Noctua VS Corsair Fans - RPM, Airflow, Acoustics, Static Pressure - Comparison w/ Links!

[BigDay]

Noctua VS Corsair Fans

A Comparison Between Airflow, Acoustical Noise, and Static Pressure

 

This guide contains links to each product. Click HERE to access the spreadsheet data!

 

I've compiled data on the following Corsair and Noctua fans in order to compare them so that you can make a more informed decision when it comes to performance

 

Please keep in mind, this is simply a basic comparison between airflow (CFM), acoustical noise (dbA), and static pressure (mm/H20) metrics. There are a multitude of technologies inherit to each fan that may increase performance even though one fan's metrics may be worse than the other. This type of comparison is outside the scope of this guide.

 

 

SP140 (High Static Pressure)

 

Radiator Fan @ 120mm:

SP120 (Performance Edition)

SP120 (Quiet Edition)

 

Case Ventilation @ 140mm:

AF140 (Quiet Edition)

*Note: Currently, there is no AF140 @140mm that comes in a "Performance Edition"

 

Case Ventilation @ 120mm:

AF120 (Performance Edition)

AF120 (Quiet Edition)

 

NF-A14 PWM

NF-A14 PWM (w/ Low Noise Adapter)

 

Radiator Fan @ 120mm:

NF-F12 PWM

NF-F12 PWM (w/ Low Noise Adapter)

 

Case Ventilation @ 120mm:

NF-S12A PWM

NF-S12A PWM (w/ Low Noise Adapter)

 

 

Which Fan Should I Buy? Conclusions:

 

[spoiler=Radiator Fan @ 140mm (Noctua or Corsair?):]Winner: Noctua NF-A14 PWM

 

With the low noise adapter (LNA) off, the Noctua NF-A14 PWM fan is superior to the Corsair SP140 (High Static Pressure) fan in 3 ways:

• 67% more airflow as measured by CFM
• 16% less noise as measured by dbA
• 77% more static pressure as measured by mm/H₂0

With the low noise adapter (LNA) ON, the Noctua NF-A14 PWM fan is STILL superior to the Corsair SP140 (High Static Pressure) fan in 3 ways:

• 37% more airflow as measured by CFM
• 34% less noise as measured by dbA
• 29% more static pressure as measured by mm/H₂0

 

 

With the low noise adapter (LNA) off, the Noctua NF-A14 PWM fan is superior to the Corsair AF140 (Quiet Edition) fan in 3 ways:

• 22% more airflow as measured by CFM
• Only 2.5% louder as measured by dbA
• 147% more static pressure as measured by mm/H₂0

With the low noise adapter (LNA) ON, the Noctua NF-A14 PWM fan is STILL superior to the Corsair AF140 (Quiet Edition) fan in 3 ways:

• 0.3% more airflow as measured by CFM
• 20% less noise as measured by dbA
• 80% more static pressure as measured by mm/H₂0

 

Noctua NF-F12 PWM vs Corsair SP120 (Performance Edition):

 

Winner: Corsair SP120 (Performance Edition)

*Corsair wins if you're more concerned about performance than noise. If you're more concerned about noise in this category, go with the Noctua as the performance metrics are very close.

 

The Corsair SP120 (Performance Edition) is superior to the Noctua NF-F12 PWM in terms of performance in 2 ways:

• 14% more airflow as measured by CFM
• 19% more static pressure as measured by mm/H₂0

The Corsair SP120 (Performance Edition) is 56% louder than the Noctua NF-F12 PWM

 

Noctua NF-F12 PWM (w/ Low Noise Adapter) vs Corsair SP120 (Quiet Edition):

 

Winner: Noctua NF-F12 PWM (w/ Low Noise Adapter)

 

The Noctua NF-F12 PWM (w/ Low Noise Adapter) is superior to the Corsair SP120 (Quiet Edition) in 3 ways:

• 16% more airflow as measured by CFM
• 19% less noise as measured by dbA
• 42% more static pressure as measured by mm/H₂0

 

Noctua NF-S12A PWM

 

Winner: Noctua NF-S12A PWM

 

The Noctua NF-S12A PWM is superior to the Corsair AF120 (Performance Edition) in 3 ways:

• Only 0.4% less airflow as measured by CFM
• 41% less noise as measured by dbA
• 8% more static pressure as measured by mm/H₂0

Noctua NF-S12A PWM (w/ Low Noise Adapter) vs Corsair AF120 (Quiet Edition):

 

Winner: Noctua NF-S12A PWM (w/ Low Noise Adapter)

 

The NF-S12A PWM (w/ Low Noise Adapter) is superior to the Corsair AF120 (Quiet Edition) in 3 ways:

• 22% more airflow as measured by CFM
• 49% less noise as measured by dbA
• 46% more static pressure as measured by mm/H₂0

 

Noctua: 5

Corsair: 1

 

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vs Corsair AF120 (Performance Edition):

Winner: Noctua NF-A14 PWM

Click HERE to access the spreadsheet data!

Radiator Fan @ 140mm + Case Ventilation @ 140mm:

Radiator Fan @ 140mm:

Data was compiled from the official manufacturer's websites @ Noctua.at & Corsair.com. Conversions between m³/h to CFM were completed through http://www.endmemo.com/sconvert/m3_hft3_min.php

[doctorraichu]

Thanks, Mate!

[Interfectorem]

You forgot to include RPMs. Though pretty good comparisons

[BigDay]

You forgot to include RPMs. Though pretty good comparisons

 

I will update the spreadsheet with RPM's and edit the post. Thanks.

[Mao_Zedong]

How did you get this data?

[Majestic]

Why did you only add noctua fans with low noise adapter?

[BigDay]

How did you get this data?

 

*Data was compiled from the official manufacturer's websites @ Noctua.at & Corsair.com

[BigDay]

Why did you only add noctua fans with low noise adapter?

 

*EDIT: I've also included data for the Noctua fans without the LNA's

[Majestic]

Some of those numbers are CFM and some are m3/h. Please use the same unit for everything. 115cfm for a NF-A14 would be quite impressive

[BigDay]

Some of those numbers are CFM and some are m3/h. Please use the same unit for everything. 115cfm for a NF-A14 would be quite impressive

 

Will do. Thanks.

[BigDay]

@Majestic

 

Fixed. Added data for Noctua fan use without the LNA's, fixed the inaccurate CFM data, and included RPM data. Added links to each product.

[BigDay]

Added a conclusion section to the thread showing percent differences in performance and winners in terms of performance and or a lower dbA.

[SuperShires]

Nice post dude! you dont happen to have some Fractal Define Venturi fans lying around to compare them with do you? 

[BigDay]

Nice post dude! you dont happen to have some Fractal Define Venturi fans lying around to compare them with do you? 

 

Thanks! No, sorry I don't. If the manufacturer website has the info listed, I could always add to this.

[ForsakenLive]

Noctua is just great, you can even use them to chill down your fever when you are sick

 

[BigDay]

bump