FAQ - Frequently asked Questions

Thanks to the new motor technology of the PWM-capable P-fans, only 5% of the commutation vibrations of a conventional DC motor occur. A modern sinus magnetization guarantees an even distribution of force, eliminating the need for an additional rubber buffer.

Stagnant air is a very ineffective conductor of heat. Without air circulation, high-performance PC components would quickly build up heat and consequently suffer thermal throttling. The rotating movement of the fan blades mechanically generates airflow. This airflow in the housing or on the heat sink helps to remove the warm air and draw in new, cooler air. This has a huge impact on cooling performance.

There are two categories of ARCTIC case fans: P-fans and F-fans. While F-fans are used where airflow is required, P-fans work in such a way that they generate high static pressure. This makes P-fans particularly suitable for use on heat sinks, radiators or dust filters. The BioniX fan is a gaming fan available in both series and different sizes. Its extended speed range and special optics make it the ideal fan for gamers. The product name shows whether a fan has PWM. A "PST" in the product name identifies our popular PWM sharing technology, in which the PWM signal of a fan is shared with other fans. A "CO", on the other hand, indicates that the fan is optimised for continuous operation. Thanks to a double ball bearing, this has a longer service life and can be operated for years without interruptions.

Using the connector block or connection cable, up to five BioniX P120 A-RGB can be operated on one port of the A-RGB controller.

If you want to replace the fans of a compact water cooling system from a third-party manufacturer with the ARCTIC Bionix P140, it is possible that the pre-assembled screws may not fit. Compatible screws are available from ARCTIC support. To request these, please send an inquiry with the attached invoice for the P-fans to the contact form below. Support Form

To get detailed information on how to change the PWM-settings specific to your motherboard, refer to our guide below: Change PWM-Settings

A 3-pin case fan can easily be connected to a 4-pin connector on the motherboard. The fourth pin is simply left blank in this configuration. In most cases, it will then run unregulated at a fixed speed. Some newer boards offer the possibility to adjust the fan speed by voltage. Look for the option "Fan Control Mode" and set it from "PWM" to "Voltage" or "Analog". See the manual of your mainboard for detailed information. It is also possible to install a 4-pin fan on a 3-pin connector. Here the fan runs at full speed, too, provided the type of control has not been modified. Only one PWM signal for all fans can be set with the Case Fan Hub. Voltage Control via the Case Fan Hub is not possible because of the SATA power source!

The number of fans controllable via PWM sharing technology on a fan connector depends on the output of the motherboard and the current of the respective fans. Motherboard fan connectors typically have an output of 1 to 2 amps. The current rating of our fans can be found on the back of the motor hub and under the technical details. Example: If a fan has a current strength of 0.2 Ampere and the motherboard fan connector has 1 Ampere, up to 5 fans can be operated in series via PWM Sharing Technology. Four fans without PST technology can be connected in series via the PST Cable Rev. 2. Their speed is synchronised. Parallel control of up to ten fans is possible via the Case Fan Hub. P12 PWM PST Pressure-optimised 120 mm Fan with PWM PST PST Cable Rev.2 PWM-Sharing Cable Case Fan Hub 10 Port PWM Fan Hub with SATA Power

In addition to the size and speed of a fan, airflow and static pressure are two important indicators for evaluating the performance of a fan. For airflow, the amount of air transported is specified either in cubic meters per hour (m³ / h) or alternatively in CFM (cubic feet per minute). In contrast, static pressure is measured in mm H²O with the so-called (milli-) meter water column and corresponds to the pressure in the specified water depth. Information on the airflow therefore indicates the maximum amount of air that can be moved by the fan, whereas figures on the static pressure provide information about the pressure at which the air is transported.

3-pin case fan: Standard, Silent and TC series 4-pin case fan: PWM (PST) series We also have pin-outs in the manuals of all our newer case fans if you aren't sure, which one is correct for you. Older coolers and fans or lower-end alternatives tend to use multi-coloured cables for their product. These most times match the standard modern layout. Most older GPU fan connectors tend to use the same pin layout despite their smaller size.

Static pressure is important for cooling performance in situations where completely free air circulation is not possible. This can be a narrow-meshed housing inlet, or radiators and heat sinks with their closely spaced cooling fins. To guarantee a high air circulation through these resistors, the highest possible static pressure is required. Without a correspondingly high static pressure, the desired air circulation can not be achieved, which means that cooling capacity is lost.

Basically, the two ARCTIC fan series F (as in flow) and P (as in pressure) differ in their main application: F fans are suitable for maximum airflow with low air resistance. They achieve maximum airflow with an open case or very large-meshed fan guards. F fans are also ideal for use with classic fan grills. For airflow, the transported air volume is optionally specified in cubic metres per hour (m³/h) or alternatively in CFM (cubic feet per minute). Suitable F-fan scenarios: Many fans tend to generate annoying humming noises or uneven sound pressure on one frequency at higher speeds. Our F fans, on the other hand, distribute the sound pressure more or less evenly along the frequency bands (also called white noise). This means that the noise development is perceived as barely disturbing, if at all. The P fans, on the other hand, are designed for maximum static pressure. Static pressure is important for cooling performance in situations where completely free air circulation is not possible. This can be, for example, a tightly meshed case intake, or radiators and heat sinks with their closely spaced cooling fins. In order to guarantee a high air circulation through these resistances, the highest possible static pressure is required. Without a correspondingly high static pressure, the desired air circulation is not achieved, resulting in a loss of cooling capacity. Suitable P-fan scenarios: Do you have further questions or is anything unclear? - Contact our support to get professional answers to all your questions.

Our new case fans come with a 0dB mode. This means that the fans do not rotate with a low PWM signal and are therefore completely silent. In this way, unnecessary noise can be avoided in office mode and additional energy can be saved. If the operating load of the computer increases again and more cooling is necessary, the fan is informed via PWM and starts again. This happens fully automatically. Change PWM-Settings

Despite their similar-sounding names, RGB and A-RGB are two completely different lighting standards that cannot be easily connected. RGB LEDs are powered by an analogue 12V signal via a 4-pin connector: The lighting options with "standard" RGB are limited. For example, the LEDs can be reduced in brightness, but only one colour and brightness can be output at a time. A-RGB, on the other hand, is supplied by a digital 5V signal via a 3-pin connector: The lighting possibilities with A-RGB are much more advanced than those of RGB. For example, different LEDs of an array (e.g. fans or LED strips) can light up simultaneously in different colours and in this way also create patterns or various stylish effects, such as rainbows and colour flashes.