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DELTA AFB0812SH
Ambient noise at the time of testing was 18 dBA.
| Brand |
Delta
Electronics, Inc. |
Power Rating |
0.34A / 4.08W |
| Manufacturer |
Delta Electronics, Inc. |
Airflow Rating |
46.62 CFM |
| Model Number |
AFB0812SH |
RPM Rating |
4,000 RPM |
| Retail Availability |
Yes |
Noise Rating |
40 dBA |
| Bearing Type |
Ball |
Header Type |
3-pin |
| Hub Size |
1.47" |
Starting Voltage |
3.0V |
| Frame Size |
80 x 80 x 25 mm |
Number of Samples |
1 |
|
Voltage
|
Noise
|
RPM
|
CFM
|
Power
|
|
12V
|
44 dBA@1m
|
3790 RPM
|
59 CFM
|
3.45W
|
|
9V
|
35 dBA@1m
|
2910 RPM
|
45 CFM
|
2.23W
|
|
7V
|
28 dBA@1m
|
2230 RPM
|
34 CFM
|
1.54W
|
|
5V
|
24 dBA@1m
|
1440 RPM
|
22 CFM
|
1.02W
|
|
@10 CFM (3.4V)
|
20 dBA@1m
|
760 RPM
|
10 CFM
|
0.67W
|
We said we would include one really noisy fan in the round up, and this is
it. Delta fans have long had a reputation for being screamers, and this model
certainly justifies it. However, given the large number of fans that Delta sells,
it's not inconceivable that they do have some quieter models. It's hard to expect
any fan to be quiet when it's whirring along at 4,000 RPM. This fan has
all the hallmarks of a noisy, high speed fan. Foremost among them: A high electrical
rating (the label reads 0.51A, but Delta's most recent spec sheet claims less)
and a chunky center hub with a ball bearing that can stand up to the torque of high speed operation.
Strangely, while our measurements showed the fan spinning slightly below its
rated speed, noise and especially airflow were higher than Delta's specifications.
We measured the fan's rated airflow at just above 9V. Perhaps Delta's specifications
take into account the fact that fans are not typically used in open air?
One thing that surprised us was how much power was required to drive the fan
at full speed. Most of the other (slower) fans that we looked at required less
than a full watt at full speed, but the Delta ate up almost three and a half
watts. Some of this can be attributed to the Delta's higher top speed, but consider
this: The two thirds of a watt required to drive the Delta at 3.4V was higher
than the 0.57W required to drive the Nexus at full speed and twice the RPM.
The noise from the fan was... noisy. At lower speeds, the Delta clearly lost
out in terms of airflow-for-noise. At 5V, it blew as much air as a full speed
Nexus but was 4 dBA@1m louder. In the constant airflow test, the Delta was the
only fan we tested that we were able to measure above the background noise.
The noise at this level was chiefly the sharp clicking that seems prevalent
in so many ball bearing fans.
Noise Recordings
SCYTHE KAMA FLOW SA0825FDB12SL
Ambient noise at the time of testing was 19 dBA.
| Brand |
Scythe
Co., Ltd. |
Power Rating |
0.09A |
| Manufacturer |
Sony? |
Airflow Rating |
19 CFM |
| Model Number |
SA0825FDB12SL |
RPM Rating |
1,500±10% RPM |
| Retail Availability |
Japan Only |
Noise Rating |
14 dBA |
| Bearing Type |
FDB |
Header Type |
3-pin w/ Molex adapter |
| Hub Size |
1.41" |
Starting Voltage |
4.6V |
| Frame Size |
80 x 80 x 25 mm |
Number of Samples |
2 |
|
Voltage
|
Noise
|
RPM
|
CFM
|
Power
|
|
12V
|
22~23 dBA@1m
|
1570 RPM
|
24 CFM
|
0.48W
|
|
9V
|
~20 dBA@1m
|
1150 RPM
|
17 CFM
|
0.36W
|
|
7V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
850 RPM
|
11 CFM
|
0.28W
|
|
5V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
530 RPM
|
5 CFM
|
0.22W
|
|
@10 CFM (6.1V)
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
720 RPM
|
10 CFM
|
0.25W
|
May 5, 2008
The updated airflow results here are the result of improvements
in our testing procedures. They are more accurate than the original results
above, but they are not directly comparable. Please compare these only with
fan reviews published after May 5, 2008 — or ones that have updated
results published in a box like this one. |
|
12V
|
22~23 dBA@1m
|
1570 RPM
|
17 CFM
|
0.48W
|
|
9V
|
~20 dBA@1m
|
1150 RPM
|
12 CFM
|
0.36W
|
|
7V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
850 RPM
|
8 CFM
|
0.28W
|
|
5V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
530 RPM
|
5 CFM
|
0.22W
|
We subjected your ears to a horrible noise in the Delta AFB8012SH, and we're
sorry. We hope that this fan will make up for it.
Anyone familiar with Scythe's line of heatsinks knows that Scythe likes to
juggle about ten current models at a time. They pull a similar act with fans,
with at least four distinct lines. How do they manage to differentiate the various
fans? A very good question — one that we're not entirely sure how to answer.
Nevertheless, they do carry multiple fan models and this is one of them.
At the time of writing, this particular fan is only available in Japan, under
a name that transliterates to "Furou" (???) or, less literally, "Flow".
Three different versions are available: Standard, quiet, and super-quiet. Our
samples were the super-quiet variety, and we were pleased to note that they
did, in fact, seem to be quite quiet. Perhaps these are the retail equivalent
of the stock fan that Scythe has shipped with their recent heatsinks?
Aside from being reasonably low noise, this fan's biggest distinguishing characteristic
appears to be the use of Fluid Dynamic Bearings, similar to those used in modern hard
drives. Scythe's S-Flex line also uses these bearings, and it is possible that
our fan is a predecessor to the S-Flex line. FDB is an evolution of the sleeve bearing that provides the lowest noise (according to the manufacturers) and much prolonged life even under high heat conditions.
(See the discussion of FDB on page 2 of Anatomy of the Silent Fan.)
This fan is another one to rival the Nexus for noise. It blew a little more
air at full speed and spun a little faster to produce it, but the noise character
was almost the same: A smooth, low hum that only showed up at around 9V. From
our usual listening distance of one meter, we were unable to hear it at 7V and
below. So, here it is at last: A worthy competitor to the Nexus that we can
wholeheartedly recommend. It even has the FDB advantage of being usable in a variety of positions, not just vertical. Now, if only someone would bring us back a few dozen
from Japan...
Noise Recordings
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