Alphacool Core 4000RPM 120mm Fan Review - Affordable Speed Demon - Page 10 of 10

Epilogue

The Alphacool Core is a high-performance fan with a standard thickness of 25mm, making it widely compatible and affordable. It is nice to see such high performance levels at a price barely exceeding ten euros. The fan might lack a daisy-chain feature and come with a plain, non-stealth power cable, but Alphacool invested in things that matter, including the double ball-bearing.

The fan’s minimum speed (906 RPM) was attained through a 5% PWM setting on my Corsair Commander, with the noise output at 16.9 dBA, which is pretty low for a high-speed, DBB fan. I read in some Amazon review comments that a user had a problem lowering the fan’s speed, but this wasn’t the case for me. Moreover, the speed range is wide, from 900 RPM to around 4150 RPM, covering most user needs. The lack of a daisy-chain feature is primarily due to the high power consumption, which means a single fan header cannot handle it. That said, there are solutions where a SATA connector can handle the load.

Let’s now look at 25 dBA noise-normalized performance. I chose 25 dBA because it strikes a balance between being low enough not to annoy most users and high enough to allow for speeds that offer decent airflow and static pressure performance.

The airflow is low at 25 dBA normalized noise output, as this fan prioritizes static pressure, which is its top feature, making it only second to the Arctic P12 Pro, one of the best fans available in today’s market.

The Alphacool Core is a great fan, offering high performance at both airflow and static pressure, at high speeds, without emptying your wallet. To keep the price low Alphacool provides it in a plain package, without any accessories, and don’t expect any gimmics like ARGB, daisy-chain or even rubber pads on its corners. Clearly this fan is not for users who are concerned about noise output, but you can set it spin at low enough speeds to not be annoying.

For reference, at the time of the review, the following prices applied in the US market (Amazon):

Alphacool Core 4000RPM: €11
ARCTIC P12 Pro: $8.5
ARCTIC P12 PWM PST (5 Pack): $40
be quiet! Silent Wings 4 120mm High-Speed: $27
Corsair RS120 Max: $35
Endorfy Fluctus 120 PWM: $15
Phanteks T30-120 Triple-Pack: $115
Phanteks M25-120 Gen2 ARGB Triple Pack: $37
NF-A12x25 G2 LS-PWM: $34.9
Scythe Grand Tornado 120mm: $20
Thermalright TL-C12C: $12.9 – 3x fans combo
Thermaltake Toughfan Pro 12: $25
XPG Vento Pro 120mm: $23
XPG Hurricane 120 ARGB PWM (Pack of 2): $70

Below, you will find several 120mm fan reviews to get more insights about this product category.

Before investing in new cooling solutions, read my Best Cooling Fans article to check all alternative fan offerings. You help me a lot by using my affiliate links, which don’t increase the price of the product. I receive a commission from Amazon every time you do it, which can make a significant difference for me, especially now that I am working independently, exclusively for my media, rather than for someone else.

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