Although the niche of silent computing enthusiasts is still fairly small in comparison to performance enthusiasts who would settle for a quiet computer, more and more products claiming silent operation have been released in the recent years. Sharkoon’s Anti Vibe Magnetic fan frame is another step towards making computers silent, by offering a simple way of dampening vibrations of a case fan.
Furthermore, tool-less designs have become a big selling point of computer hardware. Once you work with a tool-less computer case, you might never want to go back to a case that requires tedious metal screws. Now, Sharkoon brings tool-less installation of case fans to a new level. Up to now, I believe that the only other tool-less solution for fans was a plastic snap-on frame, included in some computer cases in the past. Silicone fan mounts can also be tool-less, but they can be tedious if there is not enough clearance for hands or tools in the computer case. Unlike the latter, the Anti Vibe Magnetic is easily installed into computer cases thanks to its magnets. The magnets also make the silicone fan frame installable on nearly any place in a computer case.
A downside of the product would be the risk damaging magnetic-sensitive computer components. Sharkoon reassures customers that the risk is low, however. Also, only computer cases that have magnetic surfaces can fully benefit the vibration dampening feature of the Anti Vibe Magnetic. Therefore, aluminum or acrylic case users are out of luck, but the Anti Vibe Magnetic can still be installed with normal fan screws. Elsewhere, the Anti Vibe Magnetic only supports specific fan sizes: 120 mm or 80 mm, with 25 mm thickness. I believe that Sharkoon should have done differently. Instead of making frames for a specific fan size, Sharkoon should consider making four separate silicone frames that would fit only around the corners of the fan. A small silicone clip could be integrated into the frame to secure the frame to a fan corner. This will unfortunately not allow fan screws to be installed. However, with this way, any fan size of 25 mm thickness would be supported.
With all of this considered, I think that the Sharkoon has hit a high note with the Anti Vibe Magnetic fan frame. Sharkoon delivers in its promise to offer an easy and quick solution to fan installation, with the added bonus of vibration dampening. As such, the Sharkoon Anti Vibe Magnetic fan frame is awarded the Vortez Hardware Gold award.
Pros
+ Easy installation and usage; much simpler than metal screws and silicone mounts
+ Excellent build quality and highly flexible frame
+ Great vibration dampening; virtually eliminates vibrations from a fan
+ Good and simple look; a black matte finish allows it to blend in with cases
Cons
- Contains magnets; low risk of damaging magnetic-sensitive components and support for computers with magnetic surface
- Support for specific fan sizes; 120 mm or 80 mm case fans of 25 mm thickness
Vortez Hardware would like to thank Sharkoon Technologies for supplying this product sample. We hope to see more Sharkoon reviews on our website soon.
To discuss this review please visit our forum.
Furthermore, tool-less designs have become a big selling point of computer hardware. Once you work with a tool-less computer case, you might never want to go back to a case that requires tedious metal screws. Now, Sharkoon brings tool-less installation of case fans to a new level. Up to now, I believe that the only other tool-less solution for fans was a plastic snap-on frame, included in some computer cases in the past. Silicone fan mounts can also be tool-less, but they can be tedious if there is not enough clearance for hands or tools in the computer case. Unlike the latter, the Anti Vibe Magnetic is easily installed into computer cases thanks to its magnets. The magnets also make the silicone fan frame installable on nearly any place in a computer case.
A downside of the product would be the risk damaging magnetic-sensitive computer components. Sharkoon reassures customers that the risk is low, however. Also, only computer cases that have magnetic surfaces can fully benefit the vibration dampening feature of the Anti Vibe Magnetic. Therefore, aluminum or acrylic case users are out of luck, but the Anti Vibe Magnetic can still be installed with normal fan screws. Elsewhere, the Anti Vibe Magnetic only supports specific fan sizes: 120 mm or 80 mm, with 25 mm thickness. I believe that Sharkoon should have done differently. Instead of making frames for a specific fan size, Sharkoon should consider making four separate silicone frames that would fit only around the corners of the fan. A small silicone clip could be integrated into the frame to secure the frame to a fan corner. This will unfortunately not allow fan screws to be installed. However, with this way, any fan size of 25 mm thickness would be supported.
With all of this considered, I think that the Sharkoon has hit a high note with the Anti Vibe Magnetic fan frame. Sharkoon delivers in its promise to offer an easy and quick solution to fan installation, with the added bonus of vibration dampening. As such, the Sharkoon Anti Vibe Magnetic fan frame is awarded the Vortez Hardware Gold award.
Pros
+ Easy installation and usage; much simpler than metal screws and silicone mounts
+ Excellent build quality and highly flexible frame
+ Great vibration dampening; virtually eliminates vibrations from a fan
+ Good and simple look; a black matte finish allows it to blend in with cases
Cons
- Contains magnets; low risk of damaging magnetic-sensitive components and support for computers with magnetic surface
- Support for specific fan sizes; 120 mm or 80 mm case fans of 25 mm thickness
Vortez Hardware would like to thank Sharkoon Technologies for supplying this product sample. We hope to see more Sharkoon reviews on our website soon.
To discuss this review please visit our forum.
