Viewing page 2 of 6 pages.
Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next
NEXUS REAL SILENT CASE FAN D12SL-12
Ambient noise at the time of testing was 19 dBA.
The Nexus comes in two unusual color schemes.
| Brand |
Nexus |
Power Rating |
0.30A |
| Manufacturer |
Yate
Loon |
Airflow Rating |
36.87 CFM |
| Model Number |
D12SL-12 |
RPM Rating |
1,000 RPM |
| Retail Availability |
Yes |
Noise Rating |
22.8 dBA |
| Bearing Type |
Sleeve |
Header Type |
3-pin & Molex |
| Hub Size |
1.58" |
Starting Voltage |
5.5V |
| Frame Size |
120 x 120 x 25 mm |
Number of Samples |
4 |
|
Our thanks to EndPCNoise for supplying these samples.
|
|
Voltage
|
Noise
|
RPM
|
CFM
|
Power
|
|
12V
|
22 dBA@1m
|
1080 RPM
|
47 CFM
|
0.95W
|
|
9V
|
~19 dBA@1m
|
850 RPM
|
35 CFM
|
0.75W
|
|
7V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
680 RPM
|
27 CFM
|
0.62W
|
|
5V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
490 RPM
|
16 CFM
|
0.51W
|
|
@25 CFM (6.6V)
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
640 RPM
|
25 CFM
|
0.60W
|
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 dBA@1m
|
1080 RPM
|
29 CFM
|
0.95W
|
|
9V
|
~19 dBA@1m
|
850 RPM
|
23 CFM
|
0.75W
|
|
7V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
680 RPM
|
19 CFM
|
0.62W
|
|
5V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
490 RPM
|
13 CFM
|
0.51W
|
|
@20 CFM (7.6V)
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
740 RPM
|
20 CFM
|
0.59W
|
Nexus' 120mm fan (and the Yate
Loon models that it is derived from) is one of the most popular fans among
SPCR's regular readers, and for good reason. It may be a little on the expensive
side, as individually packaged fans often are, but the combination of a decent
noise level at maximum speed, a smooth, low frequency noise character, and its
ability to be inaudible at lower voltages make it a well loved favorite.
Despite spinning more slowly, the 120mm Nexus is slightly louder than its 80mm
counterpart at full speed. Presumably, the heavier fins require a more powerful
motor to drive them, or perhaps their larger surface area produces more turbulence
noise. Fortunately, it also blows double the amount of air, which more than
makes up for the noise difference. This is a prime example of why we recommend
120mm fans!
The point of inaudibility is somewhere around ~8V, so many users use the
7 volt trick for the best compromise between noise and airflow. We do not
recommend running the fan at 5V, as some samples have trouble starting at this
level.
As mentioned, the noise character is very low and smooth. This is ideal, since
the lower frequencies do not cover distance easily. From most usable distances,
the noise is a slight whoosh that is easy to ignore. A word of caution: Much
of the low frequency noise is present as vibration as well as sound and can
cause resonance if it is hard-mounted. At lower fan speeds, the vibration is
so low that this is not a concern, but those using the fan at high speed may
find that soft-mounting with silicone grommets may help cut down the low frequency
rumble that this fan produces.
Some users who care about appearances have shunned the Nexus for its bright
orange color. We're not sure what prompted Nexus to choose orange, of all colors,
but there has been enough outcry that Nexus now offers a black-and-white version
with the same noise characteristics as the original.
We did not notice any significant variation that could be tied to color, but
we did notice that sample variance seemed unusually high, and not all samples
we heard sounded as good as the best. One sample we heard just seemed to be
louder overall without any identifiable change in noise character, while another
had a slight ticking that marred the smoothness of the noise. Other users have
also reported some problem samples with ticking. The difference is not large,
and at some speeds it may be insignificant, but it is enough to be noticeable
in a quiet system.
Aside from that, the only disadvantages are shared with Nexus' 80mm fan: Closed flange screw holes that make wire clips unusable without modification, and sleeve bearings
that are inappropriate for horizontal mounting or high heat situations. Together,
these ensure that, while the Nexus is an excellent choice for a simple case
fan, it is less suitable for mission-critical operations such as a CPU heatsink
or a hot power supply.
The closed flange can make mounting a bit tricky.
Noise Recordings
ARX FD1212-A Series
Ambient noise at the time of testing was 19 dBA.
|
LOW SPEED (FD1212-A3053E)
|
| Brand |
ACT-RX |
Power Rating |
0.16A |
| Manufacturer |
ACT-RX |
Airflow Rating |
70.14 CFM |
| Model Number |
FD1212-A3053E |
RPM Rating |
2,000 RPM |
| Retail Availability |
Limited |
Noise Rating |
39 dBA |
| Bearing Type |
CeraDyna A |
Header Type |
3-pin |
| Hub Size |
1.99" |
Starting Voltage |
4.5V |
| Frame Size |
120 x 120 x 25 mm |
Number of Samples |
2 |
|
Voltage
|
Noise
|
RPM
|
CFM
|
Power
|
|
12V
|
33 dBA@1m
|
1430 RPM
|
57 CFM
|
0.85W
|
|
9V
|
27 dBA@1m
|
1050 RPM
|
42 CFM
|
0.56W
|
|
7V
|
26 dBA@1m
|
770 RPM
|
29 CFM
|
0.43W
|
|
5V
|
20 dBA@1m
|
470 RPM
|
16 CFM
|
0.31W
|
|
@25 CFM (6.4V)
|
21 dBA@1m
|
680 RPM
|
25 CFM
|
0.39W
|
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
|
33 dBA@1m
|
1430 RPM
|
40 CFM
|
0.85W
|
|
9V
|
27 dBA@1m
|
1050 RPM
|
25 CFM
|
0.56W
|
|
7V
|
26 dBA@1m
|
770 RPM
|
19 CFM
|
0.43W
|
|
5V
|
20 dBA@1m
|
470 RPM
|
11 CFM
|
0.31W
|
|
@20 CFM (7.6V)
|
21 dBA@1m
|
800 RPM
|
20 CFM
|
0.45W
|
A small thermal diode is all that distinguishes the thermally controlled
version from the regular one.
|
MEDIUM SPEED, THERMALLY CONTROLLED (FD1212-A2060E)
|
| Brand |
ACT-RX |
Power Rating |
0.27A |
| Manufacturer |
ACT-RX |
Airflow Rating |
87.02 CFM |
| Model Number |
FD1212-A2060E |
RPM Rating |
2,500 RPM |
| Retail Availability |
Limited |
Noise Rating |
46 dBA |
| Bearing Type |
CeraDyna A |
Header Type |
Molex pass-through |
| Hub Size |
1.99" |
Starting Voltage |
5.7V |
| Frame Size |
120 x 120 x 25 mm |
Number of Samples |
2 |
|
Voltage
|
Noise
|
RPM
|
CFM
|
Power
|
|
12V, Thermistor Short-Circuited
|
46 dBA@1m
|
2440 RPM
|
99 CFM
|
3.31W
|
|
9V, Thermistor Short-circuited
|
42 dBA@1m
|
1900 RPM
|
77 CFM
|
2.24W
|
|
7V, Thermistor Short-circuited
|
33 dBA@1m
|
1470 RPM
|
58 CFM
|
1.63W
|
|
5V, Thermistor Short-circuited
|
25 dBA@1m
|
980 RPM
|
39 CFM
|
1.06W
|
|
@25 CFM (4.6V)
|
25 dBA@1m
|
710 RPM
|
25 CFM
|
0.74W
|
|
@Default Speed (6.1V)
|
30 dBA@1m
|
1270 RPM
|
51 CFM
|
1.21W
|
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
|
46 dBA@1m
|
2440 RPM
|
79 CFM
|
3.31W
|
|
9V
|
42 dBA@1m
|
1900 RPM
|
57 CFM
|
2.24W
|
|
7V
|
33 dBA@1m
|
1470 RPM
|
41 CFM
|
1.63W
|
|
5V
|
25 dBA@1m
|
980 RPM
|
24 CFM
|
1.06W
|
|
@20 CFM (4.4V)
|
25 dBA@1m
|
810 RPM
|
20 CFM
|
0.72W
|
|
@Default Speed (6.1V)
|
30 dBA@1m
|
1270 RPM
|
34 CFM
|
1.21W
|
You've probably never heard of ACT-RX, its parent ARX, or its CeraDyna bearings.
As a Taiwanese OEM that generally sells directly to system integrators, that's
really no surprise, but their
web site is chock full of interesting (if poorly translated) technical information
about fans. Most of the information relates to CeraDyna, a proprietary ceramic
sleeve bearing, but a significant part of that information is specifically about
fan noise. In fact, along with reliability, noise is consistently mentioned
as one of the primary advantages of the CeraDyna bearings.
Naturally, this piqued our interest, so we were happy to take a look when we
acquired some samples. Unfortunately, our happiness evaporated as soon as we
started them up. Reliable they may be (we can only assume), but quiet? Sorry.
These ARX fans may well be the worst sounding fans we've ever tested.
We looked at two models: A "low speed" model, and a "medium
speed" model with thermal control. Although it is the slowest fan they
offer, the "low speed" model is hardly low speed by SPCR standards;
it's rated for 2,000 RPM and 39 dBA (uh oh). Strangely enough, both of our low
speed samples seemed to run at ~1,500 RPM, making us wonder whether our fans
were tweaked in any way. Slower or not, the clatter it produced did not disappear
even at 5V.
The thermally controlled version was even worse. In our 21°C test lab,
it spun at ~1,300 RPM by default. That's 30% more than the Nexus blows at full
tilt, and the 30 dBA@1m noise level was completely unacceptable. Even when the
thermistor was short-circuited and the input voltage was turned down to match
our 25 CFM target, the noise level never dropped below 25 dBA@1m. Our expectation
is that a good fan should be nearly inaudible at this level, and this fan clearly
failed to live up to it.
There's not really much more to say. We could go one and mention the poor noise
character and describe it in detail, but why make a bad reputation worse? If
you really want to know what the fans sound like, feel free to check the recordings
below. Otherwise, pretend you've still never heard about them and continue
reading on the next page...
Noise Recordings
JUMP TO:
| Help support this site, buy from one of our affiliate retailers! |
|
