Case Fan guards

[jtsoi]

I haven't built a new system in the last 5 years but I've been researching parts and to build a new one. I've noticed that a lot of builds don't use the finger guards on case fans anymore. What happen them all? Has anyone came up with a design that will help focus air flow like what Silverstone built into their Penetrator fan series? I also wonder why no one ever used them in the Mini ITX builds to keep stuff from falling into the fans with how compact stuff are in those cases.

[W-L]

Just now, jtsoi said:

I haven't built a new system in the last 5 years but I've been researching parts and to build a new one. I've noticed that a lot of builds don't use the finger guards on case fans anymore. What happen them all? Has anyone came up with a design that will help focus air flow like what Silverstone built into their Penetrator fan series?

Guards are mainly for cables more than anything else other than say if you use Delta fans. As for air channeling Noctua's NF-F12 have that incorporated into the design. 

[Alex Atkin UK]

I think its generally assumed anyone getting a good fan/case is going to do a decent job of cable management, so the shields are not required.

 

I do like to get air filters, or cases that already incorporate them, personally.  But that's not always an option if you want to see fancy LED lit fans.

[emosun]

i've never heard of it being called a case fan guard before i always called them grills. 

you can still buy them anywhere they didn't go anywhere so i'm not sure what you're asking

[LogicalDrm]

You can see them mainly in moded or purpose build PCs. Like ones with bottom mounted rads. But with modular PSUs and cable management being a thing, they aren't needed anymore. Or you can just get dust filter to act as similar manner.