A kind of bearing containing oil as a friction contact when fan is rotating. Its disadvantage is the contact of the bearing gets rough and dry when the oil is leaking or less after certain period of use. The unsmooth contact results in high temperature, abnormal noise and then causes the cooler totally out of order. The life in use of this kind of fan is about 1/2 or 2/3 of ball bearing fan which is around 20000~30000 hours.
2.
What is a ball bearing?
n the bearing there are several little steel balls around, so when axle rotates, the steel balls rotate too. As it's round, its friction is also less than sleeve bearing design. You can also rule out the disadvantage of leaking oil, so the life in use is longer. Generally 40000~55000 hours. However, its cost is higher and that's why a cooler with ball bearing fan is about US$1~1.5 dollars more than sleeve bearing cooler.
3.
How do we know the kind of bearing system of a cooler if the label doesn't show?
Can't know. Unless you tear it apart to have a close look of inside parts, otherwise you won't know. You would also be cheated by the label if the maker intends to lie. This is why a brand cooler is important.
4.
What is a 3 wire fan?
What matters about a good cooler is its overall design and compatibility to what CPU you use. It's not only about a powerful fan or a quiet fan or a fan with whatever kind of clips and heatsinks. Fan makers may offer cooler with better price, but if the cooler they offer can't reach your requirements, do you think they would change their fan and turn to some other fan suppliers? The answer is clear. Global WIN specialize in the overall performance, so we care for cooler's performance always under a total consideration of fan life, heatsink performance, clips and the kind of CPU you use, budget you have of course.
5.
Does fan blade shape and number of blades matter?
Different fan blade shape has slight influence over air flow at the same speed. But most important is its overall performance such as balance status, noise level and life in use. (MTBF: meantime between failure--indicator of fan life in use)
6.
Some fan makers also produce coolers, how do we see the coolers they have?
What matters about a good cooler is its overall design and compatibility to what CPU you use. It's not only about a powerful fan or a quiet fan or a fan with whatever kind of clips and heatsinks. Fan makers may offer cooler with better price, but if the cooler they offer can't reach your requirements, do you think they would change their fan and turn to some other fan suppliers? The answer is clear. Global WIN specialize in the overall performance, so we care for cooler's performance always under a total consideration of fan life, heatsink performance, clips and the kind of CPU you use, budget you have of course.
