Water cooling technology has become highly advanced, leading more consumers to choose all-in-one (AIO) water coolers for CPU cooling. Aside from heat dissipation performance, the ease of installation has also become an important consideration. To enhance the user experience, manufacturers have focused on improving one of the most critical components—the water cooling fan.
| Types of Water Cooling Fan |
Currently, there are three main types of water cooling fans on the market: standard fans, custom chain-link fans, and modular fans.
1. Standard Fans
Standard fans function similarly to typical case fans and are connected using two types of cables: PWM and ARGB. The PWM cable features a 4-pin connector, which controls the fan speed through the motherboard, while the ARGB cable has a 3-pin connector to control the lighting effects.
Advantages: These fans use a universal connection method and can be linked with case fans.
Considerations: The installation process can be cumbersome as each fan requires two different cables, making the setup difficult and cable management challenging.
Aesthetics: ★★
Installation Experience: ★
Cost-Effectiveness: ★★★★
2. Chain-Link Fans
Chain-link fans use a specialized cable system to connect fans in series. With just one cable, all the fans are linked together, and you only need to connect the final cable to the motherboard.
Advantages: These fans save time during installation, and manufacturers typically pre-install the fans onto the radiator, saving you from having to secure them yourself.
Considerations: If one fan malfunctions, you can only replace it by purchasing the exact same fan from the manufacturer—third-party replacements are not possible.
Aesthetics: ★★★★
Installation Experience: ★★★★★
Cost-Effectiveness: ★★★★
3. Modular Fans
Modular fans connect via either a snap-together or magnetic system, eliminating the need for cables between fans. Like the chain-link fans, the only connection required is to the motherboard.
Advantages: With no cables between fans, the system looks much cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing.
Considerations: Due to the advanced technology involved, modular fan-based AIO water coolers tend to be more expensive, which might not be ideal for budget-conscious users.
Aesthetics: ★★★★★
Installation Experience: ★★★★★
Cost-Effectiveness: ★★
Best Chain-Link Fan Water Cooler – DN360S Liquid CPU Cooler
The DN360S Liquid CPU Cooler by darkFlash is an excellent choice for those seeking both affordability and ease of installation. This cooler uses the chain-link fan design to provide a smooth installation process and saves users time by pre-installing the fans onto the radiator. Additionally, the DN-360S features a 2.1-inch 480x480 pixel IPS display, which can monitor hardware data or display customizable, cute animations. Whether you're checking system stats or adding a touch of personality to your setup, the DN360S Liquid CPU Cooler has you covered!
