In March 2006 we reviewed a product we considered fantastic. Back into perspective and taking into account all the products we’ve tested so far, we still consider Arctic Cooling’s Arctic Fan 9 fantastic.

Two months ago Arctic Cooling launched a new product line, Arctic Fan 8, 9, 12 PWM , similar to the Arctic Fan 9 in appearance and features, but with a is truly innovative twist that will surely delight the PC user: the PST system (PWM Sharing Technology), exclusively patented and manufactured by Arctic Cooling.

But before focusing on this new development, let us review what we wrote about the Arctic Fan 9.
 

NOTE: If we base on the Arctic Fan 9 review , is because it was possible to confirm through usage that the same quality and care are still present. Besides, the same solutions that were used in favor of obtaining an efficient and highly silent fan are also implemented in this new line with the same thoroughness. 

Summarized below are the developments on noise reduction applied by Arctic Cooling in this fan line.

• The lack of lateral frame in the fan avoids turbulence to be produced that inevitably will turn into noise.

• Optimization of the aerodynamic profile of the fan blades. We believe it isn’t necessary to explain that the correct and efficient functioning of the fan depends drastically on the effort put on the design of the fan blades, which can make an enormous difference between a poor and a high-end fan.

• The material the fan blades are made of is plastic reinforced fiberglass to avoid the characteristic noise that high frequency vibrations generate in a fan.

• The fan and the support are not a single piece but two pieces joined by bi-axle rubber elements, with the mission of absorbing the vibrations of the running fan and, therefore, avoiding them to transfer to the rest of the PC.

• The bearing works with hydrodynamic lubrication (for more information, see Arctic Fan 9 review), which produces very little friction and therefore, the wear down and the generated noise will be limited in this side of the fan. 

All in all, we have before us five ingenious measures that were masterly executed, resulting from them low noise levels that are difficult to beat by any fan capable of giving this airflow and pressure.

After this brief review, let’s focus on the PST fan line.

Arctic Cooling keeps the same elegant black background.

Inside the box there is the fan with four mounting screws, a sticker with the company’s logo and another one referring to the new PST technology, and a complete installation instruction sheet written in four languages, which clearly explains the correct mounting of the product.