Noctua NF-P12 Cooling Fan
Fan Testing
Published: 5th November 2007 | Source: Noctua | Price: £13.85 |
To give an idea of what sort of gains the NF-P12 offers, I will be using it as a case fan and measuring the temperature drops caused by the fan. The case I will be fitting the fan in will be an Antec P182. The case is currently cooled by three Antec TriCool 120mm fans. To give a more focused result, I have removed the two extraction fans and blocked one of the vents, leaving a low speed TriCool feeding the case from the front with fresh air. The power supply is fitted in a separate compartment at the bottom of this case, which means that the power supplies fans will not be aiding in the removal of warm air.
I will be taking readings from a fixed location approximately 15 centimetres down from the top of the case and positioned equal distances from the sides. I will be taking three temperature values, one for each speed / noise level the fan is capable of. Each reading will be taken three times and averaged over a period of 30 minutes of general desktop use, with around 45 minutes given after introducing each speed adapter to allow temperatures to reach a constant level. I will also include a full speed reading for a Sharkoon 1000 'Golf Ball' fan, which produces a nearly identical 19dB(A) to the full RPM NF-P12 and employs an alternative vortex control system.
The ambient temperature was measured throughout and stayed between 17°c and 17.3°c and so all results have been left as taken.
As you can see the NF-P12 without any adapters fitted, dramatically reduced the temperature within the case to a very comfortable 20.9°c, which is nearly 2 degrees lower than the Sharkoon 1000. Usually this would equate to an increase in noise but I can easily say that the Noctua's 19dB(A) output is of a more pleasant pitch than the Sharkoon.
With the introduction of the low noise adapter and ultra low noise adapter, the temperatures understandably increased but only over a range of 2.8°c, which when you consider the near complete silent operation with the U.L.N.A (12.6dB(A)) is a more than acceptable performance.
With the introduction of two extra blades to the fan the static pressure output of the fans will have been increased, which is a welcome improvement over the previous fans. Due to time constraints however, accurate testing of these improvements is not possible. I can say though that when fitted to a radiator consisting of 20 fins per inch it maintained pretty healthy airflow.
Most Recent Comments
Brilliant work PV as usual 
No, thank you mate. I've only added the info that we couldn't get done for your review. But I'm glad you liked it I'll put a link in your review now as I'm about to head off to bed.
I'll put a link in your review now as I'm about to head off to bed.
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Noctua NF-P12 testing