Noctua fans - help me pick which one

[Bingy]

Hey what Noctua Fan should I get from these 120mm ones

Noctua NF-P12 120mm Ultra Silent Fan, Vortex-Control - 1300/1100/900 rpm
Noctua NF-S12B FLX 120mm 1200/900/600 rpm SSO-Bearing
Noctua NF-S12B ULN 120mm 700/500 rpm SSO-Bearing

I need it for my TRUE-120, or I could swap it for a front antec case fan and put the new more silient Noctua fan in the front pannel harddrive bay.

Being Quiet is a high priority.
I thought I would eliminate the NF-S12B ULN because the NF-S12B FLX can get to 100rpm above the lowest setting of the NF-S12B ULN(no reall difference), meaning the NF-S12B FLX has more advantage over it/more range of speeds.

Now I cant choose between the NF-P12 120mm and the NF-S12B FLX. The NF-S12B FLX has more range of speeds to 100 rpm below the NF-P12, a middle 900rpm and an option to make it completely silient at 600rpm.

I also found some reviews which showed the NF-S12B FLX having 1200rpm producing more air/CFM at a lower dBA then the NF-P12 at 1300rpm, and NF-S12B FLX again has more CFM and lower dBA over the NF-P12 when both are at 900rpm.
Can someone say why would you want to get the NF-P12 over the NF-S12B FLX and what are the advantages over it.

Thanks for your help.

 

[LePhuronn]

The NF-P12 has much higher static air pressure making it better suited for tower heatsinks (you can see 9 blades instead of 7).

The NF-S12 shifts a lot of air at lower RPM so it's good for case air flow.

So, what do you want to with your fan? The Noctua site actually recommends which fan for which job: http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=which_fan&lng=en

 

[Bingy]

The NF-P12 has much higher static air pressure making it better suited for tower heatsinks (you can see 9 blades instead of 7).

The NF-S12 shifts a lot of air at lower RPM so it's good for case air flow.

So, what do you want to with your fan? The Noctua site actually recommends which fan for which job: http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=which_fan&lng=en

(MAJOR EDIT/REDO TO FIRST POST)
Thats what I thought the P12 would be better or is designed more specifically for being a heatstink fan
but these are five review test that Ive seen were the S12 FLX gives lower temps on a True-120 compared to a P12.

P12 vs NF-S12B FLX - comparison
http://www.dragonsteelmods.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13148&Itemid=1
http://gilgameshreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85%3Anf-s12b-flx&catid=54%3Aair-cooling&Itemid=58&limitstart=4
http://www.xsreviews.co.uk/reviews/misc-coolers/noctua-nf-s12b-flx/4
http://performancehardware.net/reviews/noctua-nf-s12b-flx-review/6/
http://hardwarebistro.com/index.php?option=com_simple_review&Itemid=84&review=103-Noctua-NF-S12B-FLX-Cooling-Fan-Review


All using the TRUE-120, besides the last 5th review
The P12 only wins with 2 of them(on one review) on a true-120 which I reckon is a waste of money.


http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=which_fan&lng=en
True-120 must have wide fin-spacing?
"As shown by the results, the NF-S12B FLX is a wonderful piece of engineering and technological advancement! However one thing that has become apparent in the use of the fan, is that there is now less need for the P12. With the S12B FLX performing better in low impedance situations of which most of the market will be using. The P12 is then pushed further into the corner as an 'extreme product' for use by those that use radiators with tight fin spacings, which in terms of market share is a very small percentage."

The only con I see is the "Lower Static Pressure than NF-P12" but the results show lower cpu temps.

http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=which_fan&lng=en
Doesnt it depend if the TRUE-120 has wide fin-spacing or tight fin-spacing? Looking at those reviews it shows it has wide fin-spacing?

 

[LePhuronn]

Noctua can say all they want, but if real-world tests show the FLX works better with the TRUE then go with the tangible evidence.

Personally I'm getting a pair of green Gelid Wing 12 fans for my TRUE Black Rev C (or Mega Shadow - depends on clearance over my RAM).

 

[Bingy]

kk, I choose noctua cause I would really like to replace all my 120mm fans with them and get a silent case with no noise unless you really listen or put your head up to it. and noctua seem the best fan brand for getting your fans the quietiest and getting a bonus in CFM compared to others at the same RPM/dBA

 

[LePhuronn]

I will admit that my choice of fan is largely influenced by aesthetics (I am a designer as well as a geek!) and I just don't like the Noctua colours. However if I go for the TRUE Black and use the fan holders instead of clips I'll go Noctua because you can't see the colours then lol

Good luck on your set-up!

 

[ubernoobie]

get yateloon medium speeds with a fan controller and do that

 

[LePhuronn]

"get yateloon medium speeds with a fan controller and do that"

Me or the OP? I have trouble finding Yate Loons in the UK and I'm not sure about their performance on heatsinks.

Do you have any links?