1 Viper fan/Bios set to (PWM) + 1x Apache fan: Max RPM > Viper:997RPM + Apache:1400RPM > cores: 29'c:31'c:30'c:33'c > cores vary +/- 1'c > Noise level = silent.
4.0GHz - (Bios CPU Vcore at 1.26250v) H50x1 Viper fan/Bios set to (PWM) + 1x Apache fan: Max RPM > Viper:1048RPM + Apache:1400RPM > cores: 29'c:32'c:30'c:34'c > cores vary +/- 1'c > As Above.
4.2GHz - (NOTE - to run at 4.2GHz Bios CPU Vcore is increased from 1.26250v too 1.31250v = 0.0625v increase)
H50x1 Viper fan/Bios set to (PWM) + 1x Apache fan: Max RPM > Viper:1019RPM + Apache:1400RPM > cores: 31'c:32'c:29'c:33'c > cores vary +/- 1'c > As Above.

The Viper fan RPM is less than the equivalent Apache in a push / pull set up at 3.8GHz / 4'0GHz / 4.2GHz at roughly the same temp's.

Second part of review l will compare temp's after running Prime95(Small FFTs) for 20min's, > room temp(ambient) 18'c -

3.8GHz - H50x1 Viper fan/Bios set to (PWM) + 1x Apache fan: Max RPM > Viper:1442RPM + Apache:1400RPM > cores: > 60'c:62'c:62'c:65'c > cores vary +/- 1'c. > Noise level = silent.
4.0GHz - H50x1 Viper fan/Bios set to (PWM) + 1x Apache fan: Max RPM > Viper:1503RPM + Apache:1400RPM > cores: > 61'c:63'c:63'c:66'c > cores vary +/- 1'c > As Above.

Above the Viper is runing faster than the equivalent Apache in a push / pull set up, just 1'c in it, if that on the core temp's, again the Viper is silent.

4.2GHz - H50x1 Viper fan/Bios set to (PWM) + 1x Apache fan: Max RPM > Viper:1646RPM + Apache:1400RPM > cores: > 70'c:72'c:72'c:75'c > cores vary +/- 1'c > As Above.

Even at 4.2GHz, Viper:1646RPM, even at this speed it is silent, and temp's have gone up due to a higher CPU Vcore but still the temp's are looking good.

Third test compare idle temp's at 15min's and after running Prime95(Small FFTs) for 20min's both fans at Max RPM, > Viper push / Apache pull config -
NOTE - Room Temp(ambient) has increased by 1'c to 19'c, due to sun coming through window and warming up the room -

Core Temp's at idle after 15 min's, room temp(ambient) 19'c -

3.8GHz - H50x1 Viper fan Max RPM + 1x Apache fan: Max RPM > Viper:2014RPM + Apache:1400RPM > cores: 28'c:31'c:30'c:32'c > cores vary +/- 1'c > Noise level = near silent, l can just hear it.
4.0GHz - H50x1 Viper fan Max RPM + 1x Apache fan: Max RPM > Viper:2014RPM + Apache:1400RPM > cores: 28'c:31'c:29'c:33'c > cores vary +/- 1'c > As Above.
4.2GHz - H50x1 Viper fan Max RPM + 1x Apache fan: Max RPM > Viper:2014RPM + Apache:1400RPM > cores: 29'c:31'c:29'c:33'c > cores vary +/- 1'c > As Above.

Look at the Viper it's runing at the same RPM at 3.8GHz / 4'0GHz / 4.2GHz, but look at the temp's nothing in it at all, l can just hear the Viper.

Core temp's running Prime95(Small FFTs) for 20min's room temp(ambient) 19'c both fans at Max RPM -Viper push / Apache pull config -

3.8GHz - H50x1 Viper fan Max RPM + 1x Apache fan: Max RPM > Viper:2002RPM + Apache:1400RPM > cores: 61'c:62'c:63'c:65'c > cores vary +/- 1'c > Noise level = near silent, l can just hear it.
4.0GHz - H50x1 Viper fan Max RPM + 1x Apache fan: Max RPM > Viper:2002RPM + Apache:1400RPM > cores: 62'c:65'c:64'c:67'c > cores vary +/- 1'c > As Above.

A 2'c diffirence between the above, and again the Viper fan on all three is running at the same speed.

4.2GHz - H50x1 Viper fan Max RPM + 1x Apache fan: Max RPM > Viper:2002RPM + Apache:1400RPM > cores: 70'c:73'c:73'c:75'c > cores vary +/- 1'c > As Above.

At 4.2GHz due to the higher CPU Vcore, cores: 70'c:73'c:73'c:75'c, but those temp's arn't bad at all.

Final test -

Running Prime95(Small FFTs) for 2hrs, room temp(ambient) has increased to 20'c from about 70min's into the run, both fans at Max RPM -

4.2GHz after 2hrs (P95 12.05 > 14.07) - H50x1 Viper fan Max RPM + 1x Apache fan: Max RPM > Viper:2002RPM + Apache:1400RPM > cores: 72'c:74'c:74'c:76'c > cores vary +/- 1'c.




Well after looking at the result's especially the final test, the Viper perform's very well allround, after 2hrs the core temp's have increased by just 1'c even though the room temp has gone up by 1'c too 20'c.

4.2GHz after 2hrs - cores: 72'c:74'c:74'c:76'c > cores vary +/- 1'c
4.2GHz after 20min's - cores: 70'c:73'c:73'c:75'c > cores vary +/- 1'c.

Core temp's at idle 4.2GHz have settled back too - Viper:2014RPM + Apache:1400RPM > cores: 29'c:31'c:29'c:33'c > cores vary +/- 1'c.

If l remember rightly l was just creeping over 80'C at 4.2GHz running Prime95(Small FFTs), remember your core temp's will very from mine due to CPU Vcore and case set up, if you decide to install a Akasa AK-FN059 120mm Ultra Quiet Viper Cool Fan.Will run my PC at 4.2 GHz and keep an eye on the temp's will let you's know the out come end of this week. But to me the Viper look's a good buy perform's well and and is near silent at full speed. During the test there was nothing else on in the room TV, etc, and l'll remind you's the PC is less than a foot away from me.

Well folk's that's it, sorry if the review is abit long, but l did not keep my Prime95 result's for my H50x2 Apaches, lol did l say a quick review!!!!!

Stay Cool.

Nice indepth review/comparison. I was considering a pair of apaches to use on a TRUE, opted for 2 vipers instead. My current arctic f12 pwm fans are struggling a bit theese days on my i7.

How do you think these will compare with the stock fans on the Noctua D14?

Ste > How do you think these will compare with the stock fans on the Noctua D14?

Hi m8, take a look at the Spec's -

Noctua NH-D14 Dual Radiator CPU Cooler -

Noctua NF-P14 - 1200 RPM - 64.9 CFM - Static Pressure 1,29 mm H2O - 19.6dB(A)
Noctua NF-P12 - 1300 RPM - 54.3 CFM - Static Pressure 1,68 mm H2O - 19.8dB(A)
Viper Cool Fan - 1900 RPM - 83.63 CFM - Static Pressure 2.98 mm H2O - 28.9dB(A) even at Max RPM, l could just hear the fan.

On paper alone the Viper is a better performer, at the end of the day it's up to you what CPU Cooler or combination you preferre depending on your CPU speed. As you can gather from my review, l was well pleased with the Viper fan using a H50 > Viper / Apache > push / pull config.

Mine is Viper at max speed with Apache max speed with a push pull at 4.20Ghz vcore at 1.31250v at the bios and full load at prime95 for 2 hours and 27 mins at the max temp of just 69c, 69c, 67c, 67c. Quite impressive with viper fan and apache fan together.

Installed 2 vipers on my TRUE today, currently idling at 40-35-40-35, i7 920 at 4ghz 1.2750 vcore, will run prime for a few hours later to test load temps, im impressed with how quiet they are, running at 1095-1140 rpm at idle. Case is a bit hotter than it was due to adding a second gtx 275 video card.

Decided to try with LinX as it tends to generate higher temps.



Highest load temps of 76-71-71-69, p95 was on average 3-5c lower per core, could maybe do with remounting my TRUE and give it a good clean as it's a bit dusty, rest of the case cooling consists of 2 x 140mm 1500 rpm yate loon intakes, 2 x stock lian li 1500 rpm exhausts. Running the vipers via an akasa pwm splitter cable. All in all the vipers are cooling a good 4-5c lower than my previous arctic f12's, which had the cpu running 4-5c warmer a few days ago.

Great user review, these really do look like fantastic fans. Thansk for taking th etime to do the write up.

Just how quiet are these i'm looking at replacing all my CM HAF 932 fans with 120's on low-mid speed (yes thats 11 fans including CPU HSF) these big things coolermaster supply are ok but they can be very noisey after a while my front fan sounds terrible

OLDPHART said:

Ste > How do you think these will compare with the stock fans on the Noctua D14?

Hi m8, take a look at the Spec's -

Noctua NH-D14 Dual Radiator CPU Cooler -

Noctua NF-P14 - 1200 RPM - 64.9 CFM - Static Pressure 1,29 mm H2O - 19.6dB(A)
Noctua NF-P12 - 1300 RPM - 54.3 CFM - Static Pressure 1,68 mm H2O - 19.8dB(A)
Viper Cool Fan - 1900 RPM - 83.63 CFM - Static Pressure 2.98 mm H2O - 28.9dB(A) even at Max RPM, l could just hear the fan.

On paper alone the Viper is a better performer, at the end of the day it's up to you what CPU Cooler or combination you preferre depending on your CPU speed. As you can gather from my review, l was well pleased with the Viper fan using a H50 > Viper / Apache > push / pull config.

Click to expand...

Might try some, thanks

have two vipers on my shopping list along with an h50 will post here my results direct comparison with an old style tuniq tower vs h50 + 2x viper max rpm push pull Q6600 @ 3.6ghz 1.440 voltage.