Gelid Silent Spirit CPU Cooler Review

FAN DESIGN

The fan which accompanies the Silent Spirit is listed in the specification as being a 100.5mm x 100.5mm x 45mm fan. In reality this Chinese made, 7 bladed fan (model number G12922524(M)-P) is a PWM capable 92mm unit which is about 35mm high and is rated for a maximum 45.8 CFM at a top speed of 2400rpm. The reason the specification listed on the fan (via its model number) differs from those listed in the Silent Spirit’s specifications page is very simple; in the Silent Spirit configuration Gelid is including the 10mm high fan shroud. This may be bit disingenuous but neither set of numbers are factually incorrect. It really all depends on how you look at it.


The most important feature of this fan is not the fact that it is case-less which will decrease static pressure and noise; nor is it the fact the 4 pin fan cable is totally sheathed in a braided material. No, the biggest feature of this fan is the fact that it is a Fluid Dynamic Bearing fan. Gelid may call it a “HydroDynamic Bearing” but a rose by any other name is still a rose (….or something like that, you get the idea).

The reason we put this feature above all the others is for the simple fact that FDBs are usually low noise, low vibration fans. Even though this fan does spin at a staggering 2400rpm it is actually very, very quiet, and at its top speed most of the noise created is air movement and not bearing noise. To put just how quiet this fan is in perspective, we would estimate it to be about as quiet as a Scythe D model or even a Noctua NF-P1200-1300 with the ULTRA low noise adapter. Considering both of those fans are 120mm FDBs, that really is quite the accomplishment for a 92mm fan.

This fan is not only a quiet but it is also a very well designed fan exhibiting very little shaft or blade slop. It really is only at its top speed does this fan become noticeable and the built in anti-vibration rubber mounts really does a great job of eliminating the small amount of vibrations it creates.


As mentioned earlier this fan comes with a 4 pin PWM capable cable which is not only fairly long at 250mm (aprx 10 inches) but is also fully sheathed in a braided black material. This is certainly a potent combination and is definitely a huge enticement to purchasing this unit.

Rather that rely on MTBF numbers, an easier and better way to get a “feel” for what the manufacturer thinks is the real length of time a product should last is to simply look at the length of warranty provided. The length of warranty has been calculated to be long enough so that customers feel secure in purchasing it BUT still short enough that it will be “out of warranty” when most fail. Taken for what it's worth, the Silent Spirit comes with a 5 year warranty.

Overall, this is very, very good fan which will make all but the most exacting silentPC enthusiast happy. The best thing about it is the fact that it is a standard size 92mm fan (albeit an oddball height one) so if you don’t like it, you can swap out it for a bigger, higher performance fan, via a 92mm to 120mm fan adapter, and still get all the benefits from the included 10mm fan shroud. To us this a win – win situation. The fact, that this cooler is priced the way it is, just adds icing to the cake as far as we are concerned.