Results: Frequency response of sound with a radiator
Venturi fans have some of the softest mounting corners. The transmission of vibrations from moving parts further away to anything (case plates, heatsink fins, …) is thus very significantly damped. Compared to other (even more modern Fractal Design models), these fans have more robust blades, which are both thicker and wider, and as a result, higher static pressure is also achieved at comparable speeds.
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 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.
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] | ||
| Fractal Design Venturi HP-14 PWM | 80,0 | -74,8 | 369,7 | -82,9 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Seasonic MagFlow ARGB | 50,4 | -78,7 | 369,7 | -84,0 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 50,4 | -78,5 | 380,5 | -81,2 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108) | 89,8 | -71,7 | 369,7 | -82,2 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM | 130,7 | -74,7 | 369,7 | -84,5 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Phanteks PH-F120T30 | 116,5 | -77,4 | 339,0 | -86,0 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings White (BL101) | 155,4 | -83,6 | 320,0 | -82,7 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 | 50,4 | -79,1 | 127,0 | -84,3 | 19330,5 | -90,6 | |
| Valkyrie X12 | 146,7 | -75,2 | 329,4 | -80,4 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm | 92,4 | -79,3 | 380,5 | -85,9 | 19330,5 | -90,5 | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST A-RGB | 50,4 | -80,1 | 349,0 | -84,5 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 Slim | 119,9 | -75,3 | 320,0 | -81,6 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Seasonic MagFlow 1225 PWM | 130,7 | -84,1 | 391,7 | -79,8 | 19330,5 | -90,5 | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST rev. 1 | 87,2 | -80,3 | 339,0 | -84,6 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC | 95,1 | -79,8 | 1107,9 | -81,5 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Corsair AF120 RGB Elite | 142,5 | -70,2 | 369,7 | -83,8 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Enermax SquA RGB White | 160,0 | -79,7 | 339,0 | -81,7 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM | 109,9 | -73,8 | 380,5 | -83,6 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| 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] | ||
| Fractal Design Venturi HP-14 PWM | 123,4 | -73,2 | 369,7 | -74,6 | 18245,6 | -91,0 | |
| Seasonic MagFlow ARGB | 130,7 | -74,0 | 391,7 | -76,0 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 134,5 | -80,1 | 369,7 | -74,5 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108) | 119,9 | -68,7 | 239,7 | -69,7 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM | 169,5 | -68,2 | 339,0 | -74,4 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Phanteks PH-F120T30 | 146,7 | -75,7 | 302,0 | -77,3 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings White (BL101) | 50,4 | -81,7 | 213,6 | -80,2 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 | 123,4 | -71,9 | 349,0 | -78,0 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Valkyrie X12 | 184,9 | -69,7 | 369,7 | -71,5 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm | 123,4 | -69,4 | 246,8 | -75,2 | 2215,8 | -89,1 | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST A-RGB | 50,4 | -78,9 | 987,0 | -76,0 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 Slim | 155,4 | -69,5 | 349,0 | -77,9 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| Seasonic MagFlow 1225 PWM | 164,7 | -77,2 | 329,4 | -74,1 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST rev. 1 | 23,1 | -66,5 | 339,0 | -77,5 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC | 20,9 | -73,8 | 184,9 | -75,1 | 2152,7 | -83,8 | |
| Corsair AF120 RGB Elite | 179,6 | -65,9 | 359,2 | -73,5 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Enermax SquA RGB White | 138,5 | -66,0 | 339,0 | -75,3 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM | 142,5 | -67,7 | 369,7 | -78,1 | 19330,5 | -91,2 | |
| 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] | ||
| Fractal Design Venturi HP-14 PWM | 134,5 | -60,5 | 380,5 | -71,5 | 2031,9 | -87,5 | |
| Seasonic MagFlow ARGB | 25,6 | -72,1 | 369,7 | -71,9 | 2091,4 | -87,6 | |
| Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 134,5 | -80,1 | 369,7 | -74,5 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108) | 138,5 | -61,2 | 285,1 | -65,6 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM | 213,6 | -59,6 | 1522,2 | -72,9 | 3225,4 | -87,9 | |
| Phanteks PH-F120T30 | 179,6 | -68,9 | 718,4 | -66,0 | 2152,7 | -87,2 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings White (BL101) | 119,9 | -73,4 | 269,1 | -70,3 | 3225,4 | -87,8 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 | 33,6 | -71,4 | 213,6 | -72,4 | 2487,1 | -89,7 | |
| Valkyrie X12 | 25,2 | -71,5 | 226,3 | -60,3 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST A-RGB | 142,5 | -71,3 | 1140,4 | -72,4 | 3133,6 | -89,2 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 Slim | 195,8 | -65,7 | 380,5 | -72,0 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Seasonic MagFlow 1225 PWM | 24,8 | -73,8 | 1522,2 | -70,6 | 2152,7 | -86,5 | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST rev. 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC | 239,7 | -65,6 | 1522,2 | -67,5 | 2280,7 | -85,7 | |
| Corsair AF120 RGB Elite | 130,7 | -71,7 | 213,6 | -65,7 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Enermax SquA RGB White | 195,8 | -72,6 | 391,7 | -70,5 | 19330,5 | -90,6 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB | 179,6 | -62,8 | 1478,9 | -71,8 | 2031,9 | -85,4 | |
| 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 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.
- Contents
- Details of the Fractal Design Venturi HP-14 PWM
- Overview of manufacturer specifications
- 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)
- Measurement of static pressure…
- … and of 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 depending on 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 wonder the reason why these type of corners, despite being so effective, are uncommon. Is it a lack of necessity due to inherent low vibrations, rubber pads/mounts being good enough/better, or some kind of cost or mechanical concerns?
It’s hard to say anything for sure. But I will dare to speculate.
Let’s assume that higher vibrations characterize mainly the cheaper fans, where the goal was to make them as cheap as possible. All-rubber corners don’t fit into this scheme (lowest cost) (such Arctic P12 don’t even have rubber pads), so they are usually not used. And again, when there is a bigger budget for fans, the funds can be put into things that suppress vibrations more effectively than perfect anti-vibration corners. Whether it’s a stiffer material (just with a larger thickness or a different composition, for example LCP instead of PBT) or a less vibrating motor etc.