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NOCTUA NF-S12 SERIES
Ambient noise at the time of testing was 19 dBA.
The retail package comes with lots of goodies.
|
Fast Version: NF-S12-1200
|
| Brand |
Noctua |
Power Rating |
0.12A / 1.44W |
| Manufacturer |
? |
Airflow Rating |
81 m³/h (48 CFM) |
| Model Number |
NF-S12-1200 |
RPM Rating |
1,200 RPM |
| Retail Availability |
Yes |
Noise Rating |
17 dBA |
| Bearing Type |
SSO Bearing |
Header Type |
3-pin |
| Hub Size |
1.63" |
Starting Voltage |
2.9V |
| Frame Size |
120 x 120 x 25 mm |
Number of Samples |
2 |
|
Voltage
|
Noise
|
RPM
|
CFM
|
Power
|
|
12V
|
25 dBA@1m
|
1250 RPM
|
63 CFM
|
1.32W
|
|
9V
|
21~22 dBA@1m
|
1020 RPM
|
52 CFM
|
1.00W
|
|
7V
|
~20 dBA@1m
|
840 RPM
|
42 CFM
|
0.79W
|
|
5V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
640 RPM
|
30 CFM
|
0.60W
|
|
@25 CFM (4.3V)
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
570 RPM
|
25 CFM
|
0.53W
|
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
|
25 dBA@1m
|
1250 RPM
|
38 CFM
|
1.32W
|
|
9V
|
21~22 dBA@1m
|
1020 RPM
|
28 CFM
|
1.00W
|
|
7V
|
~20 dBA@1m
|
840 RPM
|
23 CFM
|
0.79W
|
|
5V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
640 RPM
|
18 CFM
|
0.60W
|
|
@20 CFM (5.8V)
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
750 RPM
|
20 CFM
|
0.68W
|
|
Slow Version: NF-S12-800
|
| Brand |
Noctua |
Power Rating |
0.05A / 0.60W |
| Manufacturer |
? |
Airflow Rating |
59 m³/h (35 CFM) |
| Model Number |
NF-S12-800 |
RPM Rating |
800 RPM |
| Retail Availability |
Yes |
Noise Rating |
8 dBA |
| Bearing Type |
SSO Bearing |
Header Type |
3-pin |
| Hub Size |
1.63" |
Starting Voltage |
3.0V |
| Frame Size |
120 x 120 x 25 mm |
Number of Samples |
1 |
|
Voltage
|
Noise
|
RPM
|
CFM
|
Power
|
|
12V
|
~20 dBA@1m
|
820 RPM
|
41 CFM
|
0.59W
|
|
9V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
660 RPM
|
31 CFM
|
0.48W
|
|
7V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
530 RPM
|
24 CFM
|
0.40W
|
|
5V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
390 RPM
|
16 CFM
|
0.34W
|
|
@25 CFM (7.1V)
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
540 RPM
|
25 CFM
|
0.41W
|
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
|
~20 dBA@1m
|
820 RPM
|
22 CFM
|
0.59W
|
|
9V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
660 RPM
|
18 CFM
|
0.48W
|
|
7V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
530 RPM
|
12 CFM
|
0.40W
|
|
5V
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
390 RPM
|
8 CFM
|
0.34W
|
|
@20 CFM (10.5V)
|
<19 dBA@1m
|
750 RPM
|
20 CFM
|
0.53W
|
May 5, 2008
Noctua's unusual fin design did not fare well in our new, more accurate
test procedure. Please evaluate the new results carefully.
Noctua's unusual NF-S12 fans have been subject to a lot of hype. People have
been asking about these fans since before they were available anywhere, and
their odd color, unusual blade geometry and Noctua's canny PR have all done
their job to build expectations. The fact that they were developed by "the
Austrian Institute for Heat-Transmission and Fan Technology" and are rated
for absurdly low decibel counts probably helps as well. When reacting to hype
like this, a little cynicism is definitely in order, but there is room for some
optimism as well. The unique design of the fan makes it difficult to predict
what it will sound like without hearing it, but one thing is clear: Noctua is
doing more than just paying lip service to the concept of quiet computing. The
fan is like no other on the market, which means that somebody, somewhere must
have put some engineering into it. The tough question is this: Was the engineering
effective?
Signs are hopeful. The retail package doesn't skimp on the kind of extras that
appeal to silencers: Four firm silicone grommets for soft-mounting, and an adapter
("U.L.N.A.") with some kind of resistor or diode that can be installed
to drop fan speed to approximately half of stock.
The two available models spin at 1,200 and 800 RPM, and, with the help of the
U.L.N.A. adapter, that can be dropped to 600 or 500 RPM respectively. Our actual
tests showed the faster fan dropping from 1,250 to 640 RPM (~4.7V), while the
slower fan dropped from 820 to 550 RPM (~6.9V).
Accessories include silicone grommets, a Molex to 3-pin adapter, and U.L.N.A.:
"Ultra Low Noise Adapter".
Initially, we were quite skeptical that the unusually shaped fan blades could
live up to their claim to provide better than usual airflow at low speeds. A
similar blade design on an
80mm Mechatronics fan ended up being significantly less efficient
when we compared it to more conventional designs. Additionally, the unusually
wide clearance between the blade tip and the frame — intended to reduce
turbulence noise — made us wonder whether the blades had enough surface
area to move a significant amount of airflow.
Happily, the numbers proved Noctua's claims correct.
A close analysis of the data showed that, rotation for rotation, the Noctua
fans pushed about 20% more air than the rest of the fans in the test. Even better,
the Noctua fans did not lose efficiency until the rotation speed dropped to
~400 RPM, while other fans typically dropped off around ~500 RPM.
So much for airflow, but what about noise? Certainly, the Noctua fans had the
advantage of spinning more slowly to produce the same airflow, but we've long
since learned not to judge noise on the basis of rotation speed alone. Luckily,
the noise character seemed to consist mostly of the quiet, broadband whoosh
of airflow, making it very easy to ignore. Close listening revealed a very slight
buzz hidden underneath that gave the noise a slight edge that is absent in the
Nexus fan. In contrast, the Nexus sounded more tonal, with more emphasis in
the deeper frequencies.
Best of all, the better airflow efficiency meant that the Noctua was perceptibly
quieter at equivalent airflow than the Nexus. The difference wasn't large, and
at low speeds both were quiet enough to disappear entirely. Nevertheless, there
was enough difference around ~40 CFM for this reviewer to give the Noctua the
nod.
One final characteristic of the noise deserves some special mention. The Noctua
became inaudible relatively early in the test, meaning that it was impossible
to distinguish it from the background while it was running. But... the fan seemed
to have a subconscious "presence" that hung over the room even when
the fan was inaudible. The "presence" was noticeable as a change in
the background noise when the fan was turned on or off. The change was felt
more than heard; it was impossible to put a finger on just what changed, but
there was no doubt that something had. In short, Noctua did a very
good job of finding a noise character that blends easily into the background.
The subjective "quietness" of the fan can be attributed as much to
the fact that it is difficult to localize as to the amount of noise that
it generates.
Noise Recordings
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