Enermax Warp 120mm Enlobal Bearing Fan

Introduction:

A fan might not seem like an exciting product, however the Enermax Warp features a new bearing technology that provides longer MTBF and lower noise. Traditionally fans use either a sleeve bearing or ball bearing design. The Warp features a patented "Enlobal" bearing system which is a Magnetic Barometric Bearing.

WARP, the recently introduced first fan series based on ENLOBAL (magnetic-barometric) bearing technology changed the world of cooling. Its' revolutionary new "ENLOBAL" bearing technology, which rotates the fan, in contrary to all other bearings, by magnetic fields, generated by a variety of magnets and even pressured air, is the most efficient fan bearing available. Since the fan does not touch anything, it can rotate without friction or vibration. This allows it a drastically higher rotation speed and thus higher cfm with much less noise than other bearings.

This superior technology offers a longer lifetime as well and can even work under water and therefore be cleaned without damage. This tremendous effect was shown at Cebit 2006.

5 years of development were needed by the engineers of ENERMAX to finish this technology. The result of a bearing with outstanding silence and airflow (cfm), was immediately patented.

Manufacturer's Features & Specifications:

Features:

• "Auto Restart" function to prevent system damage
• Unique lightweight Magnetic Barometric Bearing-"Enlobal" for low abrasion, low noise and long MTBF
• Patent speed regulator provides you the optimal balance between heat-dissipation and noise control
• Rotation without oil and simple structure for easy assembly
• High mechanical precision for running smoothly
• Specific plastic material for anti-rusty

Specifications:

• Bearing Type: Enlobal
• Noise Level (dBA): 16 - 37
• Speed Range (RPM): 1000 – 2400
• Airflow (CFM): 26.907 - 83.49
• MTBF: 100,000 Hours

The Enlobal 12cm PC Fan:

The fan comes in a little box covered with all sorts of features & specifications promoting the new enlobal design.

Included in the box is the fan, screws, manual, and speed dial. The assembly that the dial goes into fits in one of the corners of the fan assembly, and can be reversed for either side. Unfortunately the cord is not long enough, nor is the design geared towards using the speed dial detached from the fan. The fan blades can actually be removed from the fan assembly to allow a more thorough cleaning.

Fan Usage & Final Conclusions:

While I really like the new bearing system, the one thing that kind of gets me is the speed dial. It's nice that the user can adjust the fan speed to suite their own preference, however in most cases the dial will not be easily accessible once mounted in the case (i.e. you will have to open the case to adjust the fan speed). In some PC cases I've seen a rear 120mm exhaust fan, which in that instance the dial could be fitted on the outside, however the user would still have to reach around the case to adjust it. So for most people (like me) the fan speed will be "set it & forget it".

Compared to another 120mm ball bearing fan with similar airflow specifications, the Enermax Warp fan did seem noticeably quieter. The new enlobal system seems like it should stay quite, especially since there is no need for oiling bearings!