The cheapest 140mm fan we’ve tested so far beats even significantly more expensive 120mm models at comparable noise levels. That’s because of the use of a larger cross-sectional area, as well as the efficient impeller geometry that the Stratus 140 PWM definitely has. “Cheap” fan doesn’t necessarily mean “weak”, though of course there are some compromises based on more limited manufacturing resources than with more expensive fans.
Reality vs. specifications
Explanatory note: For a quick overview of how manufacturers “spice up” specifications, we have a sort of “truthfulness” coefficient. We calculate this by putting our measured values in proportion to those given in the specifications by the fan manufacturers. A result of “1.00” means that the claimed parameters match the values we have recorded. After such a finding, we can conclude that the manufacturer has done his job honestly and the way he presents the fan agrees. The more the coefficient number is different from 1.00, the less accurate the claimed specifications are. Of course, the better case for the user is if the coefficient is higher than 1.00 (and it is, for example, 1.20), then the real parameters exceed the paper ones. Conversely, if the coefficient starts with zero, then the fan does not reach the parameters on paper. For example, a value of 0.80 means that the real airflow or static pressure is 20 % lower than the manufacturer claims. If a value is missing from the chart, it is because the fan manufacturer does not specify the airflow or static pressure.
stratus 14 is more expensive than arctic p14, therefore it’s not cheap.
It may or may not be. It will depend on the specific store you are shopping at. Somewhere the Stratus 140 PWM fan may be more expensive (probably especially in the US?), somewhere else it may be a bit cheaper.