Looking for best Noctua Fans for strictly airflow?

KalebJohns · Jul 17, 2014

Hey, all. Looking at buying some different fans for my Prodigy M that aren't nearly as loud as my current Spectre Pro 120 fans. Right now, I have two of these fans up on top on a Xigmatex fan controller, which has the fans running about 700 RPM, and it's still has a very noticeable hum. They move a nice amount of air, but I can't stand the noise. I was looking at the NF-F12, NF-S12A ULN, but I hate the brown/tan scheme. I also looked at the redux series from Noctua, but I don't know if I'd rather have a static pressure fan or a silent airflow fan.

For just straight air intake through the removable grill on top of the Prodigy M, which would be better? A static pressure fan, or an air flow optimized fan? If you also have any suggestions on other silent/good airflow fans, I'd like to know if there's anything worth purchasing over a noctua. Thanks

TheMagicalWallaby · Jul 17, 2014

According to Noctua, the NF-S12A is the best fan for an open environment. That is the fans you want. There are black versions of their static pressure fans and their 140mm fans, but I would recommend the s12a FLX.

However, if there is resistance (a medium amount), the NF-P12 is a balance between the NF-S12A and the NF-F12. Noctua recommends the NF-P12 when you need some static pressure, but you are not necessarily needed the fan for a radiator or such.

volcanoscout · Jul 17, 2014

For such a small case, I don't think you're going to see a huge difference in effect between a static pressure and a high-cfm general use fan. That being said, the NF-S12A moves a LOT of air for a 120mm. I wouldn't bother with the ULN version - you get a reduction in airflow, but not much difference in noise level. The S12A is already so quiet, a ULN version seems redundant.

The NF-F12 will work very well also, and is only slightly louder than the S12A. I've used both versions on separate builds, and in the same build to modify case air pressure levels.

Karadjgne · Jul 17, 2014

Personally, I'd use a couple of the S12-a pwm as exhaust, not intake, considering they are top mounted fans directly above the gpu. You should have a 200mm on the bottom as intake and that's more than sufficient for such a small case. Being high airflow fans they'll have a good amount of draw, even if turned down to 600 rpm or so, which on those fans is dead silent. Those 2 fans have enough exhaust capability that you could even notuse the rear exhaust, further cutting down on possible noise sources.

TheMagicalWallaby · Jul 17, 2014

Karadjgne :

In the weirdness of the prodigy m, the top fans are supposed to be intakes as the are smacked against the GPU fans.
I never understood that case. the prodigy line confuses me with the bottom exhaust, and top intake, along with a weird motherboard orientation.

Karadjgne · Jul 18, 2014

Heat rises. With the exhaust directly above the gpu you'll run cooler. With the prodigy m, if you use a CLC, case temps will be much cooler as the CPUs heat is vented directly out of the case.

With a 200mm intake, you have @600cu.mm of air input, 2x 120mm exhaust is @720cu.mm of air removal, so they can run slower.

KalebJohns · Jul 19, 2014

Wow, thanks for the all the responses. Sorry I haven't check my messages in a while!

TheMagicalWallaby :

I'm thinking about swapping my CM Hyper 212 Evo for a Corsair H90 or similar, would I want static pressure then?

To volcanoscout, you're right, ULN seems a bit redundant, but 11 dBA is amazing!

Karadjgne, the Prodigy M is a bit of a weird case with its airflow setup, but it's really nice when your case is sitting on top of an air duct in the summer. I have 2 of the 120 Spectre fans that came with the case on the bottom right now, with the spectre pro's on top, and two Cougar CF-V12HPB's (which are freaking turbines, and sound just as loud) on my CM Hyper Evo at the moment. It's worked well so far, but I'm worried about temps or a place to put this build in the winter, when the heat is on.

tb293009 · Jul 19, 2014

KalebJohns :

1) NICE PROFILE PICTURE!
2) you're going to flame me for this, but go for corsair performance series. airflow is far better than noctua, but you will hear them a bit.

air flow optimized fans are good for everything, but you will see reduced flow on heatsinks and radiators.

volcanoscout · Jul 19, 2014

No flames - the SP120s are definitely good fans, but as you said, you're going to hear them. They're cheaper by about $1 right now, if purchased individually, and they push .23CFM more air (63.5 to 63.27) than the S12A PWM, and they come in better colors.

I've tried a number of different brands and models, including the SP120s and SP120 Quiets, and they were very good...but all of my desktop PCs (four at the moment) are stocked with Noctuas. No clicks, whistles, buzzes, hums...just nice, smooth, quiet air flow.

Karadjgne · Jul 19, 2014

here's the biggest difference between the sp120's and the NF's. The blades. In order for the SP's to get that impressive airflow/static pressure, they have to be running at max speed, or 2350 rpm. The NF's are optimized and Noctua has done some serious research into blades and bearings, so will do about the same job in 1/2 the rpm. Most people have a real hard time hearing anything below @20db, as that's quieter than a soft whisper. Run any of the NF's below 900 RPM, and that's considered below 20db, so good luck hearing them. An example would be the Quiet Edition SP's, they run at max 1450rpm, 1.3mmH2O 38CFM, 23db vrs HP versions 2350rpm, 3.1mmH2O, 63CFM, 35db vrs NF-F12pwm 1500rpm 2.6mmH2O, 55CFM at 22db! NF-s12a pwm 1200rpm, 1.2mmH2O, 63CFM, 19db.

I'll stick with my NF-F12pwm on my rad thanks, and for the same airflow SP120HP vrs NF-S12A both at 63 CFM, I'd take the 19db over 35db any day.

KalebJohns · Jul 21, 2014

tb293009 - Thanks haha. Big jailbreak community enthusiast

I've used some SP120's in my life, and karadjgne brings up a good point, the only SP120 that I can stand is the Quiet Edition, and even then, I still can't stand the airflow noise. They work wonders on my brother's 750D though!

On another, similar, topic; If I were getting a radiator, say, Corsair H90, should I go with the NF-A14 FLX or NF-A15 PWM? Sorry, I've probably beat this thread to death with questions lol.

Thanks for all the help! Really appreciated

volcanoscout · Jul 21, 2014

PWM control or voltage? I think you'll have issues trying to mount the A15 as it's mounting holes are 120mm even though the fan is 140mm. According to Noctua, the NF-A14 FLX is designed to work with radiators, but does well as a case fan also.

Edit: I would just go with the NF-A14 PWM. They have a higher RPM and CFM, work fine on voltage control vs PWM, and give you the option of using it with PWM if you want to use it in another fan position or build.

volcanoscout · Jul 21, 2014

Beating threads to death is the favorite hobby of all the site regulars! These guys pass on meals and sleep to get a good beating in

Karadjgne · Jul 21, 2014

Ok, pass the bat, its my turn again!

Most motherboards come with a 4-pin CPU fan header. Now here is the gimmick on that one particular header... Ready? It's not able to control a fan using voltage. If you hook a regular 3-pin faninto CPU_fan it'll run at max speed, constantly. So if you want any kind of control whatsoever, you will need a PWM. No ifs, no buts, that's it.

volcanoscout · Jul 21, 2014

Actually, that depends on the mobo and the BIOS/UEFI. I've been able to exercise some pretty fine control of non-PWM fans through the CPU_Fan and CPU_Opt on three different Asus mobos. Just a matter of switching the Q-Fan setting to "Advanced" from "Auto". A perfect example would be the stock non-pwm NF-P12 and NF-P14 that come with the NH-D14. I was able to set the idle at @ 300 RPM and use a custom profile to gradually ramp it up to max. I believe Gigabyte's Smart Fan does something similar, but with a higher minimum duty cycle. Not sure about the other brands.

Karadjgne · Jul 21, 2014

I have an Asus mobo, and q-fan is advanced for all my fans. Still no control, either through bios or fan-expert. I tried speedfan and same result. I believe you may get control on the RoG boards but in my bios, duty cycle for CPU fan is locked at 100. There is also 0 control, either voltage or pwm for my CPU_opt header, its basically a straight up 12v source for a fan connection.

KalebJohns · Jul 27, 2014

Bought a couple S12A's from Micro Center, and they work better as intakes. I also bought two for my Hyper 212 Evo, and overall, I've seen a temp difference of 10 centigrade, and my case is now whisper quiet. Thanks all

volcanoscout · Jul 27, 2014

Good on you - enjoy the peace and quiet!

Looking for best Noctua Fans for strictly airflow?

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