It arrived quietly, but we had been looking forward to it for a very long time. In its form factor, the Phanteks T30-140 fan works wonders and often defeats everything that stands in its way. Yes, even the Noctua NF-A14x25 G2 PWM is often the “next in line”, albeit at the cost of a thicker profile (and therefore worse compatibility). Airflow is exceptionally high (and consequently cooling performance) through obstacles. Larger fans now have a new dominant model.
Results: Frequency response of sound with a hexagonal grille
Measurements are conducted using TrueRTA, which captures audio data across 240 frequency bands within the 20–20,000 Hz range. To facilitate comparisons between articles, we extract and present the dominant frequency from each of three spectral bands: low (20–200 Hz), mid (201–2000 Hz), and high (2001–20,000 Hz) in standardized 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 any aspects of the graphs or data tables are unclear, detailed interpretation guidelines are provided in this article.
Most fan-related acoustic activity occurs within the 70–7000 Hz range. Frequencies above 7000 Hz typically represent electromagnetic interference from the test environment, while the lowest bands below 70 Hz may also include such noise, albeit mixed with aerodynamic sound. Although we could exclude these frequency extremes, they are retained to detect and visualize potential anomalies.
| Fan | Dominant sound freq. and noise level, hexagonal grille@33 dBA | ||||||
| Low range | Mid range | High range | |||||
| Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | ||
| Phanteks T30-140 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Thermalright TL-B14 | 50,4 | -79,7 | 380,5 | -83,2 | 18245,6 | -91,8 | |
| Arctic P14 Pro PST | 36,2 | -78,7 | 269,1 | -74,4 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Arctic P14 Pro A-RGB | 36,2 | -76,4 | 261,4 | -78,8 | 18780,2 | -90,7 | |
| Fractal Design Momentum 14 (Black) | 47,6 | -80,4 | 359,2 | -81,0 | 19897,0 | -91,3 | |
| Fractal Design Momentum 14 RGB (White) | 47,6 | -83,7 | 359,2 | -74,1 | 19330,5 | -91,6 | |
| DeepCool FT14 | 50,4 | -80,9 | 380,5 | -81,7 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| Noctua NF-A14x25 G2 PWM | 84,8 | -77,8 | 380,5 | -80,4 | 19897,0 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL113) | 50,4 | -79,2 | 380,5 | -79,9 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Arctic P14 Max rev. 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Arctic P14 PWM PST CO rev. 3 | 61,7 | -78,6 | 349,0 | -78,5 | 18245,6 | -90,8 | |
| Arctic P14 PWM PST rev. 4 | 65,4 | -76,1 | 369,7 | -81,7 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 4 (BL117) | 44,9 | -80,7 | 391,7 | -80,5 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Endorfy Stratus 140 PWM | 87,2 | -74,2 | 391,7 | -82,1 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Thermaltake Toughfan 14 Pro | 36,2 | -77,8 | 380,5 | -80,4 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Fractal Design Venturi HP-14 PWM | 36,2 | -77,8 | 380,5 | -79,5 | 19330,5 | -90,6 | |
| Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 50,4 | -79,9 | 359,2 | -78,6 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108) | 50,4 | -80,1 | 380,5 | -78,7 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Enermax SquA RGB White | 123,4 | -82,4 | 369,7 | -74,5 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM | 89,8 | -78,6 | 359,2 | -75,5 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB | 89,8 | -79,6 | 369,7 | -76,3 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Arctic P12 Slim PWM PST | 100,8 | -84,3 | 369,7 | -74,2 | 18780,2 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099) | 44,9 | -75,7 | 320,0 | -77,7 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Fractal Design Prisma AL-14 PWM | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB | 58,2 | -81,0 | 380,5 | -78,5 | 19897,0 | -90,7 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM | 63,5 | -83,1 | 391,7 | -75,2 | 19330,5 | -90,7 |
| Fan | Dominant sound freq. and noise level, hexagonal grille@39 dBA | ||||||
| Low range | Mid range | High range | |||||
| Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | ||
| Phanteks T30-140 | 20,6 | -74,9 | 359,2 | -65,0 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Thermalright TL-B14 | 20,6 | -76,1 | 369,7 | -73,1 | 19330,5 | -91,3 | |
| Arctic P14 Pro PST | 50,4 | -79,6 | 329,4 | -68,5 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Arctic P14 Pro A-RGB | 46,2 | -82,1 | 320,0 | -72,2 | 19897,0 | -91,2 | |
| Fractal Design Momentum 14 (Black) | 20,6 | -78,3 | 380,5 | -76,1 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Fractal Design Momentum 14 RGB (White) | 28,3 | -78,5 | 380,5 | -73,8 | 19330,5 | -91,8 | |
| DeepCool FT14 | 87,2 | -79,3 | 359,2 | -73,1 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Noctua NF-A14x25 G2 PWM | 106,8 | -72,7 | 380,5 | -74,6 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL113) | 130,7 | -74,9 | 391,7 | -69,9 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Arctic P14 Max rev. 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Arctic P14 PWM PST CO rev. 3 | 84,8 | -69,8 | 369,7 | -74,7 | 18780,2 | -90,7 | |
| Arctic P14 PWM PST rev. 4 | 84,8 | -69,9 | 339,0 | -68,7 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 4 (BL117) | 103,7 | -75,8 | 415,0 | -68,7 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Endorfy Stratus 140 PWM | 119,9 | -67,3 | 391,7 | -73,7 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| Thermaltake Toughfan 14 Pro | 50,4 | -77,1 | 380,5 | -71,9 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Fractal Design Venturi HP-14 PWM | 41,8 | -73,1 | 369,7 | -64,8 | 19897,0 | -91,0 | |
| Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 75,5 | -75,7 | 391,7 | -68,7 | 18245,6 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108) | 50,4 | -78,7 | 339,0 | -68,7 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm | 89,8 | -72,9 | 359,2 | -71,0 | 18245,6 | -91,0 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM | 119,9 | -77,2 | 380,5 | -72,1 | 18245,6 | -91,0 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB | 123,4 | -75,6 | 391,7 | -70,4 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099) | 103,7 | -76,8 | 415,0 | -69,5 | 2347,5 | -90,6 | |
| Fractal Design Prisma AL-14 PWM | 130,7 | -71,5 | 380,5 | -67,5 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB | 58,2 | -82,6 | 359,2 | -68,5 | 19897,0 | -90,8 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL075) | 130,7 | -79,9 | 452,5 | -74,7 | 19330,5 | -91,0 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM | 47,6 | -71,2 | 427,1 | -72,4 | 19330,5 | -90,9 |
| Fan | Dominant sound freq. and noise level, hexagonal grille@45 dBA | ||||||
| Low range | Mid range | High range | |||||
| Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | Frequency [Hz] | Noise level [dBu] | ||
| Phanteks T30-140 | 20,6 | -70,5 | 380,5 | -68,1 | 2347,5 | -89,8 | |
| Thermalright TL-B14 | 20,6 | -68,4 | 493,5 | -69,8 | 2635,0 | -89,4 | |
| Arctic P14 Pro PST | 25,6 | -80,1 | 349,0 | -57,0 | 18245,6 | -91,2 | |
| Arctic P14 Pro A-RGB | 123,4 | -78,9 | 439,7 | -65,3 | 19897,0 | -91,2 | |
| Fractal Design Momentum 14 (Black) | 20,6 | -73,5 | 380,5 | -72,4 | 2215,8 | -88,5 | |
| Fractal Design Momentum 14 RGB (White) | 20,6 | -73,8 | 604,1 | -69,6 | 19330,5 | -91,3 | |
| DeepCool FT14 | 33,6 | -75,3 | 380,5 | -68,3 | 18780,2 | -91,1 | |
| Noctua NF-A14x25 G2 PWM | 134,5 | -67,7 | 380,5 | -66,9 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL113) | 164,7 | -74,5 | 493,5 | -68,1 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Arctic P14 Max rev. 1 | 92,4 | -73,2 | 369,7 | -63,2 | 18780,2 | -90,7 | |
| Arctic P14 PWM PST CO rev. 3 | 106,8 | -67,5 | 369,7 | -70,1 | 5120,0 | -90,8 | |
| Arctic P14 PWM PST rev. 4 | 106,8 | -63,9 | 349,0 | -68,4 | 18245,6 | -90,9 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 4 (BL117) | 134,5 | -67,7 | 380,5 | -68,0 | 18780,2 | -90,8 | |
| Endorfy Stratus 140 PWM | 151,0 | -60,8 | 604,1 | -66,5 | 19330,5 | -90,9 | |
| Thermaltake Toughfan 14 Pro | 20,6 | -72,9 | 380,5 | -66,5 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Fractal Design Venturi HP-14 PWM | 103,7 | -74,1 | 380,5 | -69,0 | 18780,2 | -90,9 | |
| Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 92,4 | -71,9 | 369,7 | -65,9 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108) | 109,9 | -77,1 | 380,5 | -67,5 | 18780,2 | -91,0 | |
| Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm | 119,9 | -65,7 | 380,5 | -69,7 | 19330,5 | -90,7 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM | 155,4 | -65,1 | 621,8 | -69,1 | 2280,7 | -87,5 | |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB | 155,4 | -66,6 | 621,8 | -68,2 | 2487,1 | -87,5 | |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099) | 138,5 | -68,0 | 380,5 | -67,3 | 2416,3 | -86,1 | |
| Fractal Design Prisma AL-14 PWM | 169,5 | -72,5 | 403,2 | -61,9 | 7240,8 | -90,3 | |
| Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB | 130,7 | -80,3 | 678,1 | -65,7 | 2487,1 | -90,7 | |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL075) | 184,9 | -77,1 | 369,7 | -68,2 | 19330,5 | -90,8 | |
| Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM | 103,7 | -77,5 | 380,5 | -68,7 | 18780,2 | -90,8 |
Why is a value sometimes missing for a fan? There can be several reasons. Most commonly, it’s because the fan couldn’t be regulated to the target noise level. Some fans have higher minimum RPM (or they spin slowly but have an excessively noisy motor), or they are simply slower models that can’t reach higher decibel thresholds. Results are also omitted from graphs if the impeller scrapes against the mesh of a nylon filter. In such cases, we classify the combination as incompatible. And of course, a zero in the graphs naturally appears in situations where we record an actual 0.00. This often occurs at extremely low speeds when obstacles are present or during vibration measurements.
One photograph labeled “v2” is intended for the main teaser:
Can you help me understand the importance of “Static pressure through a through a thicker radiator” when we also have “Airflow through a thicker radiator”? It seems to me that the airflow is the end result and static pressure is just one variable that leads to that resulting airflow. You get a fan like the Endorfy Fluctus 140 that rates high on static pressure at 31dB but then underperforms on airflow at the same dB against other fans that had lower rated static pressure.
Static pressure through a radiator represents a scenario where the measured value reflects the combined effect of the fan and the radiator. In contrast, the results labeled Static pressure w/o obstacles are influenced solely by the fan itself.
Typically, a radiator (or any obstacle) reduces static pressure. If the obstacle does not provide sufficient resistance, pressure leakage occurs, and we measure lower values as a result.
From a practical perspective, however, these values are not critically important. It’s important to understand the conditions under which static pressure is measured — regardless of whether an obstacle is present or not. The measurement is performed at zero airflow, with the tunnel sealed.
When measuring Airflow through a radiator, the situation is essentially the opposite. Speaking of “zero static pressure” would be somewhat inaccurate (since even the tunnel itself introduces a small amount of resistance), but this resistance is very low. In that case, airflow restriction is determined primarily by the obstacle itself.
Static pressure measured through a radiator may correlate better than airflow values in extremely restrictive environments—but such conditions do not represent typical real-world scenarios.
Is the answer clear enough and satisfactory or is there something that needs to be further clarified? 🙂
This helps very much. Thank you for taking the time to explain it so clearly for me.
What a waste of a fan
What facts are you basing that on? In certain situations, when things are set up properly, the Phanteks fan can actually be number one. 🙂
Could you explain why 120mm G2 Noctua beats T30-120, but T30-140 beats Noctua 140mm G2? Is Noctua 140mm G2 for some reason worse than 120mm version? For example at 31dBA 140mm Noctua on thick/thin radiators has less airflow than 120mm version
Could you please provide specific situations or measurements? I’m not able to work with the term “beats” on its own—it’s too vague. What exactly do you mean by that? Please elaborate in more detail so it’s clear what needs to be explained. 🙂
Hello – I am not skilled in Electronics. I ordered the 3x pack of this Phanteks T30-140, can I run them – all three of them – off of one 3A “PUMP_SYS2” header on my motherboard?
Hi, connecting the Phanteks T30-140 fans should be fine even at maximum speed—assuming the connector is designed to handle higher current loads. These fans don’t come close to 3 A even at peak draw during startup, etc. 🙂