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.
Explanatory note: We have already described how to measure the vibration intensity in the corresponding chapter within the testing methodology. However, it is worth emphasizing here what we mean by “cumulative vibration”. In order to be able to interpret the motion in the three axes (X, Y, Z) as simply as possible, with a single number, we consider the individual axes as vectors and calculate the so-called 3D vector from them. A more detailed account at the level of the individual axes is given in the next three chapters of this article.
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.
Thanks.
I particularly like the minimum fan speed, that’s a must to me.