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Noctua NF-P12 Fan
Submitted by jwhitakr on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 18:16.
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As computers become more powerful with faster processors and high end graphics cards, heat becomes more and more of an issue. It is more important than ever to keep our fast computers cool so they can continue to perform optimally. A large case fan can help by blowing out the hot air from the case or pulling cool air into the case. Most computers already have a case fan on the rear of the case blowing hot air out, but to get the best cooling effect you need at least one fan blowing hot air out and one pulling cool air in.
The Noctua NF-P12 is a 120mm fan that can serve the purpose of a case fan or a CPU cooler fan. In both roles the NF-P12 is designed to provide excellent airflow with an absolute minimal amount of noise. Read on to hear our take on the NF-P12 fan from Noctua.
Design and Features
There are three main factors that people consider when looking for a good case fan.
1) How much air it moves
2) How much noise it makes
3) How long it will last
The Austrian designed Noctua NF-P12 is a 120mm case fan that covers all three if these considerations with cutting edge technology. The NF-P12 uses a nine blade design, compared to other fans which have only five or seven blades, that helps to move more air. The Noctua NF-P12 moves more air than any other case fan I have used.
Each fan blade is notched specifically to reduce noise. They call these Vortex Control Notches which are staggered to keep vibrations at a minimum. The NF-P12 is a very quiet running fan - 12.6dB at 900 RPM and 19.8dB at 1300 RPM. It is so quiet that I had to check to make sure it was running because I could not hear it at all compared to my Antec case fan.
The NF-P12 uses whaf Noctua calls SC-Drive or Smooth Commutation Drive. This technology reduces torque variations to ensure smoothness while running. This may also be another reason for the remarkable low noise of the fan.
Another feature of the fan that helps with noise also helps with the overall longevity and that is the SSO-Bearing. The self-stabalising oil-pressure bearing seriously reduces normal fan noise and should keep the fan running smooth for a long time.
Installation
The fan has an attached 18” power cable with a 3-pin plug that should fit any modern motherboard. It also comes with a Molex adapter if you do not have a place to plug in the fan on your motherboard. There are also two adapters for low noise and ultra low noise. These also affect the RPMs and airflow of the fan - the Low Noise adapter runs the fan at 1100 RPM speed and the Ultra Low Noise adapter runs the fan at 900 RPM speed. I chose to install and use the fan without the adapters, because it is quiet enough without them. But if you work in an extremely quiet environment or just want to keep your PC running as close to silent as possible, you should most likely choose to install one of the adapters.
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| Noctua NF-P12 Box | Noctua NF-P12 Contents | Noctua NF-P12 Fan Notches |
In the Box
- Noctua NF-P12 120mm case fan
- Low noise adapter
- Ultra low noise adapter
- 1 3-pin to Molex adapter
- 4 fan screws
- 4 vibration compensators
Usage
Rather than looking at individual SPL and airflow performance measurements that will vary from one environment to the next, I chose to instead compare it with the case fans in my PC right now and other fans I have used in the past. I am currently using an Antec 120mm that has outlasted 2 other case fans I had been previously using.
Additionally, I have used a variety of case fans from other manufacturers throughout my years of building and using PC's. The NF-P12 is without a doubt one of the quietest and most powerful fans I have ever used. It is quite literally completely silent unless you put your ear right up to the case, and even then all you really hear is the air moving. There is really not much else to say other than - very impressive!
Noctua NF-P12 120mm Fan
In conclusion, the Noctua NF-P12 is one of the best case fans I have evaluated. It is extremely quiet, moves a great amount of air and keeps the interior of my computer case nice and cool. The best thing about the Noctua NF-P12 is that it comes with a six year warranty. Most computer components only come with a year warranty at best, but not the NF-P12. If you need a good case cooling solution, the Noctua NF-P12 is one of the best fan choices on the market today.
Pros: Super quiet and moves a huge amount of air.
Cons: Slightly higher price than other 120mm fans.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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