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.
Measurement of static pressure…
Finally, it is time to move further down the tunnel a bit. Just behind the fan is a static pressure sensing probe. Its position has been chosen with maximum measurement efficiency in mind. In other words, the sensors are placed at the points of highest pressure (although this is virtually the same everywhere in the unconstrained part of the tunnel).
The Fieldpiece ASP2, which is connected to the Fieldpiece SDMN5 manometer, is used to measure the static pressure in the tunnel. The latter also allows measurements in millimetres of water column, but we measure in millibars. This is a more finely resolved base unit for this meter. And only from there we convert the measured values into mm H2O to allow easy comparison with what the manufacturers state.
While we wrote when measuring noise levels that our results could not be compared with the parameters, that is no longer the case here. As long as the fan manufacturers do not embellish the parameters, they should quote approximately the same pressure values as our tests show. The most significant deviations can only arise at the level of varying accuracy of the measuring instruments, but these are negligible percentages.
The greater the difference between the manufacturer’s claimed values and ours, the less the specifications correspond to reality. If the claimed values are significantly higher, it is certainly an intention to artificially give an advantage to the fans on the market. However, if the manufacturer quotes a lower pressure value than we do, it points to something else. Namely, a weaker tightness of the measuring environment. The less tight the tunnel is, the lower the pressure you naturally measure. This is one of the things we tuned for an extremely long time, but in the end we ironed out all the weak spots. Whether it’s the passage for the probe itself, the flanges around the anemometer, even the anemometer frame itself, which is made up of two parts, needed to be sealed in the middle. Finally, the flap at the tunnel outlet must also be perfectly tight. That’s because static pressure has to be measured in zero airflow.
But there is one thing that often lowers the pressure of the fans a bit. And that’s protruding anti-vibration pads in the corners or otherwise protruding corners. In other words, when the fan doesn’t fit perfectly to the mounting frame at the inlet, and there are small gaps around the perimeter, that also affects what you measure. But we have not gone into this because it is already a quality feature of the fan. In the same way, it will “stand out” and perform a bit weaker than it has the potential to do with better workmanship, even after application by the end user.
Here we have some direct comparisons with the predecessor (filter, grille, radiator). I think the A‑RGB Pros are a good choice as system fans. For radiators, I don’t think so.
Many thanks! 🙂
Do you think it deserves a Top Notch award?
While the static pressure is over the roof, the actual airflow compared to the other new RGB fan is comparable at best. On one hand, the airflow w/o obstacle and on hexagonal grid lags significantly behind the Momentum RGB, on the other hand, it beats it on plastic filter (due to high static pressure). The P12 Pro is slightly better with radiators, but not far from the Momentum RGB. However, the potential collision with the nylon dust filter prevents it from achieving such a rare award on this site.
At least, that my view, why Ľubo gives it the “Smurt buy” award, where it clearly dominates…although he certainly considered also the “top-notch” award, but…. 😉
–“… “Smurt buy” award, where it clearly dominates…
I overdid it… 😀
…but I was thinking among RGB fans …and taking static pressure into account 😉
I did consider giving it the “Top-notch” award, but in my opinion, the Arctic P12 Pro A-RGB has shortcomings in other areas that hold it back. Sure, it’s excellent in terms of aerodynamics, but it’s still a fan with clear signs of manufacturing compromises. I believe awarding it a more prestigious title like “Top-notch” would be unfair — for example, to a fan like the FD Momentum 12 RGB.