Have I just found the best fan ever? - And its not a Nocuta.

[BigAl Tech]

I found this BitFenix 120mm fan on a random site and started comparing the specs to a Noctua NF-F12 and the numbers look very promising. I may have to buy some of these.

 

 

 

Here are the numbers, 

 

                    BitFenix                             Noctua

 

Speed       1200 RPM ±10%                          1500 RPM +/-10%          1200 RPM +/-10% (w/ L.N.A)

 

Noise        18.9 dB(A)                                      22.4 dBA,                       18.6 dBA (w/ L.N.A.)

 

Airflow       56.22 CFM ±10%                        93.4 m3/h max.,                74.3 m3/h (w/ L.N.A.)

  

                                          (In CFM)    55.013 CFM                       43.723 CFM                 

 

Price        9.90 + 4.50(shipping)          23.99 on newegg

 

 

 

Calculation = 1m3/h = .589 CFM     93.4 m3/h x .589 = 55.0137

 

 

[Bluejay0]

You have to account blade design too and bearings. Noctuas tend to not work as much to achieve better flow. 

[CoolBeans]

No, because there are better fans than Noctuas, and Noctuas can be undervolted to make almost no noise

[_ASSASSIN_]

this is the only place I trust when it comes to fan performance and watercooling, of course this is air cooling, but I'm not too sure of that website
http://martinsliquidlab.org/

[_ASSASSIN_]

No, because there are better fans than Noctuas, and Noctuas can be undervolted to make almost no noise

that's the benefit they have

[WunderWuffle]

Those specs are usually meaningless. 

 

For instance, what would be more annoying? A high pitch whine at 1200 RPM, or a the sound of air being pushed at 1200 RPM? Those 2 might clock in at the same DB reading, but one of them is much more annoying.

[FloRolf]

The Noctuas have a much better air pressure which makes them better for watercooling.

[BigAl Tech]

The Noctuas have a much better air pressure which makes them better for watercooling.

I didn't post the spec because I wasn't sure of it but I believe the Noctua has about double the static pressure

[CthulDude]

I have taken both CFM and static pressure readings from both fans. The spectre pro is quieter, but underwhelming in performance. Infact, they're the quietest fan i have tested. Both fans channel air fairly well because of the design of the exhaust side of the fan housing. The NF F12 is a lot sturdier and uses .6w, whereas the spectre pro uses 2.16w. The spectre pro at 12v, 9v, 7v performs like a NF F12 at 9v, 7v, 5v. So if you were planning on running the NF F12 at 9v or lower than their performance is comparable and so is the noise level at each respective voltage.

 

Noctua NF F12 - Airflow: 51.61CFM(12v) 39.64CFM(9v) 31.05CFM(7v) 21.94CFM(5v). Static Pressure:1.95mmH2O(12v) 1.19mmH2O(9v) 0.71mmH2O(7v) 0.35mmH2O(5v) (note: needs to be spun to start at 5v)

 

Bitfenix Spectre Pro - Airflow: 37.20CFM(12v) 28.40CFM(9v) 23.32CFM(7v) 18.02CFM(5v) Static Pressure: 1.19mmH2O(12v) 0.73mmH2O(9v) 0.50mmH2O(7v) 0.25mmH2O(5v)

 

If you want a fan that has nearly the same CFM and static pressure as the NF F12, look into the Xigmatek XLF. Their performance is very close, but the NF F12 channels air a lot better and once again uses better parts while using just a fraction of the wattage.

 

Xigmatek XLF-F1253 - Airflow: 54.47CFM(12v) 44.83CFM(9v) 35.82CFM(7v) 26.18CFM(5v) Static Pressure: 2.03mmH2O(12v) 1.29mmH2O(9v) 0.83mmH2O(7v) 0.43mmH2O(5v)

[BigAl Tech]

I have taken both CFM and static pressure readings from both fans. The spectre pro is quieter, but underwhelming in performance. Infact, they're the quietest fan i have tested. Both fans channel air fairly well because of the design of the exhaust side of the fan housing. The NF F12 is a lot sturdier and uses .6w, whereas the spectre pro uses 2.16w. The spectre pro at 12v, 9v, 7v performs like a NF F12 at 9v, 7v, 5v. So if you were planning on running the NF F12 at 9v or lower than their performance is comparable and so is the noise level at each respective voltage.

 

Noctua NF F12 - Airflow: 51.61CFM(12v) 39.64CFM(9v) 31.05CFM(7v) 21.94CFM(5v). Static Pressure:1.95mmH2O(12v) 1.19mmH2O(9v) 0.71mmH2O(7v) 0.35mmH2O(5v) (note: needs to be spun to start at 5v)

 

Bitfenix Spectre Pro - Airflow: 37.20CFM(12v) 28.40CFM(9v) 23.32CFM(7v) 18.02CFM(5v) Static Pressure: 1.19mmH2O(12v) 0.73mmH2O(9v) 0.50mmH2O(7v) 0.25mmH2O(5v)

 

If you want a fan that has nearly the same CFM and static pressure as the NF F12, look into the Xigmatek XLF. Their performance is very close, but the NF F12 channels air a lot better and once again uses better parts while using just a fraction of the wattage.

 

Xigmatek XLF-F1253 - Airflow: 54.47CFM(12v) 44.83CFM(9v) 35.82CFM(7v) 26.18CFM(5v) Static Pressure: 2.03mmH2O(12v) 1.29mmH2O(9v) 0.83mmH2O(7v) 0.43mmH2O(5v)

Wow thats awesome, thanks.

[Zeals]

Word of warning technology specifications especially for fans can lie to make them seem better, for example a lot for PWM fans quote minimum noise as noise.

Also anyone do any tests on Noiseblocker?

[BigAl Tech]

Word of warning technology specifications especially for fans can lie to make them seem better, for example a lot for PWM fans quote minimum noise as noise.

Also anyone do any tests on Noiseblocker?

This video gives some subjective noise comparisons.

 

http://youtu.be/zxDfGvn3XnA

[orangecat]

Specs really don't matter when it comes to Noctua. What makes a Noctua fan better if the build quality and the design of the blades. Yea maybe a certain fan might be quieter or pushes more air but the blades can have added drag or some other problem. not to mention noctua fans are about as good as it gets in terms of the quality and technology that goes into them.