Lian Li already makes some of the best‑looking ARGB fans on the market, but today the company is adding to the roster with the new UNI FAN FLEX series, introducing updated SL FLEX and CL FLEX models.

The new SL FLEX and CL FLEX fans form the entry point to Lian Li’s wireless ecosystem, connecting through the updated FLEX Receiver. The receiver handles power via a standard 4‑pin PWM header and communicates wirelessly through L‑Connect 3, allowing users to control lighting and fan curves without additional cabling. It also supports a 5V 3‑pin ARGB mode for those who prefer motherboard‑controlled lighting. Each receiver can run up to four fans and is backward compatible with previous CL Wireless models.

The UNI FAN SL FLEX receives the biggest visual update, replacing its aluminium side plates with dual‑sided infinity‑mirror lighting. It features two lighting zones with 52 LEDs and operates at up to 2000 RPM, delivering 66.5CFM of airflow, 2.5mmH2O of static pressure and 29dBA. Standard and reverse‑airflow versions are available in both black and white.

The CL FLEX retains its established design but now ships with the FLEX Receiver for expanded control options. It reaches up to 2100 RPM and pushes 77.34CFM at 2.52mmH2O, making it the higher‑airflow option in the FLEX family. Like the SL FLEX, it comes in standard and reverse‑airflow variants.

Triple‑fan packs include the L‑Wireless Sync Controller, supporting up to 10 connected devices rather than four. The UNI FAN SL FLEX and CL FLEX are available starting today, priced at $21.99 / $69.99 for SL FLEX single / triple packs and $16.99 / $54.99 for CL FLEX single or triple packs.

KitGuru Says: Lian Li’s UNI FAN lineup has been hugely popular for both aesthetics and ease of installation. The new FLEX models look set to continue that trend, allowing PC builders to cut down on cables even further. 

Fractal has introduced the Dynamic 3 series fans, a new line of PWM cooling fans for mainstream and gaming desktop systems. Available in both 120mm and 140mm sizes, the series includes standard airflow, reverse airflow, ARGB, and non-RGB options.

The Dynamic 3 fans feature rifle bearings and swept blades designed for stable rotation and acoustic control. The range offers a wide selection of options, with black and white colourways across specific models, along with moulded centre caps and integrated daisy-chainable cabling to simplify cable tracking during multiple fan installations. The RGB-equipped variants support ARGB Gen 2 connectivity for customised lighting configurations.

The inclusion of reverse-airflow variants allows system builders to configure intake and exhaust positions while maintaining a uniform visual orientation, specifically targeting showcase layouts and dual-chamber desktop cases.

The Dynamic 3 fan series is priced according to the following configurations:

• Dynamic 3 12 Black: $11.99
• Dynamic 3 12 Reverse Black / White: $11.99
• Dynamic 3 14 Black: $13.99
• Dynamic 3 12 RGB Black / White: $14.99
• Dynamic 3 12 Reverse RGB Black / White: $14.99
• Dynamic 3 14 RGB Black / White: $16.99
• Dynamic 3 12 RGB 3-Pack Black: $39.99
• Dynamic 3 14 RGB 3-Pack Black: $44.99

KitGuru says: On the market for a set of PC fans? Interested in the new Dynamic 3 from Fractal?

Noctua has published a technical blog detailing why chromax.black versions of its fans often launch months or years after the standard brown and beige models. The company attributes these delays to the complex engineering required when introducing new pigments into the injection moulding process, which can alter material properties and disrupt the tolerances of its designs.

According to Noctua, its fans are designed with extremely tight tip clearances between the impeller and the frame, measuring approximately 0.5mm for 120mm fans and 0.7mm for 140mm fans. The company states that introducing third-party pigments can disrupt the structure of its Sterrox liquid-crystal polymer (LCP). Noctua claims that pigment particles possess unique characteristics that affect the behavior of the molten plastic during injection moulding, potentially leading to microscopic structural changes.

The manufacturer compares the process to the precision required in Formula 1 engineering rather than a simple aesthetic change. These material variations reportedly impact the results of Noctua's lab performance testing, necessitating extensive re-evaluation to ensure the black versions match the performance of the original designs.

Noctua confirmed it is currently preparing the chromax.black version of the NF-A12x25 G2, scheduled for release approximately 10 months after the launch of the original model. By comparison, the first-generation NF-A12x25 chromax.black took three years to reach the market, a delay the company attributed to a combination of engineering hurdles and pandemic-related logistical issues.

KitGuru says: Have you ever wondered why the Noctua chromax.black fans take so much longer to release?