What is the difference between a blower cooler and a fan cooler?

Blower coolers and fan coolers are two types of cooling solutions commonly used in computer hardware, particularly for graphics cards (GPUs) and central processing units (CPUs). While both serve the same purpose of dissipating heat generated by these components, they differ in design and functionality.

Fan coolers feature one or more axial fans mounted on a heatsink. These fans draw air through the heatsink and expel it out of the case, facilitating heat dissipation.

Fan coolers generate airflow across the heatsink in a directional manner, typically parallel to the plane of the graphics card or CPU.

Effectiveness: Fan coolers are generally effective for cooling components with moderate heat output. They rely on the airflow generated by the fan(s) to carry heat away from the heatsink.

Blower coolers consist of a radial fan enclosed in a shroud-like housing. This fan sucks in air from within the case, passes it through the heatsink, and expels it out of the rear of the cooler.

Airflow: Blower coolers create a focused, high-pressure airflow that is directed perpendicular to the plane of the graphics card or CPU. This design helps in efficiently exhausting hot air out of the case.

Effectiveness: Blower coolers are particularly suitable for compact or crowded cases with limited airflow. They excel in expelling hot air directly out of the case, preventing it from recirculating and potentially raising the overall system temperature.

The main differences between blower coolers and fan coolers lie in their design and airflow characteristics. Fan coolers utilize axial fans to generate airflow across the heatsink, while blower coolers employ radial fans to create focused airflow for efficient heat expulsion. The choice between the two depends on factors such as system configuration, case airflow, and thermal requirements.