What we have for review is the T-FORCE DARK AirFlow I SSD cooler. This active cooler is made specifically for high-speed PCIe 5.0 SSDs, where thermal dissipation is a key factor in maintaining high-performance and longevity.
Disclosure: TEAMGROUP provided the T-FORCE DARK AirFlow I for this review. The company did not request any specific commentary about the product.
Table of Contents
Technical Specifications
The T-FORCE DARK AirFlow I M.2 2280 is again, an active air cooler featuring double copper heat pipes, connecting the 13x stack of aluminum alloy fins. It is also equipped with a 40 mm PWM fan for enhanced airflow, allowing for swift cooling and heat dissipation.
| Cooler | |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | M.2 2280 |
| TDP | N/A |
| Type | Air cooler (Active) |
| Material | Aluminum, Copper, Graphene |
| Fan | |
| Size | 40 mm |
| Speed | 7500 RPM (Max) |
| Noise | N/A |
| Airflow | N/A |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 75 mm |
| Width | 24.7 mm |
| Height | 62.3 mm |
| Weight | 83 grams |
Packaging and Accessories
The T-FORCE DARK AirFlow I comes in a standard packaging.
Scope of delivery are as follows:
- TEAMGROUP T-FORCE DARK AirFlow I SSD cooler
- Screw driver
- 2x Graphene pads
The SSD cooler comes with the bare minimum of tools and or accessories to get you started. Manual is printed inside the box for those who are wondering.
Design, Build and Connectivity
The T-FORCE DARK Airflow I appears to be a miniature CPU air cooler – because it is technically the same thing except for the CPU part. Again, this comes with two u-shaped copper heat-pipes, connecting the array of aluminum heatsinks.
Fan used is a 9-blade 40 mm brushless motor variant. It is capable of running at 7500 RPM, which is fast (and probably loud) but not exactly out of the norm for its size.
The base plate consists of a combination of copper and aluminum. It is coated with a material similar to that of the rest of the cooler. The brace is simply that – a brace, probably has minimal impact on cooling performance due to its gaping hole but we will see about that later. It would be beneficial to have more substance in this area, especially since some SSDs have double-sided NAND.
The installation process is simple. Begin by disassembling the Dark Airflow I (excluding the fan) using the provided screwdriver, then apply the graphene pads. Next, cautiously place the drive between the cooler and the brace, and tighten the screws evenly – then your setup is complete.
I’ve experienced no problems with clearance on older AM4 and AM5 platforms using large air coolers like the Noctua NH-U12A. However, I encountered an issue with the ASUS X870-I Gaming WiFi, where the socket appears to be positioned a millimeter closer to its M.2 slot area, causing the SSD cooler to contact with the CPU cooler. This issue does not occur with the last generation X670E-I Gaming WiFi motherboard. Not the cooler’s fault but you should know if you are planning to install this on a similar SFF motherboard.
Temperature
Helping us test the DARK Airflow I is the T-FORCE Z540 PCIe 5.0 SSD. Stock, this unit ran a bit hot on our read and write saturation test, featuring 57 °C at idle and 80 °C peak at load. With the SSD Cooler, it managed to reach a comfortable load temperature at 56 °C peak even with the fan turned off. With the fan turned on, the cooling performance improved further, as demonstrated in the results that follow.
Upon analyzing data from different fan speed settings, it has been determined that running the fan at 50% speed offers the best compromise for the cooling system, providing efficient thermal management and reduced noise levels.
Noise
As mentioned before, 50% fan speed is optimal and the maximum I would recommend for the DARK Airflow’s 40 mm fan. Any higher, and it becomes excessively loud with minimal thermal improvement. The highest recorded speed is 7458 RPM.
Final Thoughts
The T-FORCE DARK AirFlow I SSD cooler impressively combines effective thermal management with a user-friendly design tailored for high-speed PCIe 5.0 SSDs. With its double copper heat pipes and stacked aluminum alloy fins, this active cooling solution stands out in a market where heat dissipation is critical for maintaining performance and prolonging the lifespan of SSDs.
Testing the DARK AirFlow I alongside the T-FORCE Z540 PCIe 5.0 SSD revealed significant cooling benefits. At peak load, the SSD maintained a commendable temperature of 56 °C with the fan off, and even lower when the fan was activated, showcasing the cooler’s effectiveness – even at 25% fan speed. The ability to adjust fan speed allowed for a balance between performance and noise, with 50% speed emerging as the optimal setting for both effective cooling and minimal acoustic output.
As for installation, the process is straightforward, requiring minimal tools and effort. However, system builders should be mindful of potential clearance issues in compact setups, particularly with motherboards like the ASUS X870-I Gaming WiFi in conjunction with an air cooler. Another thing to note is the hole in its bracket that could possibly limit thermal performance with double-sided SSDs.
The cooler’s design is both practical and visually appealing, though its packaging and included accessories are somewhat basic. The graphene pads are welcome additions though as they certainly contributed to the cooler’s overall effectiveness.
The T-FORCE DARK AirFlow I SSD cooler is a good investment for those looking to enhance the thermal performance of their high-performance SSDs. It balances effective cooling capabilities with ease of installation and operational noise levels, making it suitable for a variety of builds.
Overall, this cooler offers a sub $35 solution for gamers and professionals alike, looking to maintain peak storage performance in demanding applications.
TEAMGROUP T-FORCE DARK AirFlow I SSD Cooler $34.99
Product Name: T-FORCE DARK AirFlow I
Product Description: The Dark Airflow 1 SSD cooler is a compact, high-performance cooling solution designed to dissipate heat from SSDs. It features a sleek aluminum heatsink with efficient airflow channels, ensuring optimal thermal management for sustained SSD performance during heavy workloads.
Brand: TEAMGROUP
Summary
The T-FORCE DARK AirFlow I SSD cooler provides efficient thermal management for high-speed PCIe 5.0 SSDs. It can be adjusted for optimal cooling and noise levels, offers straightforward installation, and features an appealing design.
Pros
- Maintains low SSD temperatures, even without a fan
- Straightforward installation, minimal tools required
- Dual graphene pads enhances thermal conductivity
Cons
- Potential clearance problems in certain compact setups with air coolers
- Really loud past its 50% fan speed
