(((Noiseblocker))) updated their eLoop® lineup from the classical white blade and black frame, to an all black design, for both 120 and 140 mm models. Since we last review them, they were really great. But let’s redo the tests with more environments and see how the innovative and unique blade design has stood the test of time.
Today we are reviewing the PWM models from both categories, hence the “PS” designation.
Noiseblocker
(((Noiseblocker))) is a trademark of the Blacknoise group.
Blacknoise Deutschland GmbH is focused on the development and production of high-quality product solutions in computer Hardware, multimedia accessories and they also produce industrial grade fans.
Founded in 1998, they are the European leader in the low-noise PC arena – particularly through their Noiseblocker brand – and have become a mature, economically stable company.
Thus, they have branches worldwide in over 33 countries.
Their success is based on innovative product development, quality assurance and not only their global reach, but their ability to think flexibly and are very proud of their products, patented technologies and testing methodology like low-noise development, Low-dB-measuring chamber, fast prototyping, CAD construction, fan-characteristic curve-testing bench-measurement and acoustic-camera-visualization engineered at the limits of audibility.
Pricing and availability
The 120 mm variant:
£ 21.99 – via Amazon.co.uk
Noiseblocker NB-eLoop Fan B12-PS Black Edition – 120mm PWM
$ 24.99 – via Amazon.com
Noiseblocker NB-eLoop Series B12-PS Black Edition 120mm PWM Bionic Loop Rotor Fan, 1500rpm, 21 dBA
And the 140 mm variant:
£ 27.95 – via Amazon.co.uk
Noiseblocker NB-eLoop Fan B14-PS Black Edition – 140mm PWM
$ 29.99 – via Amazon.com
Noiseblocker NB-eLoop B14-PS Black Edition 140mm 4Pin PWM Fan, 300-1200RPM, 83.92CFM, 24.28dBA
Presentation and specification
*Courtesy of their website:
They simply state that their products are “The first high-tech compact fans worldwide with a bionic loop rotor (BionicLoopFan®)” that come from Germany.
Specs are very detailed as seen also from other top quality brands like Noctua and are identical to the regular white series.
The eLoop® series incorporate a lot of innovative technologies and patents.
* 100% developed in Germany
* TÜV-certified sound level specifications = real data
* Extremely low-noise bionic loop rotor
* Bionic deep sound fan frame
* Position-invariant magnetic bearing NB-NanoSLI® 2 NEW!
* Silent NB-EKA P2 Drive NEW!
* Bayer® Makrolon® rotor with anti-dust technology
* Weighted reinforced fibreglass PBT frame
* NB cable management with two pluggable connection cables
* Perfect results for PC casing, CPU cooling systems and radiator (higher cooling power at same revolution rates)
A very interesting aspect is that they were developed with the help of Dr. Rudolf Bannasch – an expert in the field of applied bionics research and conversion of innovative concepts from the bionics to technical procedures and products.
Without remembering the past reviews, so far, they look like serious performing and advanced fans.
Packaging and Visual Examination
The overall box design is the same as the regular series, but of course, in an all black theme background.
The front covers all the important details from specs, visual depiction of the products to the awards and country of origin. Which looks even better if you ask me.
On the back, a more detailed look regarding the specifications plus we learn the fact that it is has the support of Germany’s Federal Minister Of Economics and Technology.
Inside, we get the following: *(Cat not included)
* 4x Philips fine thread screws
* 4x Knurled nuts
* 8x Silicon inner grommets
* 1x 20 cm connection cable with textile sheath/sleeving
* 1x 50 cm connection cable with textile sheath/sleeving
Both 120 and 140 mm variants are pretty much identical in terms of design with Noiseblocker’s trademarks like the continuous blade design, antivibration removable outer frame pads and to reduce turbulence the blades have a wave pattern combined with interrupted pattern dots on the frame itself.
They look so aggressive, mean and sleek in full black! They remind me of the ’80s Batmobil.
As before, the 140 mm ones are thicker as well versus the 120 mm ones; 29 mm vs 25 mm tall.
Ok, let’s put them in action. Although they have identical specs, let’s see if they stood the test of time.
Installation and Testing
- We will test both 120 and 140 mm fans on our Reeven Justice 120 mm heatsink
- To make things even more interesting we will use an Intel Extreme series CPU – something that it is capable of dumping a lot of heat – the QX9650, a 130w TDP coal miner even in stock form. The CPU will be overclocked, of course. We managed 3.6 GHz at 1.375v
- As the main torture test, we will employ the Intel Burn Test run set at “High stress” settings and then some 3D benchmarks as well
- Room temperature is set at ~ 20°C
- For the noise testing, we used our Pyle PSPL01 placed 30 cm away from the setup – all other fans will be off an the fans of the GPU(s) will be off and/or set at minimum
- Thermal paste used – Noctua NH-H1
- We will compare the results to other 120 & 140 mm high performance fans
- All fans will be left on the auto % rpm curve for idle and the benchmarks; then only for an absolute performance index, we will ramp them up to 100%
- Any results over 90° C in any condition are considered a fail
Hardware used:
Processor: Intel Extreme QX9650 @ 3.6 Ghz – 1.375v
Cooler: Reeven Justice RC-1204 120 mm single tower CPU cooler
Case: GameMAX Titan MidTower ATX
Motherboard: XFX 750i NVIDIA SLI ATX
RAM: 4 GB (2×2) OCZ Reaper X DDR2 800 Mhz CL4
GPUs:Quad-SLI NVIDIA GTX 295 (EVGA + DELL)
HDD: WD Black SE 160 GB
PSU: Corsair TX 750w V2
Competition fans:
– Reeven 120 mm RY1225S15BP – 1500 RPM | 4 Pin (PWM) | 12.0 V | 30 dBA | 139.4 m³
– Noctua 120 mm NF-F12 3000 – 3000 RPM | 4 Pin (PWM) | 12.0 V | 30 dBA | 186.7 m³
– Noctua 120 mm NF-S12B – 1200 RPM | 4 Pin (PWM) | 12.0 V | 18 dBA | 100.6 m³
– Noctua 140 mm NF-P14s/r – 1500 RPM | 4 Pin (PWM) | 12.0 V | 25 dBA | 133.7 m³
Software:
– Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 1607
– NVIDIA GeForce WHQL 342.01
– Core Temp v1.7 R6 – To see the temperatures in real time
– CPU-Z v1.71 – To verify the CPU’s statistics
– Intel Burn Test v2.54 – Main torture and stability test
– MSI Afterburner v4.11 – To record the FPS and load/temperatures
– Valley Benchmark v1.0 – A popular testing suite
– SpeedFan v4.52 – To manually control the RPM curve
And for the Tomb Raider game, we run the included benchmark suite for a more real life scenario.
Resolution set at FHD / 1920 x 1080 with everything set to maximum quality settings and no V-sync.
The results
The first test covers the torture scenario on various RPM ranges which shows that the eLoops still perform extremely well regarding static pressure and overall airflow.
Then in the 3D benchmarks, again they are still up there just shy of the Noctua extreme model.
And finally, noise output, is still at great levels considering how much performance they offer.
Conclusion
Sounds unnecessary to do a full separate review just when they offer a new color palate for one of their products, but Noiseblocker, even though they released the eLoop generation almost 5 years ago, we wanted to see if they stood the test of time in all areas. Which they did! Sometimes, as the saying goes, if it works, don’t mess with it and they did just that. The eLoops still kick a**!
The good:
+ Very high build quality
+ Excellent performance regarding airflow, noise output and cooling
+ Epic antivibration and low turbulence patents
+ Unique blade design which still performs
+ Fully sleeved and modular cables
+ Product presentation is very top notch and rich with technical details
+ Maximum attention to details
The bad:
– On the expensive side but quality as we know costs.
– No RGB in their offer
Glob3trotters “Top Performers” Award – 4.5 out of 5
Many thanks to Noiseblocker for the Batmobil’s Wheels !
