Results: Frequency response of sound w/o obstacles
There aren’t many 140mm fans that are more popular than the NF-A14 (PWM). This Noctua model has maintained that for a long time, for over a decade. In the meantime, naturally, a host of newer competing solutions have come along, and the question is how Noctua’s still-flagship 140mm fan will hold up against them in the present day. By analyzing the NF-A14, we’ll also shorten a bit the interminable wait for its successor.
Results: Frequency response of sound w/o obstacles
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, no obstacle@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] | ||
| Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 77,7 | -70,8 | 254,0 | -74,9 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108) | BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108) | 95,1 | -78,7 | 391,7 | -79,6 | 19330,5 | -91,0 |
| Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM | Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM | 138,5 | -71,7 | 380,5 | -82,3 | 19330,5 | -90,8 |
| Phanteks PH-F120T30 | Phanteks PH-F120T30 | 116,5 | -81,6 | 369,7 | -83,0 | 19330,5 | -90,8 |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings White (BL101) | 164,7 | -78,8 | 369,7 | -81,2 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 | 130,7 | -75,0 | 207,5 | -82,1 | 19330,5 | -90,6 | |
| Valkyrie X12 | 50,4 | -81,2 | 479,5 | -83,5 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm | 97,9 | -76,2 | 380,5 | -85,6 | 19897,0 | -90,6 | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST A-RGB | 89,8 | -76,4 | 339,0 | -86,5 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 Slim | 109,9 | -79,4 | 391,7 | -82,3 | 18780,2 | -90,7 | |
| Seasonic MagFlow 1225 PWM | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST rev. 1 | 80,0 | -72,4 | 201,6 | -77,5 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC | Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC | 41,8 | -76,0 | 1107,9 | -78,2 | 19330,5 | -90,7 |
| Corsair AF120 RGB Elite | 58,2 | -80,9 | 269,1 | -80,1 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Enermax SquA RGB White | 50,4 | -80,6 | 369,7 | -81,9 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM | 20,6 | -75,1 | 391,7 | -83,3 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB | 20,6 | -74,7 | 403,2 | -81,6 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Arctic P12 Slim PWM PST | 100,8 | -83,4 | 369,7 | -76,8 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099) | BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099) | 109,9 | -74,9 | 391,7 | -80,0 | 18780,2 | -90,9 |
| Fractal Design Prisma AL-14 PWM | 41,8 | -80,3 | 1208,2 | -77,5 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB | 92,4 | -77,3 | 380,5 | -80,3 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL075) | 138,5 | -73,3 | 391,7 | -80,5 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM | 50,4 | -68,1 | 391,7 | -78,5 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| DeepCool FK120 | 138,5 | -77,5 | 246,8 | -68,6 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Asus TUF Gaming TF120 | 130,7 | -82,8 | 369,7 | -80,9 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL072) | 23,1 | -71,7 | 380,5 | -72,9 | 18780,4 | -90,8 | |
| DeepCool FC120 | 195,8 | -77,4 | 201,6 | -78,5 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Nidec Servo Gentle Typhoon D1225C (2150/12) | 127,0 | -78,2 | 339,0 | -86,0 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Shadow Wings 2 (BL085) | 151,0 | -79,8 | 369,7 | -79,0 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM | 50,4 | -80,2 | 380,5 | -80,6 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Corsair AF120 Elite (black) | 130,7 | -76,9 | 369,7 | -81,6 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Cooler Master MasterFan SF120M | 50,4 | -80,9 | 1566,8 | -87,5 | 4305,4 | -89,2 | |
| Akasa Alucia SC12 | 50,4 | -78,8 | 1566,8 | -91,5 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL098) | 50,4 | -81,2 | 339,0 | -80,8 | 2712,2 | -87,1 | |
| Thermalright X-Silent 120 | 50,4 | -79,0 | 369,7 | -88,6 | 4974,2 | 87,1 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM | 20,7 | -76,1 | 380,5 | -80,5 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 3 (BL066) | 97,9 | -75,2 | 1107,9 | -79,1 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Gelid Zodiac | 119,9 | -71,1 | 380,5 | -80,9 | 19897,0 | -91,0 | |
| Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM | 47,6 | -72,8 | 1015,4 | -79,9 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 2 (BL039) | 47,6 | -78,3 | 958,9 | -79,6 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 120 ARGB | 130,7 | -82,8 | 369,7 | -80,7 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Arctic BioniX P120 A-RGB | 127,0 | -73,2 | 219,8 | -70,4 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| Akasa OTTO SF12 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB | Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB | 59,9 | -82,7 | 1076,3 | -83,1 | 19330,5 | -90,7 |
| Alphacool SL-15 PWM | Alphacool SL-15 PWM | 190,3 | -79,1 | 380,5 | -78,8 | 18245,6 | -90,9 |
| Arctic BioniX F120 | Arctic BioniX F120 | 123,4 | -76,5 | 246,8 | -80,0 | 19330,5 | -90,9 |
| SilverStone SST-AP123 | SilverStone SST-AP123 | 100,8 | -81,2 | 415,0 | -78,6 | 19897,0 | -90,8 |
| Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM | 103,7 | -76,9 | 329,4 | -73,2 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM | SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM | 130,7 | -76,5 | 369,7 | -80,9 | 19897,0 | -91,0 |
| MSI MEG Silent Gale P12 | 50,4 | -81,7 | 369,7 | -81,0 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Asus ROG Strix XF120 | 50,4 | -80,2 | 329,4 | -76,2 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Akasa Vegas X7 | 123,4 | -77,0 | 369,7 | -83,3 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Reeven Coldwing 12 | 38,9 | -79,7 | 1317,5 | -84,0 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Reeven Kiran | 138,5 | -80,6 | 369,7 | -83,3 | 19330,5 | -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 | -78,0 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| SilverStone SST-AP121 | 47,6 | -77,5 | 261,4 | -86,4 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| SilverStone SST-FQ121 | 31,3 | -87,5 | 1208,2 | -79,9 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Xigmatek XLF-F1256 | 41,8 | -69,7 | 213,6 | -77,3 | 19330,5 | -91,0 |
| Fan | Dominant sound freq. and noise level, no obstacle@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] | ||
| Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 103,7 | -64,3 | 391,7 | -72,9 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108) | 123,4 | -74,5 | 380,5 | -73,8 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM | 179,6 | -66,9 | 380,5 | -75,8 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Phanteks PH-F120T30 | 130,7 | -76,0 | 369,7 | -77,3 | 18780,2 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings White (BL101) | 226,3 | -71,5 | 380,5 | -78,7 | 19330,5 | -90,6 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 | 146,7 | -78,4 | 380,5 | -73,0 | 19330,5 | -90,6 | |
| Valkyrie X12 | 20,6 | -74,7 | 1045,7 | -76,1 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm | Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm | 130,7 | -67,8 | 380,5 | -75,4 | 2031,9 | -87,0 |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST A-RGB | 116,5 | -72,8 | 339,0 | -80,0 | 19330,5 | -90,6 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 Slim | 146,7 | -71,2 | 329,4 | -67,7 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| Seasonic MagFlow 1225 PWM | 138,5 | -74,5 | 1015,9 | -69,6 | 19330,5 | -90,6 | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST rev. 1 | 113,1 | -65,4 | 369,7 | -73,2 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC | 130,7 | -72,0 | 1107,9 | -71,7 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Corsair AF120 RGB Elite | 169,5 | -73,5 | 339,0 | -69,7 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Enermax SquA RGB White | 146,7 | -69,4 | 369,7 | -74,6 | 18245,6 | -91,0 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM | 151,0 | -66,2 | 380,5 | -75,9 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB | 138,5 | -72,6 | 391,7 | -72,7 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Arctic P12 Slim PWM PST | 127,0 | -75,6 | 380,5 | -72,0 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099) | 127,0 | -78,7 | 380,5 | -75,1 | 2416,3 | -86,2 | |
| Fractal Design Prisma AL-14 PWM | 109,9 | -75,3 | 391,7 | -73,9 | 5583,4 | -90,0 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB | 116,5 | -71,7 | 391,7 | -73,0 | 3225,4 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL075) | 184,9 | -69,8 | 391,7 | -73,5 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM | 92,4 | -76,0 | 391,7 | -70,8 | 17726,2 | -91,0 | |
| DeepCool FK120 | 38,9 | -78,8 | 246,8 | -67,0 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Asus TUF Gaming TF120 | 127,0 | -76,0 | 380,5 | -74,6 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL072) | 138,5 | -80,1 | 369,7 | -78,4 | 18780,4 | -90,9 | |
| DeepCool FC120 | 195,8 | -71,5 | 201,6 | -68,0 | 3620,4 | -89,7 | |
| Nidec Servo Gentle Typhoon D1225C (2150/12) | 190,3 | -69,7 | 380,5 | -73,8 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| BeQuiet! Shadow Wings 2 (BL085) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM | 23,1 | -73,9 | 369,7 | -74,1 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| Corsair AF120 Elite (black) | 164,7 | -79,2 | 339,0 | -72,8 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| Cooler Master MasterFan SF120M | 146,7 | -78,8 | 380,5 | -77,9 | 2635,0 | -83,9 | |
| Akasa Alucia SC12 | 151,0 | -80,6 | 226,3 | -73,4 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL098) | 20,3 | -76,0 | 339,0 | -73,9 | 2791,7 | -83,3 | |
| Thermalright X-Silent 120 | 119,9 | -74,0 | 369,7 | -75,0 | 10540,1 | -88,4 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM | 20,7 | -70,4 | 380,5 | -72,4 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 3 (BL066) | 130,7 | -70,1 | 369,7 | -75,2 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Gelid Zodiac | 146,7 | -66,0 | 369,7 | -73,4 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM | 113,1 | -78,5 | 329,4 | -74,6 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 2 (BL039) | 130,7 | -76,1 | 369,7 | -75,3 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 120 ARGB | 127,0 | -63,9 | 380,5 | -74,2 | 19330,5 | -90,6 | |
| Arctic BioniX P120 A-RGB | 50,4 | -77,9 | 439,7 | -72,4 | 18780,2 | -91,1 | |
| Akasa OTTO SF12 | 155,4 | -67,1 | 380,5 | -75,2 | 4431,5 | -87,2 | |
| Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB | 109,9 | -72,8 | 1076,3 | -72,4 | 18245,6 | -90,9 | |
| Alphacool SL-15 PWM | 184,9 | -73,4 | 380,5 | -73,1 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Arctic BioniX F120 | 151,0 | -69,3 | 369,7 | -75,3 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| SilverStone SST-AP123 | SilverStone SST-AP123 | 164,7 | -75,1 | 369,7 | -74,7 | 19330,5 | -90,9 |
| Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM | 146,7 | -68,0 | 329,4 | -66,7 | 18245,6 | -91,1 | |
| SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM | 190,3 | -69,2 | 380,5 | -68,8 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| MSI MEG Silent Gale P12 | 23,1 | -73,5 | 380,5 | -73,3 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Asus ROG Strix XF120 | 130,7 | -70,9 | 369,7 | -75,2 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Akasa Vegas X7 | 127,0 | -77,8 | 369,7 | -76,1 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Reeven Coldwing 12 | 160,0 | -74,0 | 369,7 | -76,8 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Reeven Kiran | 184,9 | -75,2 | 369,7 | -75,2 | 17726,2 | -89,8 | |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro 120 PWM | 97,9 | -81,7 | 369,7 | -78,1 | 2635,0 | -86,2 | |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro Corona RGB 120 | 20,3 | -67,8 | 380,5 | -77,3 | 2487,1 | -85,6 | |
| SilverStone SST-AP121 | 103,7 | -76,2 | 339,0 | -73,4 | 2031,9 | -86,5 | |
| SilverStone SST-FQ121 | 138,5 | -75,2 | 1208,2 | -71,1 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Xigmatek XLF-F1256 | 190,3 | -77,1 | 761,1 | -75,5 | 19897,0 | -91,1 |
| Fan | Dominant sound freq. and noise level, no obstacle@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] | ||
| Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 130,7 | -59,7 | 391,7 | -65,9 | 19897,0 | -91,0 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM | 23,1 | -73,7 | 219,8 | -61,9 | 2487,1 | -90,5 | |
| Phanteks PH-F120T30 | 190,3 | -69,0 | 380,5 | -71,5 | 2957,7 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings White (BL101) | 123,4 | -68,0 | 285,1 | -64,2 | 2215,8 | -89,3 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 | 130,7 | -69,5 | 380,5 | -69,3 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Valkyrie X12 | 23,1 | -69,6 | 879,3 | -68,7 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST A-RGB | 146,7 | -64,2 | 1566,8 | -74,5 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 Slim | Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 Slim | 184,9 | -65,9 | 391,7 | -69,7 | 2031,9 | -90,8 |
| Seasonic MagFlow 1225 PWM | 195,8 | -63,8 | 958,9 | -67,0 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST rev. 1 | 130,7 | -57,9 | 415,0 | -59,1 | 19897,0 | -90,6 | |
| Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC | 20,6 | -68,1 | 369,7 | -71,3 | 3417,2 | -89,3 | |
| Corsair AF120 RGB Elite | 134,5 | -67,3 | 269,1 | -62,2 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Enermax SquA RGB White | 184,9 | -67,4 | 369,7 | -70,4 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM | 20,6 | -60,9 | 195,8 | -64,3 | 2487,1 | -85,5 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB | 20,6 | -62,0 | 391,7 | -68,9 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Arctic P12 Slim PWM PST | 155,4 | -67,8 | 380,5 | -63,5 | 2031,9 | -89,0 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099) | 179,6 | -65,5 | 380,5 | -69,3 | 2487,1 | -83,2 | |
| Fractal Design Prisma AL-14 PWM | 138,5 | -68,1 | 391,7 | -65,6 | 5583,4 | -87,2 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB | 151,0 | -68,4 | 391,7 | -66,5 | 2280,7 | -89,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL075) | 130,7 | -78,8 | 232,9 | -62,1 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM | 134,5 | -70,9 | 391,7 | -65,8 | 17726,2 | -91,1 | |
| DeepCool FK120 | 23,1 | -68,0 | 604,1 | -65,8 | 19897,0 | -91,0 | |
| Asus TUF Gaming TF120 | 23,1 | -66,2 | 380,5 | -70,6 | 2957,7 | -88,1 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL072) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| DeepCool FC120 | 195,8 | -71,5 | 380,5 | -72,8 | 3417,2 | -85,7 | |
| Nidec Servo Gentle Typhoon D1225C (2150/12) | 25,6 | -68,0 | 239,7 | -62,3 | 2280,7 | -84,1 | |
| BeQuiet! Shadow Wings 2 (BL085) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM | 28,3 | -72,5 | 269,1 | -69,8 | 2215,8 | -89,6 | |
| Corsair AF120 Elite (black) | 130,7 | -78,5 | 369,7 | -70,9 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Cooler Master MasterFan SF120M | 184,9 | -69,7 | 369,7 | -67,9 | 4305,4 | -73,8 | |
| Akasa Alucia SC12 | 130,7 | -70,3 | 380,5 | -68,6 | 2031,9 | -90,4 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL098) | 47,6 | -75,5 | 339,0 | -60,5 | 2791,7 | -83,3 | |
| Thermalright X-Silent 120 | 82,3 | -74,9 | 369,7 | -91,1 | 18780,2 | -91,1 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM | 130,7 | -69,5 | 285,1 | -67,2 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 3 (BL066) | 164,7 | -64,2 | 339,0 | -69,1 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Gelid Zodiac | 184,9 | -61,8 | 380,5 | -68,7 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM | 146,7 | -72,2 | 391,7 | -71,5 | 2280,7 | -83,1 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 2 (BL046) | 130,7 | -71,3 | 369,7 | -69,3 | 19330,5 | -90,6 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 120 ARGB | 160,0 | -61,9 | 369,7 | -70,4 | 2487,1 | -88,3 | |
| Arctic BioniX P120 A-RGB | 151,0 | -67,6 | 369,7 | -72,0 | 2873,5 | -90,6 | |
| Akasa OTTO SF12 | Akasa OTTO SF12 | 190,3 | -66,7 | 380,5 | -67,7 | 4695,1 | -86,3 |
| Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB | Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB | 138,5 | -66,7 | 1076,3 | -67,1 | 3835,7 | -89,2 |
| Alphacool SL-15 PWM | Alphacool SL-15 PWM | 151 | -71,5 | 232,9 | -66,5 | 2280,7 | -89,6 |
| Arctic BioniX F120 | Arctic BioniX F120 | 195,8 | -68 | 201,6 | -62,2 | 19330,5 | -90,7 |
| SilverStone SST-AP123 | SilverStone SST-AP123 | 130,7 | -70,9 | 369,7 | -67,7 | 19897 | -90,9 |
| Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM | Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM | 184,9 | -62,2 | 369,7 | -67,0 | 19897 | -91,1 |
| SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM | SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM | 25,6 | -69,6 | 239,7 | -62,0 | 2957,7 | -90,0 |
| MSI MEG Silent Gale P12 | MSI MEG Silent Gale P12 | 28,3 | -73,5 | 380,5 | -71,0 | 2487,1 | -85,9 |
| Asus ROG Strix XF120 | Asus ROG Strix XF120 | 23,1 | -62,9 | 369,7 | -71,7 | 2347,5 | -89,1 |
| Akasa Vegas X7 | Akasa Vegas X7 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reeven Coldwing 12 | Reeven Coldwing 12 | 195,8 | -68,3 | 380,5 | -71,3 | 2031,9 | -90 |
| Reeven Kiran | Reeven Kiran | 130,7 | -73,1 | 219,8 | -70,2 | 17726,2 | -89,4 |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro 120 PWM | SilentiumPC Sigma Pro 120 PWM | 138,5 | -70,0 | 1522,2 | -71,9 | 2560 | -82,9 |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro Corona RGB 120 | SilentiumPC Sigma Pro Corona RGB 120 | 190,3 | -70,5 | 369,7 | -66,5 | 2416,3 | -82,4 |
| SilverStone SST-AP121 | SilverStone SST-AP121 | 130,7 | -66,8 | 439,7 | -66,1 | 2347,5 | -90,9 |
| SilverStone SST-FQ121 | SilverStone SST-FQ121 | 127 | -71,2 | 369,7 | -66,5 | 2031,8 | -81,4 |
| Xigmatek XLF-F1256 | Xigmatek XLF-F1256 | 130,7 | -71,5 | 239,7 | -60,9 | 18780,2 | -91,1 |
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
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM in detail
- 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)
- 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 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
Thanks.
I particularly like the minimum fan speed, that’s a must to me.