Fans are in most every PC case you'll find today as a means of keeping the system cool, it works well for the most part, but not all fans are created equal. Some fans are very loud, and some don't move that much air around the case, so most people will try and find a happy medium that moves a lot of air while remaining relatively silent at the same time.

Today for review I've got six fans from Gelid Solutions, in total there are three 92mm fans and three 120mm fans to be put to the test. Four of the fans are from the Gelid Silent line of fans, two of them are TC or Temperature Controlled fans, two more are PWM controlled fans. The final two fans up for review are special fans aimed towards the enthusiast called the Wing, these fans are brightly colored with neon green blades and a black frame, but what really makes the Wing special are the features of them, and especially the fact that the blades can be removed from the housing for cleaning.

So continue on to learn more about six great fans from our friends at Gelid Solutions...

Gelid Solutions Wing, Silent PWM and TC 120mm and 92mm Fans Reviewed

Author: Kristofer Brozio

Sponsor: Gelid Solutions

Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:

Wing 9 and Wing 12 Fans Features:

Features

* Nanoflux Bearing (NFB)

* Optimized Winglet Fan Blades

* Waterproof & Dustproof

* Long Lifetime (100'000 h MTTF at 40°C)

* Silicone Fan Mounts

* Fan Speed Control

The WING case fans are premium quality, UV reactive, ultra- quiet, dust and water proof cooling fans for gaming enthusiasts.This series features an unique bearing with patented design, winglet fans blades and low starting voltage. Only the highest quality materials have been used to manufacture this state-of-the-art cooling fan.

Control the fan RPM speed according to your desire using the supplied voltage regulator. To add to the silence fan mounts replace traditional screws and are made of high quality, ultra-soft silicone which stop vibrations from the fan motor from traveling into your PC case.

Nanoflux Bearing (NFB)

Patented Nanoflux bearing incorporates a clever magnetic design, very high precision manufacturing and runs friction-free and operates noiseless. Electromagnetic fields are exploited to keep solid parts from touching. The load is carried by a magnetic field.

a) Key Features of Nanoflux Bearing (NFB)

The Nano-technology composite ensures lowest abrasion and extreme durability (MTTF 100’000 hours). Compared to other Magnetic bearings this technology allows the impeller to be detached and thus the fan blades can be cleaned easily.

The material of the Nanoflux bearings is self lubricating and even waterproof.

The fan impeller can be removed from the black fan case by applying gentle pressure.

b) Nanoflux Bearing (NFB) compared to sleeve and ball bearings

Even though conventional sleeve and ball bearings currently dominate the fan market however both have their disadvantages. While sleeve bearings have very low noise emissions and are very cost effective, they tend to leak oil; once the oil has dissipated the fan can no longer operate. Ball bearings, on the other hand, while providing longer operating life are costlier, noisier and are prone to damage.

GELID’s Nanoflux bearing uses magnetic flux to limit contact and friction between the bearing and the shaft. High precision self-lubricated material eliminates oil leakage. The result is a ultra quiet long life bearing.

Fan Speed Control

The RPM speed of any fan can be controlled from full speed to low speed manually according to desire using this voltage regulator. This product is suitable for all high RPM fans and regulates between 5 and 12V.

Rubber Fan Mounts

Vibration from fan motors can travel into a PC case and become amplified when a fan is fitted tightly. This ‘vibrational’ noise is annoying if you wish to build a very quiet or virtually silent PC. These rubber mounts have been designed specifically to deal with fan-induced vibrations and are an ideal alternative to standard fan screws, leaving vibrations 100% decoupled from your PC case.

Features

- High quality materials insures long life even at high temperature

- Ultra-soft silicone polymer will not break or tear during installation

- Universal-Design fits most open chassis fan sizes (80mm,92mm,120mm) and PC cases

- Quick & Easy Tool Less Installation

Specs for Wing 9 92mm fan:

Air Flow (CFM): 39.8

Cable Length (mm): 500

Connector: 3 Pin Molex

Current (A): 0.14

Dimensions (mm): 92 x 92 x 25

Fan Speed (RPM): 2000

INCLUDED: 4 Fan Mounts, Fan Speed Control

Nanoflux Bearing: Yes

Noise Level (dBA): 22.5

Safety Approvals: UL, CUL, CE, RoHS Compliant

Static Pressure (mmAq): 2.15

Voltage (V): 12

Warranty (years): 5

Weight (g): 75

Specs for Wing 12 120mm fan:

Air Flow (CFM): 64.3

Cable Length (mm): 500

Connector: 3 Pin Molex

Current (A): 0.22

Dimensions (mm): 120 x 120 x 25

Fan Speed (RPM): 1500

INCLUDED: 4 Fan Mounts, Fan Speed Control

Nanoflux Bearing: Yes

Noise Level (dBA): 25

Safety Approvals: UL, CUL, CE, RoHS Compliant

Static Pressure (mmAq): 1.925

Voltage (V): 12

Warranty (years): 5

Weight (g): 119

Wing 92mm Fan: MSRP: USD 13.50 / Euro 9.00

Wing 120mm Fan: MSRP: USD 16.40 / Euro 11.00

Silent 9PWM and 12PWM Fan Features:

Features:

* Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)

* Silent Operation w/ Rubber Fan Mounts

* Optimized Fan Blades

* High Airflow & High Static Pressure

* Long Lifetime (50'000 h MTTF at 40°C)

* 5 Years Warranty

Designed for advanced users GELID Silent PWM fans provide additional airflow by using Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to automatically adjust fan speed according to the CPU load. The fan can be idled down and thus be much quieter.

An intelligent IC had been integrated into the fan’s PCB to exploit your mainboard’s BIOS software. This technology is more efficient and convenient than using an external fan controller to adjust the voltage.

Each fan impeller has been individually balanced using the latest technology to guarantee steady, unwavering operation. To add to the silence fan mounts replace traditional screws and are made of high quality, temperature resistant, extra long lasting rubber and stop vibrations from the fan motor from travelling into your PC case.

How does PWM work?

Pulse-width modulation (PWM) delivers a digital signal. The advantages of using a digital PWM signal compared to an analogue controller are:

- PWM control calculates the appropriate cooling performance according to CPU and System temperature - PWM control of your mainboard will always adjust to the correct cooling

- PWM control operates without generating any heat

Silent 12PWM Specs:

Air Flow (CFM): 58

Bearing: Hydro Dynamic Bearing

Cable Length (mm): 500

Connector: 4 Pin Molex

Current (A): 0.18

Dimension (mm): 120 x 120 x 25

Fan Speed (RPM): 750 - 1500

INCLUDED: 4 Rubber Fan Mounts

Noise Level (dBA): 12 - 25.5

Safety Approvals: CE, RoHS Compliant

Static Pressure (mmAq): 1.6

Voltage (V): 12

Warranty (years): 5

Weight (g): 130

Silent 9PWM Specs:

Air Flow (CFM): 37.89

Bearing: Hydro Dynamic Bearing

Cable Length (mm): 500

Connector: 4 Pin Molex

Current (A): 0.18

Dimension (mm): 92 x 92 x 25

Fan Speed (RPM): 900 - 2000

INCLUDED: 4 Rubber Fan Mounts

Noise Level (dBA): 11 - 23.5

Safety Approvals: CE, RoHS Compliant

Static Pressure (mmAq): 2

Voltage (V): 12

Warranty (years): 5

Weight (g): 76

Silent 12PWM: MSRP: USD 10.50 / Euro 7.00

Silent 9PWM: MSRP: USD 9.00 / Euro 6.00

Silent 9TC and 12TC Fan Features:

Designed for discerning Silent enthusiasts GELID Silent TC fans provide additional airflow by changing the fan speed according to your actual temperature needs, giving you no more noise than absolutely necessary and maximum cooling when needed. An intelligent IC embedded in the fan’s PCB allows smart variable fan speeds. Each fan impeller has been individually balanced using the latest technology to guarantee stable operation. To add to the silence fan mounts replace traditional screws and are made of high quality, temperature resistant, extra long lasting rubber and stop vibrations from the fan motor from traveling into your PC case.

This external sensor can be positioned in your desired location. i.e. in front or rear of the case.

Silent 9TC Specs:

Air Flow (CFM): 37.89

Bearing: Hydro Dynamic Bearing

Cable Length (mm): 500

Connector: 3 Pin Molex

Current (A): 0.18

Dimension (mm): 92 x 92 x 25

Fan Speed (RPM): 900 (22C) - 2000 (42C)

INCLUDED: 4 Rubber Fan Mounts

Noise Level (dBA): 11-23.5

Safety Approvals: CE, RoHS Compliant

Sensor Cable Length (mm) 300

Static Pressure (mmAq): 2

Voltage (V): 12

Warranty (years): 5

Weight (g): 76

Silent 12TC Specs:

Air Flow (CFM): 58

Bearing: Hydro Dynamic Bearing

Cable Length (mm): 500

Connector: 3 Pin Molex

Current (A): 0.18

Dimension (mm): 120 x 120 x 25

Fan Speed (RPM): 750 (22C) - 1500 (42C)

INCLUDED: 4 Rubber Fan Mounts

Noise Level (dBA): 12-25.5

Safety Approvals: CE, RoHS Compliant

Sensor Cable Length (mm) 300

Static Pressure (mmAq): 1.6

Voltage (V): 12

Warranty (years): 5

Weight (g): 130

Silent 9TC: MSRP: USD 9.20 / Euro 6.15

Silent 12TC: MSRP: USD 10.80 / Euro 7.20