This is a first – a fan with the leading edges of the impeller blades on the opposite side to normal ones. This is primarily done for a better view of “fans without stator struts” in cases with glass side panels. In addition, such an unconventional design also has quite clear and measurable advantages and disadvantages, also in terms of functional characteristics. Let’s take everything in turn.
Results: Frequency response of sound with a hexagonal grille
Measurements are performed in the TrueRTA application, which records sound in a range of 240 frequencies in the recorded range of 20–20,000 Hz. For the possibility of comparison across articles, we export the dominant frequency from the low (20–200 Hz), medium (201–2,000 Hz) and high (2,001–20,000 Hz) range to standard bar graphs.
However, for an even more detailed analysis of the sound expression, it is important to perceive the overall shape of the graph and the intensity of all frequencies/tones. If you don’t understand something in the graphs or tables below, you’ll find the answers to all your questions in this article. It explains how to read the measured data below correctly.
The vast majority of fan sound operates in the 70–7000 Hz band. You can virtually ignore frequencies above 7000 Hz, they reflect electromagnetic noise from the measurement chain. This (electromagnetic noise) also extends to frequencies below 70 Hz, although there is still aerodynamic noise at these frequencies. These bands (below 70 Hz and above 7 kHz) could be safely “cut out”, but we do not. Just in case one of the fans does have an anomaly that needs to be controlled and visualized.
| Fan | Dominant sound freq. and noise level, hexagonal grille@33 dBA | NF-F12 PWM | NF-A15 PWM | ||||
| Low range | Mid range | High range | |||||
| Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | ||
| Asus TUF Gaming TR120 (Reverse) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL113) | 50,4 | -79,2 | 380,5 | -79,9 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Arctic P14 Max rev. 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Arctic P14 PWM PST CO rev. 3 | 61,7 | -78,6 | 349,0 | -78,5 | 18245,6 | -90,8 | |
| Arctic P14 PWM PST rev. 4 | 65,4 | -76,1 | 369,7 | -81,7 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 4 (BL117) | 44,9 | -80,7 | 391,7 | -80,5 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Endorfy Stratus 140 PWM | 87,2 | -74,2 | 391,7 | -82,1 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| PCCooler CPS F5 R120 BK | 130,7 | -73,9 | 369,7 | -71,1 | 18245,6 | -90,9 | |
| Thermaltake Toughfan 14 Pro | 36,2 | -77,8 | 380,5 | -80,4 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Fractal Design Venturi HP-14 PWM | 36,2 | -77,8 | 380,5 | -79,5 | 19330,5 | -90,6 | |
| Seasonic MagFlow ARGB | 130,7 | -78,3 | 369,7 | -79,8 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 50,4 | -79,9 | 359,2 | -78,6 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108) | 50,4 | -80,1 | 380,5 | -78,7 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM | 103,7 | -81,5 | 380,5 | -81,5 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Phanteks PH-F120T30 | 47,6 | -80,7 | 369,7 | -77,8 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings White (BL101) | 50,4 | -81,7 | 369,7 | -83,0 | 19330,5 | -90,6 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 | 50,4 | -80,6 | 369,7 | -82,6 | 19330,5 | -90,6 | |
| Valkyrie X12 | 50,4 | -80,7 | 232,9 | -81,2 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm | 73,4 | -78,3 | 293,4 | -81,4 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST A-RGB | 50,4 | -79,9 | 329,4 | -73,8 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 Slim | 50,4 | -80,9 | 359,2 | -80,0 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Seasonic MagFlow 1225 PWM | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST rev. 1 | 77,7 | -72,1 | 391,7 | -76,8 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC | 41,8 | -74,4 | 1107,9 | -74,8 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Corsair AF120 RGB Elite | 50,4 | -69,6 | 339,0 | -73,3 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Enermax SquA RGB White | 123,4 | -82,4 | 369,7 | -74,5 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM | 89,8 | -78,6 | 359,2 | -75,5 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB | 89,8 | -79,6 | 369,7 | -76,3 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Arctic P12 Slim PWM PST | 100,8 | -84,3 | 369,7 | -74,2 | 18780,2 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099) | 44,9 | -75,7 | 320,0 | -77,7 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Fractal Design Prisma AL-14 PWM | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB | 58,2 | -81,0 | 380,5 | -78,5 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL075) | 100,8 | -80,3 | 380,5 | -80,0 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM | 63,5 | -83,1 | 391,7 | -75,2 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| DeepCool FK120 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Asus TUF Gaming TF120 | 67,3 | -86,0 | 349,0 | -76,6 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL072) | 89,8 | -84,0 | 349,0 | -77,8 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| DeepCool FC120 | 195,8 | -72,9 | 201,6 | -82,1 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Nidec Servo Gentle Typhoon D1225C (2150/12) | 50,4 | -78,9 | 369,7 | -86,1 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Shadow Wings 2 (BL085) | 50,4 | -80,3 | 349,0 | -75,7 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM | 50,4 | -81,2 | 369,7 | -81,0 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Corsair AF120 Elite (black) | 49,0 | -80,0 | 339,0 | -78,2 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Cooler Master MasterFan SF120M | 41,8 | -72,3 | 380,5 | -83,1 | 4305,4 | -90,7 | |
| Akasa Alucia SC12 | 41,8 | -80,9 | 369,7 | -80,6 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL098) | 47,6 | -75,2 | 329,4 | -74,9 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Thermalright X-Silent 120 | 50,4 | -77,7 | 339 | -76,0 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM | 59,9 | -78,7 | 349,0 | -69,8 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 3 (BL066) | 49,0 | 79,3 | 329,4 | 78,9 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Gelid Zodiac | 50,4 | -81,0 | 339,0 | -78,7 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM | 38,9 | -75,4 | 339,0 | -79,5 | 18780,243 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 2 (BL039) | 47,6 | -79,7 | 380,5 | -81,2 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 120 ARGB | 146,7 | -82,0 | 369,7 | -82,0 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Arctic BioniX P120 A-RGB | 169,5 | -84,7 | 329,4 | -70,5 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Akasa OTTO SF12 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB | 47,6 | -82,0 | 1076,3 | -81,9 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Alphacool SL-15 PWM | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Arctic BioniX F120 | 169,5 | -84,7 | 329,4 | -70,5 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| SilverStone SST-AP123 | SilverStone SST-AP123 | 58,2 | -80,8 | 302,0 | -77,3 | 19897,0 | -90,8 |
| Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM | 100,8 | -81,6 | 329,4 | -69,8 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM | 100,8 | -82,7 | 369,7 | -79,9 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| MSI MEG Silent Gale P12 | 100,8 | -81,2 | 369,7 | -80,3 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Asus ROG Strix XF120 | 38,9 | -79,7 | 349,0 | -72,4 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| Akasa Vegas X7 | 100,8 | -85,3 | 359,2 | -80,3 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Reeven Coldwing 12 | 92,4 | -79,8 | 369,7 | -79,7 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| Reeven Kiran | 97,9 | -84,4 | 391,7 | -77,8 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro 120 PWM | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro Corona RGB 120 | 92,4 | -83,0 | 369,7 | -77,9 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| SilverStone SST-AP121 | 113,1 | -80,9 | 246,8 | -84,0 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| SilverStone SST-FQ121 | 38,9 | -76,9 | 1522,2 | -81,7 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Xigmatek XLF-F1256 | 63,5 | -83,3 | 380,5 | -78,8 | 19897,0 | -90,9 |
| Fan | Dominant sound freq. and noise level, hexagonal grille@39 dBA | NF-F12 PWM | NF-A15 PWM | ||||
| Low range | Mid range | High range | |||||
| Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | ||
| Asus TUF Gaming TR120 (Reverse) | 50,4 | -80,9 | 349,0 | -66,8 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL113) | 130,7 | -74,9 | 391,7 | -69,9 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Arctic P14 Max rev. 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Arctic P14 PWM PST CO rev. 3 | 84,8 | -69,8 | 369,7 | -74,7 | 18780,2 | -90,7 | |
| Arctic P14 PWM PST rev. 4 | 84,8 | -69,9 | 339,0 | -68,7 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 4 (BL117) | 103,7 | -75,8 | 415,0 | -68,7 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Endorfy Stratus 140 PWM | 119,9 | -67,3 | 391,7 | -73,7 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| PCCooler CPS F5 R120 BK | 130,7 | -73,9 | 369,7 | -71,1 | 18245,6 | -90,9 | |
| Thermaltake Toughfan 14 Pro | 50,4 | -77,1 | 380,5 | -71,9 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Fractal Design Venturi HP-14 PWM | 41,8 | -73,1 | 369,7 | -64,8 | 19897,0 | -91,0 | |
| Seasonic MagFlow ARGB | 20,6 | -74,2 | 369,7 | -72,8 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 75,5 | -75,7 | 391,7 | -68,7 | 18245,6 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108) | 50,4 | -78,7 | 339,0 | -68,7 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM | 123,4 | -77,7 | 369,7 | -69,7 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Phanteks PH-F120T30 | 50,4 | -80,4 | 369,7 | -74,0 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings White (BL101) | 151,0 | -80,5 | 339,0 | -68,8 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 | 50,4 | -79,8 | 369,7 | -73,4 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Valkyrie X12 | 160,0 | -77,3 | 320,0 | -70,4 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm | 89,8 | -72,9 | 359,2 | -71,0 | 18245,6 | -91,0 | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST A-RGB | 89,8 | -77,2 | 369,7 | -74,7 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 Slim | 119,9 | -79,9 | 479,5 | -72,9 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Seasonic MagFlow 1225 PWM | 123,4 | -77,7 | 380,5 | -72,5 | 19897,0 | -90,6 | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST rev. 1 | 103,7 | -66,5 | 415,0 | -67,8 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC | 55,0 | -78,9 | 369,7 | -74,7 | 18780,2 | -90,7 | |
| Corsair AF120 RGB Elite | 146,7 | -71,6 | 339,0 | -72,7 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Enermax SquA RGB White | 119,9 | -78,9 | 369,7 | -68,4 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM | 119,9 | -77,2 | 380,5 | -72,1 | 18245,6 | -91,0 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB | 123,4 | -75,6 | 391,7 | -70,4 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Arctic P12 Slim PWM PST | 89,8 | -81,7 | 380,5 | -67,4 | 18780,2 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099) | 103,7 | -76,8 | 415,0 | -69,5 | 2347,5 | -90,6 | |
| Fractal Design Prisma AL-14 PWM | 130,7 | -71,5 | 380,5 | -67,5 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB | 58,2 | -82,6 | 359,2 | -68,5 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL075) | 130,7 | -79,9 | 452,5 | -74,7 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM | 47,6 | -71,2 | 427,1 | -72,4 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| DeepCool FK120 | 130,7 | -76,5 | 293,4 | -73,4 | 18780,2 | -91,1 | |
| Asus TUF Gaming TF120 | 50,4 | -81,1 | 349,0 | -67,8 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL072) | 130,7 | -78,6 | 697,9 | -72,4 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| DeepCool FC120 | 190,3 | -75,8 | 570,2 | -74,8 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Nidec Servo Gentle Typhoon D1225C (2150/12) | 151,0 | -72,5 | 302,0 | -64,7 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Shadow Wings 2 (BL085) | 71,3 | -85,6 | 339,0 | -72,8 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM | 20,3 | -78,4 | 369,7 | -72,3 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Corsair AF120 Elite (black) | 138,5 | -73,2 | 369,7 | -73,5 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Cooler Master MasterFan SF120M | 95,1 | -79,1 | 380,5 | -72,7 | 4305,4 | -89,6 | |
| Akasa Alucia SC12 | 50,4 | -80,5 | 369,7 | -72,6 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL098) | 155,4 | -78,6 | 339,0 | -71,3 | 2712,2 | -87,9 | |
| Thermalright X-Silent | 89,8 | -77,8 | 359,2 | -68,8 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM | 50,4 | -82,7 | 380,5 | -68,7 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 3 (BL066) | BeQuiet! Silent Wings 3 (BL066) | 58,2 | -78,5 | 339,0 | -73,2 | 18780,2 | -90,9 |
| Gelid Zodiac | 50,4 | -80,5 | 380,5 | -73,2 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM | 50,4 | -80,4 | 320,0 | -65,3 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 2 (BL039) | 59,9 | -79,0 | 369,7 | -73,3 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 120 ARGB | 138,5 | -81,5 | 369,7 | -73,2 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Arctic BioniX P120 A-RGB | 151,0 | -82,0 | 219,8 | -62,2 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Akasa OTTO SF12 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB | 130,7 | -81,8 | 369,7 | -75,4 | 2152,7 | -90,4 | |
| Alphacool SL-15 PWM | 146,7 | -76,8 | 369,7 | -73,2 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| Arctic BioniX F120 | 47,6 | -82,0 | 369,7 | -72,0 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| SilverStone SST-AP123 | SilverStone SST-AP123 | 100,8 | -80,7 | 339,0 | -73,4 | 18780,2 | -90,9 |
| Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM | 116,5 | -76,8 | 339,0 | -69,4 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM | 146,7 | -78,0 | 586,9 | -72,7 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| MSI MEG Silent Gale P12 | 164,7 | -80,6 | 339,0 | -71,1 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Asus ROG Strix XF120 | Asus ROG Strix XF120 | 92,4 | -77,5 | 369,7 | -70,1 | 19330,5 | -91,2 |
| Akasa Vegas X7 | 31,3 | -84,3 | 369,7 | -74,3 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Reeven Coldwing 12 | 123,4 | -71,2 | 380,5 | -71,3 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Reeven Kiran | 127,0 | -77,7 | 380,5 | -73,4 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro 120 PWM | 63,5 | -83,4 | 380,5 | -74,0 | 2347,5 | -83,8 | |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro Corona RGB 120 | 134,5 | -72,0 | 369,7 | -75,1 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| SilverStone SST-AP121 | 53,4 | -81,9 | 380,5 | -70,8 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| SilverStone SST-FQ121 | 41,8 | -78,9 | 369,7 | -75,0 | 19330,5 | -91,1 | |
| Xigmatek XLF-F1256 | 50,4 | -70,3 | 246,8 | -72,7 | 19897,0 | -90,9 |
| Fan | Dominant sound freq. and noise level, hexagonal grille@45 dBA | NF-F12 PWM | NF-A15 PWM | ||||
| Low range | Mid range | High range | |||||
| Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | ||
| Asus TUF Gaming TR120 (Reverse) | 116,5 | -76,2 | 586,9 | -70,9 | 19330,5 | -90,6 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL113) | 164,7 | -74,5 | 493,5 | -68,1 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Arctic P14 Max rev. 1 | Arctic P14 Max rev. 1 | 92,4 | -73,2 | 369,7 | -63,2 | 18780,2 | -90,7 |
| Arctic P14 PWM PST CO rev. 3 | 106,8 | -67,5 | 369,7 | -70,1 | 5120,0 | -90,8 | |
| Arctic P14 PWM PST rev. 4 | 106,8 | -63,9 | 349,0 | -68,4 | 18245,6 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 4 (BL117) | 134,5 | -67,7 | 380,5 | -68,0 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Endorfy Stratus 140 PWM | 151,0 | -60,8 | 604,1 | -66,5 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| PCCooler CPS F5 R120 BK | 169,5 | -72,8 | 339,0 | -62,6 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| Thermaltake Toughfan 14 Pro | 20,6 | -72,9 | 380,5 | -66,5 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Fractal Design Venturi HP-14 PWM | 103,7 | -74,1 | 380,5 | -69,0 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Seasonic MagFlow ARGB | 130,7 | -61,2 | 219,8 | -67,8 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 92,4 | -71,9 | 369,7 | -65,9 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108) | 109,9 | -77,1 | 380,5 | -67,5 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM | 164,7 | -71,4 | 380,5 | -68.1 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Phanteks PH-F120T30 | 151,0 | -69,4 | 302,0 | -72,7 | 2873,5 | -88,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings White (BL101) | 138,5 | -79,0 | 854,3 | -67,9 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 | 130,7 | -75,7 | 369,7 | -69,4 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Valkyrie X12 | 20,9 | -74,9 | 359,2 | -65,3 | 18780,2 | -90,7 | |
| Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm | 119,9 | -65,7 | 380,5 | -69,7 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST A-RGB | 116,5 | -71,1 | 465,8 | -70,9 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 Slim | 146,7 | -72,5 | 586,9 | -63,6 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Seasonic MagFlow 1225 PWM | 151,0 | -72,4 | 403,2 | -69,5 | 19897,0 | -90,6 | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST rev. 1 | 123,4 | -59,6 | 380,5 | -67,8 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC | 151,0 | -75,5 | 349,0 | -65,1 | 18245,6 | -91,0 | |
| Corsair AF120 RGB Elite | 179,6 | -65,2 | 359,2 | -65,9 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Enermax SquA RGB White | 134,5 | -72,6 | 621,8 | -68,8 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM | 155,4 | -65,1 | 621,8 | -69,1 | 2280,7 | -87,5 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB | 155,4 | -66,6 | 621,8 | -68,2 | 2487,1 | -87,5 | |
| Arctic P12 Slim PWM PST | 22,8 | -65,6 | 369,7 | -69,3 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099) | 138,5 | -68,0 | 380,5 | -67,3 | 2416,3 | -86,1 | |
| Fractal Design Prisma AL-14 PWM | 169,5 | -72,5 | 403,2 | -61,9 | 7240,8 | -90,3 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB | 130,7 | -80,3 | 678,1 | -65,7 | 2487,1 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL075) | 184,9 | -77,1 | 369,7 | -68,2 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM | 103,7 | -77,5 | 380,5 | -68,7 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| DeepCool FK120 | 127,0 | -78,1 | 718,4 | -66,0 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Asus TUF Gaming TF120 | 106,8 | -78,0 | 369,7 | -66,8 | 19897,0 | -91,1 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL072) | 142,5 | -69,8 | 718,4 | -65,6 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| DeepCool FC120 | 169,5 | -75,0 | 339,0 | -67,4 | 2215,8 | -87,1 | |
| Nidec Servo Gentle Typhoon D1225C (2150/12) | 179,6 | -69,3 | 359,2 | -64,5 | 6267,2 | -90,2 | |
| BeQuiet! Shadow Wings 2 (BL085) | 130,7 | -77,6 | 369,7 | -69,3 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM | 23,1 | -72,6 | 640,0 | -66,1 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Corsair AF120 Elite (black) | 179,6 | -69,1 | 369,7 | -67,5 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Cooler Master MasterFan SF120M | 119,9 | -74,3 | 380,5 | -67,9 | 4182,8 | -87,8 | |
| Akasa Alucia SC12 | 151,0 | -76,6 | 369,7 | -67,2 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL098) | 190,3 | -74,5 | 339,0 | -62,4 | 2791,7 | -83,7 | |
| Thermalright X-Silent 120 | 119,9 | -73,4 | 369,7 | -69,5 | 4974,2 | -88,6 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM | 119,9 | -78,5 | 586,9 | -69,3 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 3 (BL066) | 127,0 | -68,7 | 391,7 | -67,2 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| Gelid Zodiac | 127,0 | -71,9 | 380,5 | -64,3 | 19330,5 | -91,1 | |
| Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM | 123,4 | -75,0 | 1566,8 | -76,7 | 2215,8 | -89,6 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 2 (BL039) | 75,5 | -78,2 | 369,7 | -69,9 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 120 ARGB | 164,7 | -78,7 | 678,1 | -66,8 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| Arctic BioniX P120 A-RGB | 130,7 | -70,6 | 219,8 | -62,2 | 18780,2 | -90,7 | |
| Akasa OTTO SF12 | 160,0 | -72,4 | 369,7 | -66,4 | 4431,5 | -88,3 | |
| Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB | 127,0 | -74,1 | 380,5 | -66,0 | 6267,2 | -90,8 | |
| Alphacool SL-15 PWM | 134,5 | -72,2 | 369,7 | -66,7 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Arctic BioniX F120 | 58,2 | -78,7 | 369,7 | -68,3 | 18780,2 | -90,7 | |
| SilverStone SST-AP123 | SilverStone SST-AP123 | 130,7 | -79,2 | 339,0 | -69,6 | 18780,2 | -90,9 |
| Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM | 142,5 | -72,8 | 586,9 | -65,0 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM | 174,5 | -75,1 | 349,0 | -62,1 | 2957,7 | -90,3 | |
| MSI MEG Silent Gale P12 | 130,7 | -72,7 | 415,0 | -67,2 | 2487,1 | -89,3 | |
| Asus ROG Strix XF120 | Asus ROG Strix XF120 | 119,9 | -73,4 | 604,1 | -69,6 | 19330,5 | -90,9 |
| Akasa Vegas X7 | 33,6 | -81,5 | 427,1 | -70,2 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Reeven Coldwing 12 | 160,0 | -64,7 | 369,7 | -67,7 | 19897,0 | -91,0 | |
| Reeven Kiran | 155,4 | -73,7 | 369,7 | -69,7 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro 120 PWM | 130,7 | -77,8 | 369,7 | -68,1 | 4431,5 | -90,1 | |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro Corona RGB 120 | 20,3 | -64,8 | 369,7 | -73,0 | 3044,4 | -89,2 | |
| SilverStone SST-AP121 | 130,7 | -78,0 | 570,2 | -64,9 | 18780,2 | -91,2 | |
| SilverStone SST-FQ121 | 169,5 | -64,4 | 246,8 | -77,4 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Xigmatek XLF-F1256 | 58,2 | -74,2 | 678,0 | -63,8 | 19330,5 | -90,9 |
Why is there a missing value sometimes? There may be more reasons. Usually it is because the fan could not be adjusted to the target noise level. Some have a higher minimum speed (or the speed is low, but the motor is too noisy) or it is a slower fan that will not reach the higher decibels. But the results in the graphs are also missing if the impeller is brushing against the nylon filter mesh. In that case, we evaluate this combination as incompatible. And zero in the graphs is naturally also in situations where we measure 0.00. This is a common occurrence at extremely low speeds with obstructions or within vibration measurements.
Any plans for tests of the non-reverse variant, and also spacers (like Noctua NA-IS1)? To me they would be the logical next steps for topics raised in this test.
We do not plan to test the standard variants of TR120 fans in the near future. In the long run, the basic plan remains the same – we have to compare all the fans that exist, haha. Only time will tell where we will really end up. 🙂
We’ve had the NA-IS1 frames in our editorial office since their introduction. Of course it would be really useful to get to them and one day it will come. I still can’t make space for them – there is always something “more important”.
Always looking forward to your tests, whatever they are🙂
One additional question though, could you further elaborate what’s going on with the hexagonal grille tests for this fan? First time I’ve seen a fan that somehow has parts of the data missing in the middle (33 and 36 missing, but not 31 and 39). You say unstable tonal peaks, so is the RPM unstable at those noise levels, or is it due to something else?
I think it’s happened before. But maybe it was for the quietest or loudest mode of normalised noise and then it can be attributed to another reason? Anyway, I will explain.
It is important to realize how we bring the fans to the “same noise level”. It’s not like we set the fan somehow and it’s stable at, say, 36 dBA. It’s that we set the fan so that the average of 30 samples ends up at 36 dBA. The interval of these samples can be in the range of 35,9–36,1 dBA during the measurements, for example, but possibly also in a much wider range, for example 32–38 dBA, and now I am not exaggerating. This latter case is similar to trying to get the TR120 into the 33 and 36 dBA modes, which failed. With no PWM setting (nor after very fine tuning of the pulse strength with voltage in single digits of mV), we could not set the fan on the grille so that the average of 30 samples corresponds to 33 dBA and 36 dBA, respectively. It was always more or less, i.e. not what was required. This is a topic that certainly makes sense to look at in more detail. Especially after Noctua opened this “Beat frequency theory” topic, which is a good basis for understanding the issue by a wider than very narrow spectrum of users.
–“Beat frequency theory”
…well, already during the 1st world war the company on the bridge had to stop marching in order not to shake the bridge.
Wave interferance
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_interference
In acoustic
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_(acoustics)
Thanks for your detailed explanation. The only other time I have heard the need of averaging noise samples is from ThermalLeft. What’s the sampling rate you’re using?
This phenomenon is definitely worth looking into some day, especially for instances like this where large deviations occur.
The sampling rate of the Reed R8080 is 1s. The settings for the individual modes normalized according to a fixed noise level are based on the arithmetic mean of a 30-second recording. This must always be exactly 31.0; 33.0; 36.0; 39.0; 42.0 or 45.0 dBA after rounding.