Arctic P12 Pro A-RGB: The Benchmark for Illuminated Fans

You already know the impressive features of the new aerodynamic design of Arctic’s 7-blade fans from our earlier tests. Now we add the results for the ARGB LED versions (P12 Pro A-RGB), which are naturally quite similar, but also show certain differences due to a more light-conductive material. That’s why it’s worth taking another look. The title of this review already hints at where things are heading.

Evaluation

Made for radiators. Whether through a thinner or thicker radiator, the top-tier airflow stands out. Based on the results, we can confidently say we haven’t yet tested a more affordable 120 mm illuminated fan with better performance. And quite a few fans have already made it into our database… But among them, the Arctic P12 Pro A-RGB clearly ranks as the most attractive. That’s thanks to a combination of high airflow, high static pressure, and an impressively smooth acoustic profile. No harsh tonal peaks disrupt the sound, so it’s unlikely to bother sensitive users.

Vibration levels are low, too. In fact, both at maximum speeds (around 3000 RPM) and at 1110 RPM, vibration levels are lower than those of the P12 Pro variant. Intergenerational improvements have led to a drop in vibration due to shorter blades, and when compared to the non-illuminated model, the A-RGB version likely benefits from a softer impeller material that more effectively absorbs vibrations before they reach the frame. This reduces the chance of secondary noise caused by mechanical vibration.

To expand on the acoustics: Tonal peaks can stem from multiple sources, including air turbulence or the way vibration and airflow interact—since the impeller always generates some vibration. For example, the acoustic profile when mounted on a grille is noisier, where at medium and lower speeds, sound frequencies in the 320–350 Hz range become more pronounced, causing a noticeable “hum.” As a result, airflow measurements in this grille scenario may fall further behind those of the P12 Pro, which also gets louder in that frequency band, but not quite as much as the P12 Pro A-RGB. That doesn’t mean the fan will necessarily hum when used with a grille in your setup. The outcome depends on grille design and spacing. The farther you place the fan from the grille, the quieter it will be.

Results with a plastic dust filter are also excellent, making the P12 Pro A-RGB a compelling choice as a case fan, too. But its illumination really shines when used on radiators—where it won’t be blocked. This is especially true with thick radiators, where the results are truly impressive. It makes sense for the P12 Pro A-RGB to dominate in this use case, as Arctic itself uses it in its Liquid Freezer III Pro (A-RGB) coolers, which feature thicker radiators.

The illumination is really intense when it comes to brightness. The entire impeller lights up, so if this is a feature you value, the P12 Pro A-RGB scores major points. At the same time, brightness can be dimmed to a level that won’t disturb you, even at night. Arctic has ensured there’s a wide brightness adjustment range here, too.

And the speed control range is just as broad. On one end, the fan can hit very high RPMs to deliver high airflow (naturally, this comes with high noise output—that’s the trade-off), but it also runs quietly at low speeds. Even at low RPMs, the P12 Pro A-RGB remains stable, and its motor stays pleasantly quiet. The absence of distracting non-aerodynamic noises is further supported by its very attractive placement in the lowest “31 dBA” mode when used on a radiator.

So yes, Arctic has done an outstanding job with the P12 Pro A-RGB as well. We can confidently recommend it—“Smart buy!”

English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš

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