Results: Frequency response of sound with a radiator
The first Fluctus 120 PWM fans marked a great qualitative progress in SilentiumPC production (now Endorfy). Nevertheless, they had their flaws, which the developers are gradually eliminating and, based on the measurement results, the newer 140 mm Fluctus can be said to be a clear improvement. The Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB stands out nicely from other fans in its price category.
Results: Frequency response of sound with a radiator
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 sound of the 120 and 140 mm fans for the most part operates in the 70–700 Hz band. The bearings and motor operate between 1000 and 2500 Hz. Higher frequencies can be amplified by grilles or plastic filters (typically with hissing). Ignore the frequencies above 7000 Hz, these reflect electromagnetic noise from the measurement chain. This (electromagnetic noise) partially interferes with frequencies below 70 Hz as well, although there is still aerodynamic noise at these frequencies.
Note: For these measurements a thinner radiator of 28 mm is used. Such thickness (and restrictiveness with FPI 22) is common in practice (also within AIO coolers).
| Fan | Dominant sound freq. and noise level, thinner rad@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] | ||
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB | 109,9 | -75,1 | 391,7 | -78,5 | 18245,6 | -91,0 | |
| Arctic P12 Slim PWM PST | 123,4 | -73,5 | 369,7 | -82,9 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099) | 55,0 | -83,4 | 201,6 | -78,6 | 2416,3 | -88,1 | |
| Fractal Design Prisma AL-14 PWM | 73,4 | -72,0 | 213,6 | -80,6 | 2031,9 | -89,6 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB | 89,8 | -75,7 | 369,7 | -81,4 | 18780,2 | -90,6 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL075) | 138,5 | -69,2 | 246,8 | -81,2 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM | 47,6 | -70,9 | 380,5 | -80,0 | 18245,6 | -91,0 | |
| DeepCool FK120 | 138,5 | -78,7 | 246,8 | -76,2 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Asus TUF Gaming TF120 | 100,8 | -78,3 | 339,0 | -79,7 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL072) | 116,5 | -77,5 | 339,0 | -81,6 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| DeepCool FC120 | 130,7 | -75,1 | 201,6 | -83,3 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Nidec Servo Gentle Typhoon D1225C (2150/12) | 138,5 | -79,0 | 678,1 | -75,8 | 19330,5 | -90,6 | |
| BeQuiet! Shadow Wings 2 (BL085) | 151,0 | -80,6 | 369,7 | -80,7 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM | 50,4 | -81,2 | 329,4 | -77,5 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| Corsair AF120 Elite (black) | 138,5 | -77,3 | 339,0 | -84,3 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Cooler Master MasterFan SF120M | 95,1 | -80,2 | 190,3 | -85,7 | 4063,7 | -84,7 | |
| Akasa Alucia SC12 | 50,4 | -80,0 | 1522,2 | -83,4 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL098) | 155,4 | -78,8 | 339,0 | -83,5 | 2791,7 | -89,2 | |
| Thermalright X-Silent 120 | 50,4 | -78,3 | 310,9 | -85,5 | 2416,3 | -86,0 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM | 50,4 | -78,6 | 293,4 | -81,5 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 3 (BL066) | 50,4 | -79,8 | 213,6 | -82,1 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Gelid Zodiac | 50,4 | -79,5 | 246,8 | -80,9 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM | 36,2 | -72,8 | 1566,8 | -85,2 | 2215,8 | -86,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 2 (BL039) | 50,4 | -81,3 | 369,7 | -82,8 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 120 ARGB | 59,9 | -77,4 | 339,0 | -81,5 | 19897,0 | -91,0 | |
| Arctic BioniX P120 A-RGB | 109,9 | -78,7 | 369,7 | -85,0 | 19897,0 | -91,1 | |
| Akasa OTTO SF12 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB | 47,6 | -78,3 | 604,1 | -82,9 | 18780,2 | -90,7 | |
| Alphacool SL-15 PWM | 97,9 | -81,3 | 369,7 | -84,2 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Arctic BioniX F120 | 109,9 | -78,7 | 369,7 | -85,0 | 19897,0 | -91,1 | |
| SilverStone SST-AP123 | SilverStone SST-AP123 | 100,8 | -81,6 | 415,0 | -82,8 | 19897,0 | -90,9 |
| Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM | 113,1 | -79,1 | 329,4 | -77,0 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM | 130,7 | -74,0 | 369,7 | -85,1 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| MSI MEG Silent Gale P12 | 155,4 | -80,8 | 310,9 | -79,9 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Asus ROG Strix XF120 | Asus ROG Strix XF120 | 95,1 | -77,9 | 329,4 | -78,9 | 2347,5 | -90,0 |
| Akasa Vegas X7 | 119,7 | -79,9 | 339,0 | -83,0 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Reeven Coldwing 12 | 127,0 | -78,2 | 339,0 | -84,8 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| Reeven Kiran | 127,0 | -81,4 | 339,0 | -84,4 | 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 | 130,7 | -77,0 | 339,0 | -84,9 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| SilverStone SST-AP121 | 50,4 | -79,9 | 329,4 | -81,4 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| SilverStone SST-FQ121 | 80,0 | -81,8 | 329,4 | -83,1 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| Xigmatek XLF-F1256 | 36,2 | -66,0 | 783,4 | -80,6 | 19897,9 | -90,9 |
| Fan | Dominant sound freq. and noise level, thinner rad@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] | ||
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB | 142,5 | -69,4 | 380,5 | -78,6 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Arctic P12 Slim PWM PST | 127,0 | -68,2 | 369,7 | -76,3 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099) | 134,5 | -74,7 | 269,1 | -74,3 | 2416,3 | -83,6 | |
| Fractal Design Prisma AL-14 PWM | 106,8 | -68,8 | 369,7 | -76,2 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB | 116,5 | -73,7 | 380,5 | -75,6 | 3133,6 | -87,6 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL075) | 179,6 | -64,8 | 718,4 | -75,7 | 19897,0 | -91,0 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM | 123,4 | -62,6 | 369,7 | -73,2 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| DeepCool FK120 | 179,6 | -74,8 | 339,0 | -75,1 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| Asus TUF Gaming TF120 | 123,4 | -74,5 | 339,0 | -75,4 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL072) | 160,0 | -72,9 | 320,0 | -72,6 | 18780,2 | -90,7 | |
| DeepCool FC120 | 169,5 | -72,7 | 339,0 | -77,1 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Nidec Servo Gentle Typhoon D1225C (2150/12) | 190,3 | -70,2 | 380,5 | -77,2 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Shadow Wings 2 (BL085) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM | 23,1 | -77,9 | 213,6 | -70,4 | 19897,0 | -91,0 | |
| Corsair AF120 Elite (black) | 174,5 | -69,6 | 369,7 | -78,3 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Cooler Master MasterFan SF120M | 138,5 | -70,1 | 285,1 | -73,7 | 4063,7 | -78,2 | |
| Akasa Alucia SC12 | 164,7 | -74,0 | 1522,2 | -75,5 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL098) | 190,3 | -73,1 | 339,0 | -69,8 | 2791,7 | -86,7 | |
| Thermalright X-Silent 120 | 50,4 | -79,3 | 239,7 | -72,6 | 2347,5 | -86,6 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM | 130,7 | -74,5 | 339,0 | -75,8 | 18245,6 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 3 (BL066) | 130,7 | -71,4 | 369,7 | -79,2 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Gelid Zodiac | 138,5 | -75,4 | 277,0 | -75,6 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM | 103,7 | -77,2 | 1566,8 | -76,7 | 2152,7 | -87,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 2 (BL039) | 130,7 | -78,6 | 369,7 | -77,2 | 17726,2 | -91,1 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 120 ARGB | 190,3 | -70,5 | 369,7 | -75,5 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Arctic BioniX P120 A-RGB | 119,9 | -64,0 | 239,7 | -73,0 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Akasa OTTO SF12 | 151,0 | -70,0 | 339,0 | -75,4 | 4832,6 | -82,2 | |
| Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB | 134,5 | -69,2 | 310,9 | -74,9 | 4974,2 | -86,7 | |
| Alphacool SL-15 PWM | 130,7 | -77,8 | 369,7 | -72,7 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Arctic BioniX F120 | 142,5 | -73,8 | 369,7 | -77,3 | 3225,4 | -90,3 | |
| SilverStone SST-AP123 | SilverStone SST-AP123 | 151,0 | -72,3 | 339,0 | -74,4 | 19897,0 | -90,8 |
| Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM | 146,7 | -69,0 | 369,7 | -79,9 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM | 179,6 | -66,3 | 359,2 | -76,8 | 2152,7 | -88,3 | |
| MSI MEG Silent Gale P12 | 195,8 | -77,5 | 403,2 | -71,9 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Asus ROG Strix XF120 | Asus ROG Strix XF120 | 130,7 | -62,5 | 329,4 | -87,8 | 18780,2 | -91,1 |
| Akasa Vegas X7 | 155,4 | -75,8 | 339,0 | -76,5 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Reeven Coldwing 12 | 160,0 | -71,4 | 339,0 | -77,9 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| Reeven Kiran | 58,2 | -81,9 | 329,4 | -73,1 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro 120 PWM | 127,0 | -72,9 | 339,0 | -78,0 | 2487,1 | -76,5 | |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro Corona RGB 120 | 134,5 | -68,8 | 538,2 | -80,3 | 2635,0 | -87,1 | |
| SilverStone SST-AP121 | 123,4 | -69,2 | 854,3 | -77,3 | 18780,2 | -91,1 | |
| SilverStone SST-FQ121 | 146,7 | -71,3 | 1522,2 | -79,6 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Xigmatek XLF-F1256 | 58,2 | -76,1 | 739,4 | -71,9 | 19330,5 | -91,1 |
| Fan | Dominant sound freq. and noise level, thinner rad@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] | ||
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB | 179,6 | -63,7 | 391,7 | -69,3 | 2091,4 | -84,6 | |
| Arctic P12 Slim PWM PST | 195,8 | -62,2 | 391,7 | -70,7 | 2091,4 | -86,2 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099) | 164,7 | -69,5 | 329,4 | -64,4 | 2416,3 | -80,6 | |
| Fractal Design Prisma AL-14 PWM | 134,5 | -62,8 | 538,2 | -69,3 | 6267,2 | -89,2 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB | 142,5 | -67,5 | 369,7 | -70,5 | 2215,8 | -86,4 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL075) | 119,9 | -67,4 | 1522,2 | -66,0 | 2152,7 | -81,3 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM | 130,7 | -68,5 | 380,5 | -62,6 | 2280,7 | -88,4 | |
| DeepCool FK120 | 23,1 | -71,6 | 339,0 | -72,3 | 5424,5 | -90,4 | |
| Asus TUF Gaming TF120 | 155,4 | -61,3 | 310,9 | -68,0 | 2091,4 | -88,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL072) | 184,9 | -71,3 | 369,7 | -65,5 | 3133,6 | -89,6 | |
| DeepCool FC120 | 23,1 | -66,7 | 213,6 | -70,3 | 2416,3 | -87,0 | |
| Nidec Servo Gentle Typhoon D1225C (2150/12) | 25,6 | -73,0 | 246,8 | -59,1 | 2280,7 | -82,0 | |
| BeQuiet! Shadow Wings 2 (BL085) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM | 28,3 | -77,0 | 261,4 | -67,7 | 2091,4 | -88,9 | |
| Corsair AF120 Elite (black) | 130,7 | -77,2 | 213,6 | -63,0 | 2152,7 | -87,3 | |
| Cooler Master MasterFan SF120M | 169,5 | -65,3 | 339,0 | -59,2 | 4063,7 | -71,7 | |
| Akasa Alucia SC12 | 23,1 | -73,1 | 207,5 | -68,0 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL098) | 20,3 | -78,5 | 246,8 | -66,7 | 2215,8 | -83,3 | |
| Thermalright X-Silent 120 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM | 160,0 | -71,1 | 339,0 | -69,4 | 2487,1 | -90,1 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 3 (BL066) | 160,0 | -70,9 | 320,0 | -65,6 | 3133,6 | -90,0 | |
| Gelid Zodiac | 169,5 | -70,4 | 339,0 | -66,5 | 2957,7 | -83,2 | |
| Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM | 142,5 | -66,6 | 329,4 | -69,0 | 2215,8 | -74,1 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 2 (BL039) | 127,0 | -72,1 | 391,7 | -71,3 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 120 ARGB | 155,4 | -67,5 | 239,7 | -65,5 | 2487,1 | -86,1 | |
| Arctic BioniX P120 A-RGB | 174,5 | -71,7 | 349,0 | -63,0 | 4832,6 | -82,8 | |
| Akasa OTTO SF12 | 190,3 | -66,3 | 380,5 | -72,4 | 4832,6 | -79,6 | |
| Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB | 169,5 | -65,4 | 678,1 | -66,9 | 2215,8 | -82,2 | |
| Alphacool SL-15 PWM | 151,0 | -74,1 | 232,9 | -68,2 | 2215,8 | -87,2 | |
| Arctic BioniX F120 | 174,5 | -71,7 | 349,0 | -63,0 | 4832,6 | -82,8 | |
| SilverStone SST-AP123 | SilverStone SST-AP123 | 184,9 | -70,9 | 246,8 | -66,5 | 2215,8 | -85,4 |
| Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM | 184,9 | -64,7 | 329,4 | -62,1 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM | 23,1 | -65,1 | 219,8 | -59,8 | 2215,8 | -80,8 | |
| MSI MEG Silent Gale P12 | 25,6 | -74,3 | 339,0 | -71,7 | 2416,3 | -85,1 | |
| Asus ROG Strix XF120 | 164,7 | -66,8 | 320,0 | -68,2 | 2416,3 | -83,8 | |
| Akasa Vegas X7 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Reeven Coldwing 12 | 195,8 | -69,4 | 391,7 | -71,9 | 2152,7 | -85,6 | |
| Reeven Kiran | 123,4 | -71,7 | 391,7 | -71,2 | 3225,4 | -84,4 | |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro 120 PWM | 142,5 | -72,4 | 339,0 | -72,5 | 2152,7 | -76,1 | |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro Corona RGB 120 | 23,1 | -59,7 | 329,4 | -69,7 | 2635,0 | -81,1 | |
| SilverStone SST-AP121 | 127,0 | -65,5 | 310,9 | -70,2 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| SilverStone SST-FQ121 | 20,3 | -66,0 | 201,6 | -65,8 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Xigmatek XLF-F1256 | 130,7 | -64,2 | 739,4 | -64,3 | 3133,6 | -90,8 |
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 rotor 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.
- Contents
- Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB in detail
- Basis of the methodology, the wind tunnel
- Mounting and vibration measurement
- Initial warm-up and speed recording
- Base 6 equal noise levels…
- ... and sound color (frequency characteristic)
- Static pressure measurement…
- … and airflow
- Everything changes with obstacles
- How we measure power draw and motor power
- Measuring the intensity (and power draw) of lighting
- Results: Speed
- Results: Airlow w/o obstacles
- Results: Airflow through a nylon filter
- Results: Airflow through a plastic filter
- Results: Airflow through a hexagonal grille
- Results: Airflow through a thinner radiator
- Results: Airflow through a thicker radiator
- Results: Static pressure w/o obstacles
- Results: Static pressure through a nylon filter
- Results: Static pressure through a plastic filter
- Results: Static pressure through a hexagonal grille
- Results: Static pressure through a thinner radiator
- Results: Static pressure through a thicker radiator
- Results: Static pressure, efficiency by orientation
- Reality vs. specifications
- Results: Frequency response of sound w/o obstacles
- Results: Frequency response of sound with a dust filter
- Results: Frequency response of sound with a hexagonal grille
- Results: Frequency response of sound with a radiator
- Results: Vibration, in total (3D vector length)
- Results: Vibration, X-axis
- Results: Vibration, Y-axis
- Results: Vibration, Z-axis
- Results: Power draw (and motor power)
- Results: Cooling performance per watt, airflow
- Results: Cooling performance per watt, static pressure
- Airflow per euro
- Static pressure per euro
- Results: Lighting – LED luminance and power draw
- Results: LED to motor power draw ratio
- Evaluation
I have several general questions.
I see how the exhaust airflow pattern is often commended on. By how much does airflow pattern affect cooling performance? For example, assuming two fans have identical airflow rate on a thin radiator. One fan has cylindrical exhaust while the other has conical exhaust. Alternatively, one has a larger fan hub and the other has a smaller one. Or just different blade design in general. Does cooling performance differ, and if so, by how much? How about for case fans? How about on the intake side, does airflow pattern differ there?
The wind tunnel is made free of dust before testing. By how much does dust settled on the wind tunnel/fan blades etc affect airflow and noise? Would a thin layer significantly affect the results?
Great questions. We have had the ones from the first paragraph jotted down for a while and we will deal with them later in specialized tests. We just have to work our way through the other topics. 🙂
As for the effect of fan “dirtiness” on air flow, I wonder how this could be tested. Of course, we keep the wind tunnel as clean as possible (it is even stored in a vacuum chamber) and I don’t think it is a good idea to risk changing the friction or reducing the anemometer speed by some sediments from the tested fan. But we’ll figure something out. For this purpose we could use some of the prototype tunnels that preceded the final one we are using. They have some imperfections, but they should be suitable for this purpose.
I’m in love with these deeply scientific reviews. No other reviewer, ever, anywhere, went to such lengths and details in their reviews, especially about pc fans. Because of them I’m getting now 2x Endrofy Fluctus 140 argb for a top exhaust on case with grill+ dust filter. Having read all other reviews, I do prefer them over Pure Wings 3, they seem to be more efficient and more quiet at similar settings.
Thank you!