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Stock Fan Measurements
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Specifications: Swiftech Polaris 120 Stock Fan
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Manufacturer
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?
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Power Rating
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3.84W |
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Model Number
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?
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Airflow Rating
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84 CFM |
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Bearing Type
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"Hydraumatic" |
Speed Rating
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2500 ±250 RPM |
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Corners
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Open |
Noise Rating
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41.5 dBA |
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Frame Size
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120 x 120 x 25 mm |
Header Type
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4-pin PWM |
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Fan Blade Diameter
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112 mm |
Starting Voltage
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3.7 V |
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Hub Size
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40 mm |
Weight
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120 g |
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Data in green cells provided by the manufacturer
or observed; data in the blue cells were measured.
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Though Swiftech provides detailed specifications, the fan lacks any identifying markers. It has the appearance of a typical 120 mm axial DC fan with seven white blades and a black housing. The trailing edges are nearly parallel with the struts, increasing the likelihood of tonal elements in its acoustic profile.
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Stock Fan Measurements
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Voltage
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Avg. Speed
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SPL@1m
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12V
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2400 RPM
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42~43 dBA
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9V
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1890 RPM
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36~37 dBA
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7V
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1540 RPM
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30 dBA
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5V
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1090 RPM
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20~21 dBA
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4V
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800 RPM
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15 dBA
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3.7V*
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690 RPM
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12~13 dBA
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* Starting voltage.
Measuring mic positioned 1m at diagonal angle from
the center of the heatsink.
Ambient noise level: 10~11 dBA.
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With a high maximum speed, the stock fan is very loud, turbulent and whiny from 12V all the way down to 7V. It sounds fairly smooth at about 5V, and the fan speed is equivalent to that of many low speed fans at full tilt. At 4V and below, it develops a noticeable hum. At no point does the fan become inaudible, as even at its starting voltage of 3.7V, it measures 12~13 dBA@1m.
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The Polaris 120 stock fan becomes quiet at about 4V.
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Cooling Results
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Swiftech Polaris 120
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Fan Voltage
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SPL@1m
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Temp
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°C Rise
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Stock 120mm Fan
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12V
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42~43 dBA
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60°C
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39
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9V
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36~37 dBA
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62°C
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41
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7V
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30 dBA
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63°C
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42
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5V
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20~21 dBA
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68°C
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47
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4V
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15 dBA
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75°C
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54
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3.7V
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12~13 dBA
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80°C
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59
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Reference 120mm Fan
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12V
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16 dBA
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67°C
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46
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9V
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13 dBA
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70°C
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49
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7V
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12 dBA
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75°C
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54
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2 x Reference 120mm Fan
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12V
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19 dBA
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64°C
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43
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9V
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14 dBA
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67°C
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46
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7V
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12 dBA
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70°C
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49
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| °C Rise: Temperature rise above ambient (21°C)
at load. |
The Polaris 120 performed pretty well, but only at higher speeds with the stock fan producing 30 dBA@1m or higher. At 5V, cooling performance was fairly poor. Further drops in speed resulted in significant cooling degradation. With its stock fan, the Polaris makes a terrible quiet cooler.
The Polaris fared much better with our reference Nexus fan, producing a 5~10°C improvement at the 12~13 dBA@1m levels. As the Polaris 120 is rather thick, we tried a second fan in push-pull configuration for improved air pressure. This only improved cooling by 3°C at 12V and 9V. A 5°C difference was recorded 7V.
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