SilentWing 3 vs NF-A12x25

[Frenky]

Anyone any idea which performs better (for quietness while still having decent airflow)? Unable to find any comparisons anywhere. 

[Jurrunio]

NF-A12x25 had better max airflow but SW3 give lower noise at max operation, not sure about which one is better for pushing the most air while staying inaudible though. Also is this an intake fan? If yes then what case are you using?

 

@WoodenMarker

[WoodenMarker]

2 hours ago, Jurrunio said:

NF-A12x25 had better max airflow but SW3 give lower noise at max operation, not sure about which one is better for pushing the most air while staying inaudible though.

An example from Tom's Hardware on the Silent Loop 120 shows the NF-A12x25 being quieter and performing better at 800, 1200, and 1600rpm compared to the SW3: https://www.tomshardware.fr/2018/12/10/test-ventilateur-noctua-nf-a12x25/7/

Similar results from TechPowerUp: https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Noctua/NF-A12x25_PWM/5.html

 

From Amazon review: https://www.amazon.com/Noctua-NF-A12x25-PWM-Premium-Quality-Quiet/dp/B07C5VG64V/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1545904889&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=nf-a12x25'&psc=1#customerReviews

Quote

Real deal fans 
By Brandon R. Baker on July 21, 2018
I bought these to play with. They are quieter and work as well if not better than some 140mm silent wings 2 with an adapter to a 280mm radiator. Pretty awesome but expensive. I cannot wait for 140mm fans see less

For reference, SW2's are quieter than SW3's but don't perform as well. 

 

There are few examples of direct comparisons of the two online. From what I've seen from reviews of the NF-A12x25, I'd say it's probably the best 120mm fan available for just about everything. It seems to be better than most 140mm's as well. 

[Frenky]

Thanks! I'm planning on using one of these (probably A12) for my Meshify C. Thanks so much guys

[RejZoR]

5 hours ago, WoodenMarker said:

An example from Tom's Hardware on the Silent Loop 120 shows the NF-A12x25 being quieter and performing better at 800, 1200, and 1600rpm compared to the SW3: https://www.tomshardware.fr/2018/12/10/test-ventilateur-noctua-nf-a12x25/7/

Similar results from TechPowerUp: https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Noctua/NF-A12x25_PWM/5.html

 

From Amazon review: https://www.amazon.com/Noctua-NF-A12x25-PWM-Premium-Quality-Quiet/dp/B07C5VG64V/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1545904889&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=nf-a12x25'&psc=1#customerReviews

For reference, SW2's are quieter than SW3's but don't perform as well. 

 

There are few examples of direct comparisons of the two online. From what I've seen from reviews of the NF-A12x25, I'd say it's probably the best 120mm fan available for just about everything. It seems to be better than most 140mm's as well. 

SW3 are excellent fans. I have my entire system powered with 120mm and 140mm versions.

 

The reason why SW3 performs worse on radiators is because of rubber corners and lack of square shape that would seal against the radiator. I've solved that by adding transparent plastic shim between fan and radiator so all the air pressure is forced through the radiator. They are incredibly quiet and solid.

 

I was disappointed by Noctua too many times and their skin and baby diarrhea color scheme is revolting.

[Stefan Payne]

9 hours ago, Frenky said:

Anyone any idea which performs better (for quietness while still having decent airflow)? Unable to find any comparisons anywhere. 

Throw a coin.

Both are equal. nothing wrong with either.

 

If you want facts:
Depends if you want to trade Airflow for Noise a bit. 

 

Besides that, they are both good, Noctua might have a "strange color", if you care...

The Motor and Bearing should be both really good and the reason for the high price...

[WoodenMarker]

3 hours ago, RejZoR said:

I was disappointed by Noctua too many times and their skin and baby diarrhea color scheme is revolting.

Which Noctua products have you been disappointed with?

3 hours ago, Stefan Payne said:

Both are equal. nothing wrong with either.

Both are excellent but NF-A12x25's are better.

Reviews and benchmarks show SW3's as similar at best but generally worse.

 

https://www.hardwareluxx.de/index.php/artikel/hardware/kuehlung/46712-noctua-nf-a12x25-im-test-auf-dem-weg-zur-luefter-referenz.html?start=4

The review from hardwareluxx shows that the SW3 High Speed's perform better partly due to the higher rpm but are also noisier. More restrictive tests cause the SW3 HS' to fall behind when the NF-A12x25 stays quieter. 

Compared to SW3's and SW3 HS', the NF-A12x25 performs better and at a lower noise level at 1450rpm on a GeminII heatsink: http://www.comptoir-hardware.com/articles/refroidissement/36673-nous-avons-essaye-les-noctua-nf-a12x25.html?start=2

Compared to several other 120mm fans including SW3 HS', the NF-A12x25 performs better at a lower noise level on a restrictive pc case simulation and 50mm rad: https://www.thelab.gr/reviews/heatsinks-coolers-watercooling-reviews/noctua-nf-a12x25-and-noctua-nf-p12-redux-series-fans-review-r701/

Compared to 135/140mm SW2/SW3's, the NF-A12x25 performs better at a lower noise level on a DRTF heatsink: https://www.enlacehw.com/noctua-nf-a12x25-review/3/

Compared to SW3's, the NF-A12x25 performs substantially better while being barely louder on a Brocken ECO heatsink. With normalized temps or noise, NF-A12x25's are easily better: https://www.gamezoom.net/artikel/Noctua_NF_A12x25_PWM_Test_Review-41664-2

Compared to SW3's, the NF-A12x25 performs similarly at 70% rpm while being slightly quieter or significantly better when comparing at the same noise level of 33.4dBA when used in a NH-D14 heatsink:

https://youtu.be/eBXT_dLoQtA?t=460

https://youtu.be/eBXT_dLoQtA?t=534

 

[Frenky]

27 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

Which Noctua products have you been disappointed with?

Both are excellent but NF-A12x25's are better.

Reviews and benchmarks show SW3's as similar at best but generally worse.

 

Thanks for all the information! Much appreciated. I think I'll go for Noctua! 

[Stefan Payne]

2 hours ago, WoodenMarker said:

Both are excellent but NF-A12x25's are better.

Reviews and benchmarks show SW3's as similar at best but generally worse.

Ähm, you forgot to quote the thing I've said a bit later:
 

Quote

Depends if you want to trade Airflow for Noise a bit. 

be quiet's fan geometry is a bit more optimized towards Noise (and their PSU, the Consumer fans are just something they take because of the fans they want in PSU), Noctua's a bit better allrounder.

 

As for the Bearing:
Isn't the be quiet bearing a bit better than the magnetic assisted Noctua one?

 

But in the end, both are good fans anyway.

[WoodenMarker]

14 minutes ago, Stefan Payne said:

Ähm, you forgot to quote the thing I've said a bit later:

be quiet's fan geometry is a bit more optimized towards Noise (and their PSU, the Consumer fans are just something they take because of the fans they want in PSU), Noctua's a bit better allrounder.

 

As for the Bearing:
Isn't the be quiet bearing a bit better than the magnetic assisted Noctua one?

When SW3's are quieter, they perform much worse in benchmarks. In many tests, both fans are near the noise floor at extremely low rpm.

 

Noctua's SS02 bearing is essentially a custom FDB which probably isn't too different compared to SW3's FDB.

[Guest]

arctic 140mm silent

[_Hustler_One_]

If you want the similar performance to NF-A12x25 with neutral color, get the Nidec Gentle Typhoon

 

https://noctua.at/en/nf-a12x25-interview-lars-stromback

Quote

Lars Strömbäck (Noctua CTO): .....Of all the fans that could be considered looking similar to the NF-A12x25, the Nidec Gentle Typhoon proved to be the hardest competition, but we’re confident that our design is slightly superior......