- Sep 28, 2022
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Here are some statistical comparisons of some of the more powerful 120mm fans. Data are based on manufacturer's published statistics. Note that manufacturers don't all use the same testing, don't usually report their fan curves to the public, and some of them lie.
All fans are PWM. The links to each are in the first list.
Note: The Delta listed is 80mm3! I put it in for fun.
Note: Some are deeper than 25mm.
Note: mmAq is the same thing as mm H₂O. Where necessary, I converted from imperial (e.g. inches) to metric. I used Convert Units. Hopefully, I didn't make (m)any errors.
Some companies use minutes instead of hours, so I relied on my calculator for the very complex equation.
So much for the usual suspects being the champs, aside from the A12x25 being the quietest.
In order of static pressure (mm H20) (with RPM). (higher is better)
In order of airflow (m3/h) (with RPM). (higher is better)
In order of noise volume (dB(A)) (with RPM). (lower is better)
"Scores" (points 1-5; higher is better)
Being on the list doesn't grant points. If you can devise a better "scoring" system, please tell me about it; I'd like to improve this part! 1-4 point system. Perhaps a wider point-spread to better differentiate? A 5th color? Different ranges for the colors? Different point systems for each category? Please share your thoughts!
As you can see, there is a relationship between RPM and the 3 measurements in these charts, but other factors including blade design, number, spacing, materials, hub size, depth, AF and SP also apply.
If someone wants to provide the SP/dB(A) and AF/dB(A), and/or graphs, please do!
Is there another fan that should be on this list because it's exceptional? Let me know!
Edit:
Interestingly, when Computer Tech & More tested several fans with noise normalization, the bq! SWP4 120 was quieter than even the A12x25, despite the published noise levels. Just goes to show that what's published isn't necessarily true.
View: https://youtu.be/C4xf5hrm02M
Edited: Added points, notes, links and scores, and improved formatting.
All fans are PWM. The links to each are in the first list.
Note: The Delta listed is 80mm3! I put it in for fun.
Note: Some are deeper than 25mm.
Note: mmAq is the same thing as mm H₂O. Where necessary, I converted from imperial (e.g. inches) to metric. I used Convert Units. Hopefully, I didn't make (m)any errors.
So much for the usual suspects being the champs, aside from the A12x25 being the quietest.
In order of static pressure (mm H20) (with RPM). (higher is better)
- Noctua NF-A12x25 (2000) 2,34 mm H₂O
- EK-Meltemi 120ER (1800) 2.75 mm H₂O
- be quiet! Silent Wings 4 120mm PWM high-speed (2500) 3.96 mm H₂O
- Thermalright TL-B12 Extrem (3150) 5.0 mm H₂O
- be quiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (3000) 5.31 mm H₂O
- Phanteks T30-120 (3000) 7.11 mm H₂O (1)
- EK-Furious Meltemi 120 (3500) 7.13 mm H₂O [discontinued, so buy it if you see it!] (1)
- Noctua NF-F12 iPPC 3000 PWM (3000) 7,63 mm H₂O (1)
- SilverStone Technology FHS 120X (4000) 11.66 mm H₂O (2)
- Gelid Gale Mining (3500)* 12.0 mm H₂O (2)
- Gelid Gale Mining Extreme (6000)* 24.0 mm H₂O (3)
- Delta GFB0812ES-E (30,000) 149.82 mm H₂O (4)
In order of airflow (m3/h) (with RPM). (higher is better)
- Noctua NF-A12x25 (2000) 102.1 m³/h
- EK-Meltemi 120ER (1800) 106 m³/h
- be quiet! Silent Wings 4 120mm PWM high-speed (2500) 130.31 m³/h
- be quiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (3000) 142.5 m³/h
- Phanteks T30-120 (3000) 171.60 m³/h
- Noctua NF-F12 iPPC 3000 PWM (3000) 186,7 m³/h
- Gelid Gale Mining (3500) 186.89 m³/h
- Thermalright TL-B12 Extrem (3150) 190.29 m³/h
- EK-Furious Meltemi 120 (3500) 205 m³/h [discontinued, so buy it if you see it!] (1)
- Delta GFB0812ES-E (30,000) 231.18 m³/h (2)
- SilverStone Technology FHS 120X (4000) 244.62 m³/h (3)
- Gelid Gale Mining Extreme (6000) 331.31 m³/h (4)
In order of noise volume (dB(A)) (with RPM). (lower is better)
- Noctua NF-A12x25 (2000) 22.6 dB(A) (4)
- be quiet! Silent Wings 4 120mm PWM high-speed (2500) 31.2 dB(A) (3)
- EK-Meltemi 120ER (1800) 31.3 dB(A) (3)
- be quiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (3000) 36.9 dB(A) (2)
- Phanteks T30-120 (3000) 39.7 dB(A) (1)
- Thermalright TL-B12 Extrem (3150) 40.5 dB(A)
- Noctua NF-F12 iPPC 3000 PWM (3000) 43,5 dB(A)
- Gelid Gale Mining (3500) 45 dB(A)
- SilverStone Technology FHS 120X (4000) 51.8 dB(A)
- Gelid Gale Mining Extreme (6000) 60 dB(A)
- EK-Furious Meltemi 120 (3500) 60.9 dB(A) [discontinued, so buy it if you see it!]
- Delta GFB0812ES-E (30,000) 79.0 dB(A)
"Scores" (points 1-5; higher is better)
- Thermalright TL-B12 Extrem 0
- Noctua NF-F12 iPPC 3000 PWM 1 (only due to SP)
- be quiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 2 (only due to noise level)
- Gelid Gale Mining 2 (only due to SP)
- Phanteks T30-120 2 (noise level and SP)
- EK-Furious Meltemi 120 2 (SP & AF)
- be quiet! Silent Wings 4 120mm PWM high-speed 3 (only due to noise level)
- EK-Meltemi 120ER 3 (only due to noise level)
- Noctua NF-A12x25 4 (only due to noise level)
- SilverStone Technology FHS 120X 5 (SP & AF)
- Delta GFB0812ES-E 6 (SP & AF)
- Gelid Gale Mining Extreme 7 (SP & AF)
Being on the list doesn't grant points. If you can devise a better "scoring" system, please tell me about it; I'd like to improve this part! 1-4 point system. Perhaps a wider point-spread to better differentiate? A 5th color? Different ranges for the colors? Different point systems for each category? Please share your thoughts!
As you can see, there is a relationship between RPM and the 3 measurements in these charts, but other factors including blade design, number, spacing, materials, hub size, depth, AF and SP also apply.
If someone wants to provide the SP/dB(A) and AF/dB(A), and/or graphs, please do!
Is there another fan that should be on this list because it's exceptional? Let me know!
Edit:
Interestingly, when Computer Tech & More tested several fans with noise normalization, the bq! SWP4 120 was quieter than even the A12x25, despite the published noise levels. Just goes to show that what's published isn't necessarily true.
Edited: Added points, notes, links and scores, and improved formatting.
Last edited:
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