Is there a difference between the Noctua NF-S12A and S12B fans besides color?

[Bleedingyamato]

I'm considering getting this fan to see what it's like for noise but I'm unclear about what the difference between the S12A which has brown blades that are ugly and the S12B version that is grey.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KF7PPY4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[Aytex]

The S12B is discontinued A is the newer product 

[WoodenMarker]

The NF-S12A is a newer revision and uses the updated SS02 bearing along with some other structural changes. 

It's performs a bit better, is quieter, and is currently my favorite fan. <3

1 minute ago, Aytex said:

The S12B is discontinued A is the newer product 

They're still available in their Redux line.

[Aytex]

2 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

They're still available in their Redux line.

Oh, thats the flex model .-.

 

ayy 15,337 posts 

[WoodenMarker]

1 minute ago, Aytex said:

Oh, thats the flex model .-.

ayy 15,337 posts .-. 

The Redux NF-S12B also comes in PWM and ULN.

[Aytex]

1 minute ago, WoodenMarker said:

The Redux NF-S12B also comes in PWM and ULN.

Oh, thought there was only one  

"The more you know"

[Bleedingyamato]

17 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

The NF-S12A is a newer revision and uses the updated SS02 bearing along with some other structural changes. 

It's performs a bit better, is quieter, and is currently my favorite fan. <3

They're still available in their Redux line.

So the A is actually the newer version?

 

Why does the better fan have to be poo brown?  ?

 

17 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

The Redux NF-S12B also comes in PWM and ULN.

What's the difference?

 

16 minutes ago, Aytex said:

Oh, thats the flex model .-.

 

ayy 15,337 posts 

Flex model?

[Aytex]

4 minutes ago, Bleedingyamato said:

 

Flex model?

Theres 3 models I think

FLX 

ULN

and PWM

Or more idk

But the 12a is the successor

 

And about the poo color, I say go for ML 120 pro's or Noiseblockers B12's  if that bothers you

[WoodenMarker]

2 minutes ago, Bleedingyamato said:

So the A is actually the newer version?

Why does the better fan have to be poo brown?  ?

What's the difference?

Flex model?

Yes, the NF-S12A is newer.

No, it doesn't have to be brown but it's brilliant marketing since their fans are instantly recognizable and noctua probably wouldn't be as successful without it.

Noctuas tend to come in FLX, ULN, and PWM.

FLX: 'Flexible' rpm range 3pin fan that's useful for most people

ULN: Ultra low-noise which is basically a FLX with a lower rpm range

PWM: 4pin fans that use pwm as opposed to DC

 

PWM and DC are different ways to power a fan. PWM pulses 12v to variate fan speed whereas DC varies the voltage for a similar result. Since it takes a certain amount of voltage to start a fan spinning, pwm can often reach lower minimum rpm's.

[Bleedingyamato]

22 minutes ago, Aytex said:

Theres 3 models I think

FLX 

ULN

and PWM

Or more idk

But the 12a is the successor

 

And about the poo color, I say go for ML 120 pro's or Noiseblockers B12's  if that bothers you

It bothers me a LOT.  I actually already ordered the 2 pack of the ML120 to use in my main desktop:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G5I6MRK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I have no idea if the ML120 2 pack is different from the single ML120 Pro that's listed though.  

 

18 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

Yes, the NF-S12A is newer.

No, it doesn't have to be brown but it's brilliant marketing since their fans are instantly recognizable and noctua probably wouldn't be as successful without it.

Noctuas tend to come in FLX, ULN, and PWM.

FLX: 'Flexible' rpm range 3pin fan that's useful for most people

ULN: Ultra low-noise which is basically a FLX with a lower rpm range

PWM: 4pin fans that use pwm as opposed to DC

 

PWM and DC are different ways to power a fan. PWM pulses 12v to variate fan speed whereas DC varies the voltage for a similar result. Since it takes a certain amount of voltage to start a fan spinning, pwm can often reach lower minimum rpm's.

Successful they may be but idk if I could look past the color.   I'll still consider getting one though.  Maybe seeing is believing in this case?

 

I mean maybe it'd wow me enough to look past the awful color.  

[WoodenMarker]

3 minutes ago, Bleedingyamato said:

It bothers me a LOT.  I actually already ordered the 2 pack of the ML120 to use in my main desktop:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G5I6MRK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1\

I have no idea if the ML120 2 pack is different from the single ML120 Pro that's listed though.  

Successful they may be but idk if I could look past the color.   I'll still consider getting one though.  Maybe seeing is believing in this case?

I mean maybe it'd wow me enough to look past the awful color.  

ML's and ML Pros are identical asides from the rubber corners, led options, and having black blades on the Pros instead of grey.

From my experience, it seems that it's a 50/50 chance that someone who starts to use noctua will grow fond of them over time.

NF-S12A's are definitely quieter than pretty much every other fan I've played with and I'm a guy with a drawer-full and more fans.

[Bleedingyamato]

13 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

ML's and ML Pros are identical asides from the rubber corners, led options, and having black blades on the Pros instead of grey.

From my experience, it seems that it's a 50/50 chance that someone who starts to use noctua will grow fond of them over time.

NF-S12A's are definitely quieter than pretty much every other fan I've played with and I'm a guy with a drawer-full and more fans.

Good to know about the ML120.  

 

But is the S12A quieter because it runs at a slower speed or because the fan is just that well designed?

 

Quiet is important but it's sort of cheating if it's only achieved by decreased speed and airflow.  

[WoodenMarker]

2 minutes ago, Bleedingyamato said:

Good to know about the ML120.  

But is the S12A quieter because it runs at a slower speed or because the fan is just that well designed?

Quiet is important but it's sort of cheating if it's only achieved by decreased speed and airflow.  

The NF-S12A is quieter because of the motor, bearing, and structural design. Noctua has descriptions of the technology used in the fan on their website. http://noctua.at/en/nf-s12a-pwm

The fan performs well but it isn't in the same category as ML's which are high airflow, moderate-noise fans as opposed to fans that are supposed to be quiet with decent performance.

[Bleedingyamato]

5 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

The NF-S12A is quieter because of the motor, bearing, and structural design. Noctua has descriptions of the technology used in the fan on their website. http://noctua.at/en/nf-s12a-pwm

The fan performs well but it isn't in the same category as ML's which are high airflow, moderate-noise fans as opposed to fans that are supposed to be quiet with decent performance.

Oh.    I'd thought the ML120 was supposed to rather quiet due to the magnetic bearing?

[WoodenMarker]

2 minutes ago, Bleedingyamato said:

Oh.    I'd thought the ML120 was supposed to rather quiet due to the magnetic bearing?

The magnetic bearing allows it to be much quieter at high rpm's relative to a similar fan using different bearings. 

It doesn't make it magic though and NF-S12A's are pretty close.

[Bleedingyamato]

7 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

The magnetic bearing allows it to be much quieter at high rpm's relative to a similar fan using different bearings. 

It doesn't make it magic though and NF-S12A's are pretty close.

It's not magic?  ?

 

A supernaturally quiet magic fan would be nice.  I've had a crazy hard time finding a quiet enough fan.  

 

 

I have a question: if the S12A is meant for general use with decent enough airflow why do the fan blades look like this?

 

 

I mean they look rather similar to the shape/style of the blades on a Corsair SP120 static pressure fan.  

 

See?

 

 

[WoodenMarker]

4 minutes ago, Bleedingyamato said:

It's not magic?  ?

A supernaturally quiet magic fan would be nice.  I've had a crazy hard time finding a quiet enough fan.  

I have a question: if the S12A is meant for general use with decent enough airflow why do the fan blades look like this?

I mean they look rather similar to the shape/style of the blades on a Corsair SP120 static pressure fan.  

See?

They don't look similar to me asides from both being 120mm fans.

The SP120 has wider sweeping blades whereas the NF-S12A has thin shallow ones with small bumps. 

[Bleedingyamato]

4 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

They don't look similar to me asides from both being 120mm fans.

The SP120 has wider sweeping blades whereas the NF-S12A has thin shallow ones with small bumps. 

 

Maybe I'm just too tired..  

 

All I know will never buy a corsair Af120 or SP120 fan again.  Or at least they won't be my first choice.  The SP120 especially is way too loud.  My poor ears when I'd tried those out for my secondary desktop...  ?

[WoodenMarker]

2 minutes ago, Bleedingyamato said:

Maybe I'm just too tired..  

All I know will never buy a corsair Af120 or SP120 fan again.  Or at least they won't be my first choice.  The SP120 especially is way too loud.  My poor ears when I'd tried those out for my secondary desktop...  ?

SP120 and AF120 QE's are pretty good but every other variation is much worse from my experience. 

I find that I have to clarify that I'm referring to the ringed versions since most people don't realize every other variant has additional tags in the model name and leave them out.

[Bleedingyamato]

15 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

SP120 and AF120 QE's are pretty good but every other variation is much worse from my experience. 

I find that I have to clarify that I'm referring to the ringed versions since most people don't realize every other variant has additional tags in the model name and leave them out.

Oh..    I have a couple AF120 quiet edition fans and a blue led version.   

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F6S10DC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007RESG7G/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Is the led version the "much worse" you mention?  Or is there another version?

[WoodenMarker]

5 minutes ago, Bleedingyamato said:

Is the led version the "much worse" you mention?  Or is there another version?

Yes, the LED versions are much worse.

PE's are not as bad but still worse and especially so for the SP120.

The stock AF/SP120L's seem to be stripped down PE's.

 

The SP120 RGB seems decent though although I haven't had personal experience with it.

[Bleedingyamato]

2 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

Yes, the LED versions are much worse.

PE's are also worse and especially so for the SP120.

The stock AF/SP120L's seem to be stripped down PE's.

 

The SP120 RGB seems decent though although I haven't had personal experience with it.

PE's?  

[WoodenMarker]

Just now, Bleedingyamato said:

PE's?  

Performance Editions as opposed to the QE's (Quiet Editions) I mentioned earlier.

[Bleedingyamato]

7 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

Performance Editions as opposed to the QE's (Quiet Editions) I mentioned earlier.

Ohhhh.  I forgot about those.