Case fans play an important role in maintaining a steady operating temperature for your PC components. Having the wrong set of case fans can cause your PC to perform at sub-optimal levels or even shut down due to thermal instability.
Common case fans use ball, sleeve, or fluid bearings to rotate their rotors with very little friction. But if you want something more efficient, MagLev fans might be the thing to satisfy your PC cooling needs.
So, what are MagLev fans? How do they work, and are they better than traditional fans?
What Are MagLev Fans?
MagLev fans or magnetic levitation fans are a type of computer fan that uses magnetic levitation to spin. Unlike traditional case fans that use steel bearings to transfer power between the stator and rotor, MagLev fans use magnetic flux generated by opposing and attracting magnets to transmit energy. This way of energy transmission not only powers the fan but also makes the fan blades suspended in the air.
How MagLev Fans Work
To be a magnetic levitation fan, the fan has to suspend the fan blades in the air, reducing friction and noise. MagLev fans use a combination of permanent magnets and electromagnets to levitate the fan blades.
Like any other motor for ventilation, kitchen appliance, power tools, and electric vehicles, PC fans also have a stator and a rotor. A rotor is the rotating or moving part of the motor, while the stator is the stationary or non-moving part.
MagLev fans have permanent magnets for a rotor and an electromagnet as a stator. These two magnets generate a magnetic flux strong enough to cause the magnetic rotor and its attached fan blades to spin.
To make the fans levitate while spinning in the air, a magnetic plate is placed on the base of the fan case. This also creates a magnetic field which helps suspend the rotor in air and greatly reduces friction. Furthermore, the magnetic plate also helps create a low center of gravity for the spinning rotor. The lower the center of gravity, the more stable the fan blades become, resulting in stable and efficient operations.
To keep the magnetic rotor and fan blades from popping out of their case, a clamping or locking mechanism is placed in the fan cap or hub, which connects the magnetic rotor and fan blades. Furthermore, a PWM control system that adjusts the magnetic flux between the magnets helps lock the fan blades into place.
Benefits of Using MagLev Fans
MagLev fans provide several benefits over traditional case fans using steel and fluid bearings.
- Silent Operation: Bearings are one of the components that contribute to fan noise. By eliminating the need for bearings, Maglev fans are known to have lower noise levels than most traditional computer fans. This makes MagLev fans ideal for quiet environments.
- Longer Lasting: MagLev fans have fewer moving parts. The parts that do move are doing so with little friction and at high efficiencies. MagLev fans last longer than their traditional counterparts without the wear and tear from sustained mechanical friction.
- Energy Efficient: Using a magnetic field to rotate its fan blades, MagLev fans can operate at a higher speed while spending less energy.
- Sustained Performance: MagLev Fans can operate at higher speeds to push more air and still be quieter than regular case fans. Furthermore, the reduced mechanical friction allows MagLev fans to work consistently, providing a stable cooling source.
Are MagLev Fans Better Than Regular Case Fans?
MagLev fans are generally known to have better performance than regular budget fans. For a fairer comparison, let us compare two similar case fans from the same manufacturer at around the same price point.
We will compare the Corsair ML140 ELITE and the Corsair AF140 ELITE case fans. The only physical difference between the two products is their bearing type and that the MagLev version has LED while the Airflow doesn't. Furthermore, the specifications came directly from the manufacturer's official website, so we can expect the same level and quality of testing between the two products.
Specifications | Corsair ML140 ELITE | Corsair AF140 ELITE |
|---|---|---|
Bearing Type | Magnetic Levitation | Fluid Dynamic Bearing |
Fan Size | 140mm x 25mm | 140mm x 25mm |
Fan Airflow | 15 – 82.9 CFM | 15.3 – 84.5 CFM |
Static Pressure | 0.30 – 2.06 mm-H2O | 0.1 – 1.73 mm-H2O |
Speed | 400 – 1600 RPM | 400 – 1600 RPM |
Noise Level | 10 – 31.8 dBA | 5 – 33 dBA |
Power Draw | 0.26A | 0.39A |
Price | $34.99 | $29.99 |
Based on the table above, we can see that the airflow, sound level, and fan speed have little to no significant difference between MagLev and Airflow. However, in terms of power draw and static pressure, MagLev fans provide better performance.
Both fans are pretty impressive in terms of performance. To put things into perspective, both fans running max at RPM are still quieter than a library, which is known to have a noise level of 30dBA. They also use PWM over DC control systems, making them more energy efficient.
Are MagLev Fans Worth It?
With the minimal performance advantage of MagLev fans over similarly priced traditional fans, is it worth paying the extra premium?
With MagLev fans being readily available for several years now, the prices today are competitive compared to other similarly priced fans. So yes, in terms of price to performance, you can't go wrong if you choose to get a MagLev Fan over a more traditional one. They provide better static pressure, use less energy, last longer than a regular fan, and the price isn't as expensive as when they first launched.
There Are Quieter Fans Than MagLev
Aside from MagLev Fans, there may also be better alternatives out there. If you are looking for a quieter fan, Noctua's NF-A14 fan only generates 24.6 dBA. For a higher airflow, Arctic's BioniX F140 fan has a CFM of 140 and static pressure of 2.35 mm-H2O. Both of these fans use regular bearings while still providing great performance.
On that, if you're considering upgrading to a MagLev fan specifically for its noise-dampening qualities, you may be better served scouring the market for quiet fans that use regular tech, as it'll save you a few bucks.
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