Cooler Master AF8-25IM-74 Case Fan
Cooler Master are quickly making themselves heard in the cooling field, with fans now available for system, case, hdd and cpu cooling (see FC-PGA cooling fan review). This review focuses on the AF8-25IM-74, from the middle of their case fan range.Here are the stats for the AF8-25IM-74 model:
Dimensions: L80 x W80 x H14 (mm)
Type: Ball
Rated Voltage: 12V DC
Rated Speed (Fan): 2500 RPM
Air Flow: 33 CFM
Noise Level: 29 dB(A)
At 80x80x14mm, this is a mid-sized case fan, and pumping out up to 33CFM, it should be enough to cool almost any case. For this review, the fan is being tested in a midi tower deluxe case. The system itself is a PIII 450, 128mb RAM, V3 3k, SB128 with 2 CD Drives (1 CDRW), 2 floppy drives and 2 hdds. The system is used primarily as a network server, serving 3 other pcs and acting as a web server for them. Running 24hours a day, it tends to get very hot: cooling at the moment consists of a large cpu fan, a hdd fan, a small 40mm case fan and a fc-pga fan strapped to the voodoo 3.
Installing the AF8-25IM-74 was no problem at all: just select a place for it to go and screw it in. Upon turning the PC on for the first time with the fan in, the 33CFM was immediately evident. I chose to install the fan at the back of the case, as this was nearer the pci cards and cpu, and the air flow was wide enough to catch not only the pIII cpu, but the v3 and network card. Luckily my mobo had a third fan connecter near to the back: the power lead on this fan is not the longest I've seen, reaching 11 inches max.
Unlike other case fans I've tried, the air flow continued to the other side of the case, just reaching the hdds and cd drives, which will help keep these cool as well. The only down point of the fan is that if the back is restriced to anything less than about 4 inches, the airflow decreases significantly, which is why i placed it at the back of the case as opposed to behing the front casing. The machine being used for the test usually has the side left off for extra air flow, but the cooler master case fan seemed to be more efficient with the side on - temperatures were typically 2-6 degrees lower with the side left on.
In conclusion, the AF8-25IM-74 Case Fan from Cooler Master is a worthy case fan. The product pumps enough air per minute to keep air circulating throughout the entire case, and is so quiet you'd hardly notice it. As with the CPU cooler we reviewed, build quality is excellent, and the AF8-25IM-74 is an easy rival to other case fans.
Contact: www.coolermaster.com
