The problem with high-speed fans—regardless of how close the blades are to the frame—is that the blades can warp. Under these conditions, you either use more durable LCP—which isn’t foolproof—or switch to aluminum altogether. That’s the choice Cooler Master has made with its MasterFan A series (unveiled at Computex this year)! The fans are constructed entirely of aluminum to ensure the blades remain completely rigid!
MasterFan A: aluminum fans!
Maximum rigidity!
As mentioned earlier, the MasterFan A series consists of fans made entirely of aluminum. Both the frame and the blades are constructed from this material. The reason behind this choice isn’t simply to make the spec sheet look good, but to ensure flawless rigidity of the entire unit, even at high speeds. It’s worth noting, however, that the FC version can reach 4,000 RPM! In any case, the design also ensures that the blades pass very close to the frame—just 0.6 mm.
Here, the spec sheet indicates that two versions are available:
- MasterFan A120:
- Speed: up to 2,500 rpm
- Airflow: up to 76.9 CFM
- Static pressure: up to 6.1 mmH₂O
- MasterFan A120 FC:
- Speed: up to 4,000 rpm
- Airflow: up to 121.73 CFM
- Static pressure: up to 13.15 mmH₂O
Clearly, these are fans designed for performance, but be aware of noise levels—at full speed, the noise is likely to be significant, although the aluminum gives the sound a deep, low-pitched tone! It’s also worth noting that they’re 30 mm thick and will be available in 120-mm and 140-mm sizes.
MasterFan M: a blend of LCP and aluminum!
With this series, Cooler Master aims to offer a more affordable line while still using aluminum for the frame. However, the blades are made ofLCP. This is reflected in the speeds, which drop to a maximum of 2,300 RPM. This affects performance, as the airflow is 75.2 CFM while the static pressure reaches 5.4 mmH₂O… which is still quite substantial.
Prices:
At first glance, the price might seem daunting, but it’s actually not “that bad.” In fact, the models made entirely of aluminum are priced at €24 and €32 for the 120 FC. The aluminum/LCP versions are more affordable, coming in at €17 for the 120- and 140-mm models. Clearly, these fans are more robustly built than what Noctua offers, yet they come at a lower price.
Check out Cooler Master’s product pages here and there !
