Performance test
Like in previous review, we do not put two
fans into the charts to make the latter more easily noticeable. Those are the
Enermax T.B.SILENCE PWM (identical to the original version), LEPA Casino 4C and
Vortex (LPVX12P), Nanoxia FX EVO 120 PWM 1500 (the same as the Nanoxia FX EVO
120 IFC 1600 yet has a little lower rated speed), the two low-entry models of
the Scythe Gentle Typhoon High RPM series and the SilverStone SST-AP121-L (a
copy of its cousin having less shining lighting system).
The first diagram helps to compare the fans,
regarding noise levels. The lower the graph, the quieter the fan performs.
The
diagram compares noise levels
The high noise level, as expected, of the hi-speed
fans from Scythe and Koolance is noticeable. An unexpected surprise is the
Cooler Master Turbine Master MACH1.8 which is noisier, at the similar speed,
than the thick 38mm Koolance FAN-12038HBK-184 and has a nonlinear correlation
between speed and noise. The same problem occurs with the SilverStone SST-AP121
fans but they seem quieter than the Cooler Master. The Enermax T.B.SILENCE,
Zalman ZM-SF3 and the two Prolimatech Vortex 12 models aren’t good in terms of noise
level, either. In the last pair, the blue fan seems running quieter than the outstanding
red version. We observed a difference in the material used to make the frame
between these two models, hence it must be the reason for the difference in noise.
The Corsair SP120 can be complimented among
the hi-quality fans. It is superior to other products in performance and even defeats
its sibling – Corsair AF120, whose performance is only average. Plus, the three
Scythe Gentle Typhoon High RPM models (GELID Wing 12PL, Noctua NF-F12 PWM and
NZXT FN 120LB) are all good and on par with each other.
We can also consider extending the limit of
the comparison on the diagrams up to 36dBA (after this point, the noise is
considered inappropriate). The Koolance FAN-12038HBK-184, Koolance FAN-12025HBK
and the two hi-level Scythe Gentle Typhoon High RPM models are not mentioned as
their noise is hardly lower than 36dBA.
Noise-comparison
diagrams
Actually, this diagram is to illustrate
what we’ve mentioned above.
Next, we are going through two diagrams indicating
the correlation between noise and airflow. The lower the graph, the less noise is
made and the more air low is produced.
Noise/airflow
correlation diagrams
Noise/airflow
correlation diagrams
The Scythe Gentle Typhoon High RPM fans leads
the hi-speed products, defeating the two Koolance fans and the NZXT. The
Corsair SP120 ranks above the medium-speed models, but the Corsair AF120 is not
too far behind. The GELID Wing 12PL, Noctua NF-F12 PWM and SilverStone
SST-AP121 are all good. The Cooler Master Turbine Master MACH1.8 has a poor
result again, its multi-blade impeller doesn’t perform effectively. The Enermax
T.B.SILENCE, Zalman ZM-SF3 and Spire Air Force 120 LED also lose in this test.
The rest of the models result in average performance.
Now let’s check a comparative diagram indicating
the peak airflow that tested fans create.
Airflow
production diagrams
Therefore, if you want the strongest
airflow, we recommend the Koolance FAN-12038HBK-184 or one of the two hi-level
Scythe Gentle Typhoon High RPM models. The Koolance FAN-12025HBK, the low-level
Scythe Gentle Typhoon High RPM, NZXT FN 120LB and the less expected Corsair
SP120 High Performance Edition can delivers a powerful air flow, too. The other
models’ airflow is lower than above models
We don’t think that the airflow created at
the subjective noise level of 36dBA is an important parameter for these fans. Anyway
we just want to give you the figures.
Airflow
production diagrams
We realize a real winner here: Corsair SP120
High Performance Edition. Its amazingly low noise level helps this model to
release an impressive air flow at 36dBA. This model is followed by 9 fans from
Corsair, Scythe, SilverStone, GELID, Noctua, Zalman and Nanoxia. Those fans having
poorest results in this test are the Cooler Master Turbine Master MACH1.8,
Spire Air Force 120 LED and Prolimatech Red Vortex 12 LED.
The highest power consumption of each fan
can be seen in the next diagram:
Power
consumption
Mentioning power consumption, the Noctua
NF-F12 PWM, SilverStone SST-AP121, both Corsairs, Nanoxia, SilverStone, LEPA
Vortex and Zalman ZM-F3 FDB are the most economical products. The Scythe Gentle
Typhoon High RPM 5400RPM and Koolance FAN-12038HBK-184 requires 12W.
The next diagram lists each fan’s startup
voltage:
Start-up
voltage
The Enermax T.B.SILENCE and Zalman ZM-SF3
didn’t perform well in tests of airflow and noise but they can start at a lower
voltage: only 2.7V. More than a dozen fans can start at up to 5V. We could see
7V start-ups from the three models of LEPA.
And the final diagram compares the fans’ recommended
prices.
Recommended
prices
The Prolimatech Blue Vortex 12 offers a
mediocre performance with the lowest price among the tested fans. For $10, you
can purchase a LEPA Vortex, Swiftech Helix-120, Koolance FAN-12025HBK, Zalman
ZM-F3 FDB or a Prolimatech Red Vortex 12 LED. We guess that price is acceptable
for a 120mm fan. The priciest products are the Koolance FAN-12038HBK-184, three
Scythe Gentle Typhoon High RPM models, GELID Wing 12PL, LEPA Casino 4C, and
Noctua NF-F12 PWM. The rest, 14 models, costs from $14 to $17.
Wrap-up
To summarize, we sort the fans out into
four groups. The first group has hi-speed models which are for efficient
cooling regardless of noise. They are the Koolance FAN-12038HBK-184, Koolance
FAN-12025HBK, three Scythe Gentle Typhoon High RPM models, and the NZXT FN
120LB. Scythe’s hi-level products features a better air flow/noise ratio than
the thick 38mm Koolance. On the other hand, the difference between 76.5 and
69.3dBA isn't big, and you're going to stand more noise for both models.
The second group consists of models which
are pretty Wearker in performance. For instance, the Cooler Master Turbine Master
MACH1.8 seems having no benefits from its technical improvements with the
impeller similar to the original one. The Spire Air Force 120 LED, Prolimatech
Red Vortex 12 LED, Enermax T.B.SILENCE and Zalman ZM-SF3 also belong to this
group. The high noise and mediocre airflow make them medium choices.
The third group of fans contains products
with common specs. There’s nothing special with them though we can’t find any shortage
from them. This group has the Prolimatech Blue Vortex 12, the Zalman ZM-F3 FDB
which is unstable but long-lasting, the two colorful LEPA Casino models, the
LEPA 70D capable of working when surrounding temperatures going up to 70°C, the
LEPA Vortex with an air-focusing grid, and the Swiftech Helix-120 optimized for
liquid cooling systems. One of these above models is a good choice if you can’t
find any product from the leading group.
Finally, the leading group has the GELID
Wing 12PL, Noctua NF-F12 PWM, two SilverStone SST-AP121 models with
air-focusing grids, two Nanoxia FX EVO 120 IFC models, Corsair AF120
Performance Edition and, of course, Corsair SP120 High Performance Edition.
Each of these eight products above is going to produce a more powerful airflow
at a lower noise level, in comparison with original fans. They also feature long
lives and other features such as speed regulators, vibration-absorbing
elements, replaceable colored rings or beautiful lighting system. It’s exciting
that the two Nanoxia fans are those having reasonable prices here, although the
company has never been considered as those producing cheap products.
We are very proud to give Noctua
NF-F12 PWM and both Nanoxia FX EVO 120 IFC models the Recommended
Buy award.
For the best fan in this review, we pick
the Corsair SP120 High Performance Edition. It deserves joining the ranks
of the most remarkable products as the Noiseblocker, SilentWings and Scythe
Kama Flow 2. This new Corsair fan is surely the Editor's Choice.
