Fluid dynamic coolers safe to use or can they leak?

[ironk]

I am seeing a lot of heatsink that have "Hydro" or "Fluid" dynamic bearing in them. Are these safe to use or should I stick to ball bearing? I am thinking maybe the fluid inside the Hydro will eventually leak and damage the surroundings, but then again, its getting difficult to find a ball bearing cooler (AM3+ mobo).

 

[dma0991]

They are safe to use. The term fluid is usually referred to an oil based lubricant, which is usually non conductive and in such small amount that it'll hardly be called a leak. Regardless of bearing type, there will be some form of lubricant used. Even ball bearings need grease to run smoothly.

 

[MongGrel]

Prefer them over ball bearing myself.

 

[ironk]

alright, cool. Sounds like it will be alright.

 

[DrDoug]

FDB fans work on the same principle as the crankshaft in a car (sans oil pump). The shaft of the fan rides on a hydrodynamic wedge of lubricant so there is no metal-to-metal contact while in operation. As with a crankshaft in a car, the most wear happens on cold starts when the shaft is resting against the inner surface it rides on. Once up to speed there is no metal-to-metal contact. Once the cold start wear becomes significant enough the 'wedge' won't be able to be sustained and the fan will quickly fail.

I prefer FDB fans over ball or sleeve bearing types.