Graphics Card Cooler: Which is Better Blower vs Fan?
When choosing a graphics card for your desktop, one thing that one usually does is checking and researching different descriptions of different models. It is important to check the specifications and if it would suit your needs. One of the descriptions that is necessary to check is the description on cooler units attached to the card such as blower GPU or Fan GPU. It is essential to check this factor because graphics cards have the tendency to get very hot.
Here are the components that could get hot in graphics cards:
- GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)
- VRAM (Video Memory)
- VRM (Voltage Regulator Module)
The mentioned components need to be cooled down whenever they get hot as this could lead to problems and issues such as:
- Instability issues
- Shutdowns
- Graphics card damage
- Freezing
There are two tools that could help you cool down the mentioned components above and they are air coolers such as a blower GPU and Fan GPU. Both air coolers have their own advantages and disadvantages which has implications in choosing and buying graphics card.
What is a Blower GPU?
This air cooler is a blower-style fan which takes air from the top and releases the air sideways which goes out from the rear. In this type of air cooler, the hot air trapped in the graphics card gets released from the rear vents where you will see the graphics card display connectors or ports.
Blower GPU could be seen in affordable graphics cards. As for its performance, you could say it is of average and it provides minimal noise. However, it could get a bit noisy if you have higher loads. This type of air cooler, however, is not good for overclocking. However, in terms of bulkiness, you would love to know that Blower GPUs are shorter compared to others.
Blower GPUs are perfect for eGPU box use.
What is Fan GPU?
Open-air or Fan GPU is a traditional type of air cooler. It blows cool air on the heatsink directly. Most graphic cards, in fact use this type of air cooler no matter if they budget friendly, mid-range or high-end type of graphics card. In terms of size, fan GPU tends to be bigger. This type of air cooler could be overclocked to higher frequencies.
As for downside, Fan GPU could increase the case temperature since the hot air from the cooler is released in all directions in the computer case. Do not worry, however, as this could be resolved by having a good airflow inside your PC case.
As for its performance, this type of air cooler is much better than the blower typer coolers.
Blower vs Fan GPU for Graphics Card
Blower GPU | Fan GPU | |
Fan Type | Blower Type Fan | Open Air Fan |
Airflow | Sideways to the rear | On the Heatsink |
Number of Fans | 1 | Up to 3 |
Heat Sink HeatPipes | No | Yes |
Cooling Performance | Average | Better |
Usage | In the reference graphic cards | In Third-party graphics card |
Noise Level | Noisy | Comparatively Quiet |
Cooler Form Factor | Relatively Smaller | Medium to Big |