PC cooling fans are essential. They keep the airflow circulating, cooling the radiators for water-cooling, and are one of the premier ways to add lighting to a system. Of course, being this vital means that they are spinning almost the entire time the PC is on, meaning the poor things work hard for long hours.
This means that fans, yes, even CORSAIR fans, will wear out eventually. However, depending on which fans you get, there are a few tricks we use to make them last longer. As an example, we'll use the iCUE LINK QX120 RGB fans.
We provide a 5-year warranty for QX fans, but they will likely last longer, even if the performance begins to diminish over time. Aside from the warranty, though, there are a couple of things that help the QX fans last longer.
First up is the implementation of Zero RPM mode. This will entirely stop the fans when they're not needed. For gaming, they're sure to spin up, but if you're only writing in a word doc or looking at the Corsair subreddit, your PC isn't working very hard, so it's not generating much meaningful heat, so the fans simply do not need to spin.
The QX fans also feature a magnetic dome bearing design. This means that there is almost no contact between the parts that spin and the parts that don't. This hugely reduces wear and tear for, increasing lifespan. As a side benefit, it also significantly lowers the noise of the fans, even at high RPMs. You can also use the super cool Time Warp lighting mode, too.
There are several factors that may impact the lifespan of a PC fan and like any other PC component, this can vary depending on elements such as usage, the operating ambient temperature of the cooling fan, and how well maintained they are from dust and other debris.
The more a fan operates, the more wear and tear it experiences. Fans that run at higher speeds or for longer durations, such as those used for cooling gaming PCs or servers, may have a shorter lifespan compared to fans in low-power or infrequently used systems. Another factor can be due to the operating environment of your PC which can affect fan longevity. Dust, humidity, and temperature extremes can impact fan performance and durability. Keeping your PC clean and well-ventilated can help extend the life of its components.
CORSAIR fans are known for their reliability and performance. Still, their lifespan can vary based on how they are used and the conditions in which they operate. Regularly monitoring fan performance, cleaning, and replacing fans as needed can help ensure your PC maintains optimal cooling and airflow. If a fan begins to exhibit unusual noises or a significant drop in performance, it might be time to replace it to prevent overheating and potential damage to your components.
PRODUCTS IN ARTICLE
