Just a Fan…or not.

When is a fan not just a fan?  This is a question for the case mod junkies out there, who are constantly looking for new and exciting ways to dress up an otherwise drab computer case.  With the internal temperatures of a computer case being such a concern, adding additional cooling fans is not only a trick mod, but a necessity.  For the average user, a simple black 80mm case fan would do the trick, but for the guy with a Plexiglas side panel and multiple exhaust fans, simple is not an option.  The OC Systems 80mm Clear Case Fan with Blue LEDs is an inexpensive way to add some instant coolness-factor to your case, with very little effort or risk.  Remove the existing case fan, drop in this 80mm replacement, plug in the power leads, then sit back and revel in the glowing blue lights.  And we all know how cool blue lights are, as opposed to the other colored lights out there.  Something about blue LEDs just makes them cool.

So how exactly do you review a fan?  Honestly, there is not a lot to say other than covering the specs, and giving you an idea of what this fan has to offer over a standard 80mm fan.  The specs of the fan are fairly standard: 80mm, 2500 RPM, pushing 32.5 CFM.  The fan features a 3-wire cable for monitoring fan rotation if desired.  As indicated in the name of the fan, the construction is of a clear plastic, with two blue LEDs mounted in the center hub.  Under low light conditions, the fan blades glow a cool blue when the fan is in operation.

We installed the fan in two different cases, testing out various mounting options and lighting effects for the LEDs.  Our first test placement was the Antec 1080 Plus, with the fan installed in the front intake position.    The LEDs lit up the front grill of the case well under lowlight conditions, and with the tool-free design of the 1080 Plus, this was a 10-second case mod.  Perfect for a guy like me who is short on time, but still likes cool toys.  Our second, and overall better placement, was in the new Color Cases Stealth X.  This case features a Plexi side window, with a central 80mm fan location in the window.  With a window mod, the inside of the case gets a nice blue glow in lowlight conditions, while the clear construction of the fan complements the window in bright lighting.

I’m going to dispense with the standard ratings on this review, since there is not a huge amount of data to compare.  It is a fan, and it blows a fair amount of air.  The fan is also very quiet, which is a good thing.  The clear construction is slick, and the blue LEDs are a very nice addition to any case out there.  Even if you don’t have a window kit installed, the fan can still add a little coolness to your case, as illustrated by our Antec 1080’s front grill.  These things are selling for as low as $5 each, which is not that much more than a standard 80mm case fan, so they pretty much a bargain, too.  Just be sure to factor in shipping and handling costs when ordering online, since it adds to the final cost of an item.  Overall, this is a quick, painless case mod I would even recommend for my grandma.