140mm Fans for Talon

These are my tested, recommended fans for the Talon. They all have strengths and weaknesses - it's hard to pick a clear favorite. They are all premium quality, high performance, quiet fans from good brands and will work well with the Talon no matter the conditions.

Of course you can try other 140mm fans - just make sure they have higher static pressure, not just a plain old PC case fan. The higher SP is needed to shove all the air through the many fins on a big main heatsink!

Value choice: an affordable yet powerful cooling upgrade is the Black Talon with an Arctic P14 Pro fan. Great looks, super performance, great price!

All fans are 12V, 4-pin PWM and will plug directly into the NerdQaxe++. 

Real world tests with the Talon:

These are my notes and test results from many rounds of testing under various conditions. I do three main tests, all performed with a Thermalright X73 Aluminum heatsink, with NO additional heatsinks on the VRs, coils, or anywhere else, using a cheap rev5 NerdQaxe++ from AliExpress, running software rel 1.0.36. Ambient temperature was 22C. The only upgrades were the X53 heatsink and a 12A fuse. Your results may vary!

Rev6 measurements in progress and will be posted by April 10th!

1. 'Defaults' Test: 600 MHz (4.8 TH/s), 1150mV, ASIC 60C setpoint. Check fan %, rpm and VR temp.
2. 'Moderate OC' Test: 800 MHz (6.5 TH/s), 1250mV, ASIC 60C setpoint. Check fan %, rpm and VR temp.
3. 'OC Headroom' Test: 800 MHz (6.5 TH/s), 1250mV, 100% fan. Check ASIC and VR temps.

The fans and my notes are in no particular order.

Important note about ASIC temperatures: the rev5 reports about 5-7C LOWER than actual ASIC temperatures. I.e. its runs a bit hotter than it reports. The data below are rev5 'reported' temperatures. Impact: if you have a rev5 and want a real ASIC temp of 60C, you need a setpoint of 55C. If you have a rev6, add about 7C to ASIC temps below for ballpark estimates until I complete rev6 testing. Interpret the fan data below accordingly. Also: silicon lottery - YMMV!

Noctua NF-A14  max 1500 rpm

• Test results: (refer to test descriptions above)

1. 1. VR 50C, fan 19% 640rpm
   2. VR 54C, fan 54% 900rpm
   3. ASIC 51C, VR 44C, 1500 rpm max

• Quiet! Barely audible at 600rpm; just a mild hum at 1100 rpm
• cable is a bit thick and stiff
• cable is short but there is a long extension included in the box; the extension plug ends up close to the Cradle flange but is manageable
• may benefit from a diffuser
• no PWM noise at low rpm
• support braces nicely placed so as not to block the secondary Talon ducts
• one set of rubber corners should be removed to fit flange with no gap
• Noctua coloring - it is what it is! Talon is available in a 'Noctua' theme with cream and brown pretty close to actual Noctua.
• actual thickness 25.3mm - standard Talon bolts will fit, and with a finger guard

beQuiet Silent Wings 4 PWM High Speed  max 2000 rpm

• Test Results: (refer to test descriptions above)

1. 1. VR 49C, fan 15%, 580 rpm (min speed)
   2. VR 54C, fan 51%, 1200 rpm
   3. ASIC 50C, VR 43C, 2000 rpm max

• noticeable PWM switching noise (high-pitched) at low rpm
• perfect cable length
• different corner options - square or tapered with rubber iso mounts
• looks good, has some style; matte black
• may benefit from a diffuser
• louder than its peers at 70-100% rpm
• I think there is a lower speed version of this model
• one brace is blocking the power duct entry, not a big deal
• actual thickness 25mm, but will get smaller as bolt face is on rubber - standard Talon bolts will fit, and with a finger guard

Arctic P14 Pro PST    max 2500 rpm

• Test Results: (refer to test descriptions above)

1. 1. VR 49C, fan 15% 580 rpm (min speed)
   2. VR 56C, fan 31% 900 rpm
   3. ASIC 46C, VR 39C, fan 2500 rpm max

• looks and feels a little 'cheaper' than the others - just my perception. This is the least expensive fan I recommend.
• plainer style; matte black
• cable is a bit short, but will fit if some cable management areas are bypassed
• The PST model cable has a second plug at the end for daisy chaining - could be cut off.
• The CO (Continuous Operation) model (P14 Pro PST CO) has a ball bearing - highly recommended for longevity. The non-CO models have a sleeve bearing.
• no PWM noise at low rpm
• noisy at max rpm
• support braces are nice and thin, but one blocks one of the small ducts - not a big deal
• no diffuser needed - likely due to the tip ring on the impeller 
• actual thickness 27.3 mm - standard Talon bolts will fit, BUT use 50mm bolts if you intend to install a finger guard. See the Talon Options page.

Sudokoo Mach 140   max 2200 rpm

• Test Results: (refer to test descriptions above)

1. 1. ASIC 57C (could not reach 60C on min!), VR 45C, fan 15% 600 rpm min
   2. VR 54C, fan 32% 920 rpm
   3. ASIC 47C, VR 40C, fan 2200 rpm max

• high-tech styling - closely spaced ribs on the sides with removable side inserts in space grey
• switchable LED in transparent central hub - lights up the copper stator coils - looks amazing; great accent for copper heatsinks
• 30 mm thick - WILL NEED 50mm BOLTS! See the Talon Options page.
• good cabling - nice connectors, extra long. Excess easily coiled and hidden under the main duct.
• may benefit from a diffuser
• a bit of PWM noise at low rpm; low-pitched, not annoying
• extra-thick fan - adds visual mass to the Talon system 
• actual thickness 30.2mm - WILL NEED 50mm BOLTS! Will fit finger guard. See the Talon Options page.