Alphacool Apex Stealth - The new go to fan

[Jay85]

Just seen this testing from Igorslab and it looks like its going to be an absolute beast of a fan! Will definitely add some weight too if you have a system full of these.

Zinc metal shroud with a plastic centre fan.

Personal statement on the test of the Alphacool Apex Stealth (Power) Metal Fan | igor´sLAB

For this necessary statement, I consciously took a few days, even though the community understandably demands urgency, as it turned out to be more complex than I had anticipated. Given my high value…

www.igorslab.de

Revolution in the case fan market: Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal (Power) Fan in an exclusive review (Update) | igor´sLAB

Pending a thorough investigation into the circumstances and possible causes of deviations in various tests, I have temporarily suspended the two awards and will later decide based on new measurements…

www.igorslab.de

Edit: Added reviews and tests

 

[Jay85]

Price ?

$30 apparently, i was expecting it to be more tbh with its metal construction.

 

[Jay85]

This is very suspicious.

Why does the Alphacool get more airflow through a 45mm or 60mm radiator than a 25mm radiator, and almost as much as when used as a case fan? It's simply absurd, and there must be something wrong with the data.

Most of the noise 'advantage' in recordings comes from the lower noise floor of the recording equipment. At matched low-mid speeds, the Noctua produces significantly less hum as soon as both fans break through the noise floor. Then the only advantage of the Alphacool is the highly suspect airflow measurement.

At the very least, I think the results have been greatly exaggerated, otherwise this would be an absolute revolution in the case/radiator fan market. I'll be waiting for someone like Ali from Optimum Tech to review it instead, as he's one of the few people I trust with sound measurements.

I think in other articles i've read it has a lot to do with the metal frame on how it reduces vibration. I'm waiting for more reviews from the likes of GN with their testing to see what they make of it. If its really that good, i will replace some my 9x T30 with these!

 

[Jay85]

Yeah was trying to find a pre order with ocuk for it.

Same, ocuk will be my goto unless somewhere else gets stock faster. Hoping for a triple pack bundle.

 

[Jay85]

The idea is that the mass helps dampen vibrations. A plastic framed version may therefore be louder, and presumably Alphacool prototyped versions when proving the metal frame during R&D.

From what i've read the whole metal frame thing wasn't intended to make things quieter, it was purely by accident i think.

 

[Jay85]

We need proper testing

Firstly Igor is a fool at the best of time, secondly this fan review has so many holes and errors

Yup, waiting on GN's testing as i think they bought a specialist piece of equipment for fan testing awhile back. Can't remember the name of it but it was supposed to be super high tech.

 

[Jay85]

Not surprised by these results at all, it was always too good to be true. We're at the peak of pc fan technology, besides making them thicker 25mm to 30mm i don't think we're gonna see any major improvements.

I'm still buying these fans regardless, purely on aesthetics to finish my build .

 

[Jay85]

Yeah aesthetically at least
They will go great with your build
Email alphacool
Show some pics of your build
And ask for some freebies

Tried speaking to them in Linkedin, don't think they're interested tbh.

 

[Jay85]

Well maybe not...

Someone replied . Guess i'll wait and see.

 

[Jay85]

Oh nice
Maybe their already desperate
For some good publicity
Tell them you need
Some extra for me too

Been on the trigger to ordering these to tidy up the backside of the build, i know what i need and what i need to do but is it worth spending another £50 or so to do it. Some nice Alphacool bits.

 

[Jay85]

You know you want them
Do you actually need them
Well that's a totally different thing lol
Will it work without them yep
But will it look nicer with them lol
Life's too short
Just grab them anyway

Big part of me just says the same, it would really make it complete along with the metal stealth fans.

 

[Jay85]

then after a month you will have some new idea and you will just NEED to make these changes
Been there, done that

And then my bank account starts sobbing

 

[Jay85]

Yeah
An artist is never truly satisfied
With their work
Just one more little change
After another
In the search of perfection

I honestly dont think i'll ever achieve perfection, OCD doesn't allow it lol.

 

[Jay85]

A good thing really
If you achieve perfection
Where's the motivation to continue?
That drive for perfection
Is where your creativity comes from

The problem with that is, i get bored easily so im always looking for something to do.

which usually leads to me spending money unnecessarily.

 

[Jay85]

I was suspicious of Igors results from the off, that big a leap of both noise levels and performance levels is simply too high. I think we are at the point where you pick one or the other, you can't have both with big leaps like that. The tweaking of fanblades can only effect so much and there are laws of physics that have to be obeyed.

I don't think there is anything malicious going on, just that a mistake has been made in testing.

This is what peer reviewing is for though, and Der8auer has done just that. Wait for a few more folks to do some testing.

Exactly what i said, aside from making the fans thicker from 25mm to 30mm there isn't gonna be any huge impact on numbers unless we increase the size of the fans.

 

[Jay85]

Interesting... basically another review saying more or less the same thing.

 

[Jay85]

That was a decent review
They certainly don't look like bad fans at all
Just they over hyped them massively
Guy makes a sensible point
If you only measure specific frequencies
You could end up with vastly altered sound results
Not sure I will be running out to buy them
Since 13 fans in my build that would be a serious bit of cash
Not to mention the added weight lol

£325 lol, that could net you a decent gpu for that price

So glad i only need 2

 

[Jay85]

Ask alphacool for 15 freebies then
Make my Xmas a bit merrier

Still not heard anything back yet, i also placed the order for the manifold but i made a mistake in my email so trying to reach support to amend it. Been a nightmare on my part , all self inflicted!

 

[Jay85]

Don't we have an alphacool guy in forums?
My memory sucks
Can't remember if he left ek
To go to alphacool
Or vice versa

Not anymore, he's an EKWB guy now.

You talking about Dave?

 

[Jay85]

Yeah think so
Davido_labido good chance that's going
To be dave

Yeah its Dave, he's a good lad.