Overview of manufacturer specifications
The culmination of our trilogy of tests of Arctic’s 140mm fans is here. With the P14 Max, the designers have worked on improvements that change both the acoustic properties and performance of the fan. The main new feature, the hoop, allows for, among other things, a significant speed increase, due to which this fan can have a really high airflow. On the other hand, fans of extra low speeds will not be too pleased.
Brand and model of fan | Paper specicifations * | Price [EUR] | ||||||||
Format (and thickness) in mm | Connecting | Speed [rpm] | Airflow [m3/h] | Static pressure [mm H2O] | Noise level [dBA] | Bearings | MTBF [h] | |||
Motor | RGB LED | |||||||||
Arctic P14 Max | 140 (27) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 400–2800 | 161.40 | 4.18 | N/A | fluid | N/A | 13 |
Arctic P14 PWM PST CO | 140 (27) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 200–1700 | 123.76 | 2.40 | 10.6 | ball | N/A | 11 |
Arctic P14 PWM PST | 140 (27) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 200–1700 | 123.76 | 2.40 | 10.6 | fluid | N/A | 9 |
Endorfy Stratus 140 PWM | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 200–1200 | N/A | N/A | N/A | fluid | 80 000 | 8 |
PCCooler CPS F5 R120 BK | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 500–2200 | 147.36 | 3.20 | 32.0 | fluid | 60 000 | 17 |
Thermaltake Toughfan 14 Pro | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 500–2000 | 203.20 | 3.57 | 31.6 | hydraulic | 40 000 | 23 |
Fractal Design Venturi HP-14 PWM | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 1500 | 132.70 | 1.94 | 30.1 | fluid | 150 000 | 22 |
Seasonic MagFlow ARGB | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 2000 | 84.05 | 2.28 | 30.2 | fluid | 100 000 | 34 |
Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 1500 | 140.20 | 2.08 | 24.6 | SSO2 | 150 000 | 26 |
BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 1200 | 97.50 | 0.96 | 21.9 | rifle | 80 000 | 15 |
Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 200–1400 | N/A | N/A | N/A | fluid | 80 000 | 6 |
Phanteks PH-F120T30 | 120 (30) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 0–3000 | 171.40 | 7.11 | 39.7 | „dual vapo“ | 150 000 | 30 |
BeQuiet! Light Wings White (BL101) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 2500 | 88.86 | 2.60 | 31.0 | rifle | 60 000 | 23 ** |
Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 300–2000 | 28.71–153.39 | 0.08–2.67 | 4.0–36.2 | fluid | 120 000 | 16 |
Valkyrie X12 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 800–2150 | 135.92 | 3.14 | 29.0 | fluid | 50 000 | 28 |
Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm | 140 (25) | 3-pin (DC) | N/A | 1000 | 95.31 | 0.87 | 21.6 | rifle | 40 000 | 12 |
Arctic P12 PWM PST A-RGB | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 200–2000 | 82.91 | 1.85 | 10.6 | fluid | N/A | 14 |
Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 Slim | 120 (15) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 300–1800 | 13.86–81.55 | 0.05–1.36 | 2.6–27.8 | fluid | 120 000 | 17 |
Seasonic MagFlow 1225 PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 600–2000 | 107.60 | 2.61 | 9.9–33.8 | fluid | 100 000 | 37 |
Arctic P12 PWM PST | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 200–1800 | 95.65 | 2.20 | 10.6 | fluid | N/A | 6 |
Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 0–3200 | 149.68 | 4.75 | 39.3 | ball | 200 000 | 32 |
Corsair AF120 RGB Elite | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 4-pin (5 V) iCUE | 550–2100 | 23.45–111.40 | 0.17–2.68 | 5.0–34.1 | fluid | N/A | 29 |
Enermax SquA RGB White | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 300–1500 | 41,67–115,99 | 0.17–1.90 | 12.0–23.0 | N/A | 100 000 | 20 |
Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 250–1800 | N/A | N/A | N/A | fluid | 100 000 | 13 |
Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 250–1800 | N/A | N/A | N/A | fluid | 100 000 | 17 |
Arctic P12 Slim PWM PST | 120 (15) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 300–2100 | 71.53 | 1.45 | 10.6 | fluid | N/A | 7 |
BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099) | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 2400 | 165.50 | 3.64 | 36.8 | fluid | 300 000 | 33 |
Fractal Design Prisma AL-14 PWM | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 500–1700 | 176.44 | 2.38 | 34.1 | sleeve | 100 000 | 21 |
Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 800–1700 | 51.48–103.03 | 0.59–2.18 | 8.9–35.8 | sleeve | 73 500 | 28 |
BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL075) | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 2200 | 121.82 | 2.30 | 31.0 | rifle | 60 000 | 29 |
Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 500–1700 | 33.98–132.52 | 0.09–1.93 | 10.0–35.5 | rifle | 90 000 | 18 |
DeepCool FK120 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 500–1850 | 117.21 | 2.19 | 28.0 | fluid | N/A | 11 |
Asus TUF Gaming TF120 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 1900 | 129.12 | 2.50 | 29.0 | fluid | 250 000 | 14 |
BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL072) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 1700 | 70.53 | 1.66 | 20.6 | rifle | 60 000 | 26 |
DeepCool FC120 | 120 (25) | 6-pin (PWM) | 6-pin (5 V) | 500–1800 | 105.19 | 1.83 | 28.0 | hydrodynamic | N/A | 20 |
Nidec Servo Gentle Typhoon D1225C (2150/12) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 2150 | 117.23 | 2.87 | 30.0 | ball | 100 000 | 20 |
BeQuiet! Shadow Wings 2 (BL085) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 1100 | 65.41 | 0.82 | 15.9 | rifle | 80 000 | 15 |
Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 450–2000 | 102.10 | 2.34 | 22.6 | SSO2 | 150 000 | 28 |
Corsair AF120 Elite (black) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 400–1850 | 18.52–100.41 | 0.09–1.93 | 31.5 | fluid | N/A | 24 |
Cooler Master MasterFan SF120M | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 650–2000 | 105.33 | 2.40 | 5.5–22.0 | ball | 280 000 | 33 |
Akasa Alucia SC12 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 500–2000 | 95.65 | 1.94 | 33.1 | hydrodynamic | N/A | 12 |
BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL098) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 3000 | 142.50 | 5.31 | 36.9 | fluid | 300 000 | 32 |
Thermalright X-Silent 120 | 120 (25) | 3-pin (DC) | N/A | 1000 | 61.31 | N/A | 19.6 | fluid | 50 000 | 5 |
Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 500–2000 | 22.09–95.14 | 0.23–2.34 | 10.0–33.2 | rifle | 90 000 | 16 |
BeQuiet! Silent Wings 3 (BL066) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 1450 | 85.80 | 1.79 | 16.4 | fluid | 300 000 | 21 |
Gelid Zodiac | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 700–1600 | 111.29 | 1.47 | 35.0 | hydrodynamic | N/A | 10 |
Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 500–2000 | 148.83 | 0.51–2.30 | 10.0–32.2 | rifle | 100 000 | 12 |
BeQuiet! Pure Wings 2 (BL039) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 1500 | 87.00 | 1.25 | 19.2 | rifle | 80 000 | 11 |
Gigabyte Aorus 120 ARGB | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 800–1700 | 31.47–69.40 | 0.37–1.48 | 7.3–28.6 | sleeve | 73 500 | 25 |
Arctic BioniX P120 A-RGB | 120 (30) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 400–2300 | 81.55 | 2.10 | 33.4 | fluid | N/A | 21 |
Akasa OTTO SF12 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 0–2000 | 164.84 | 3.59 | 7.1–31.7 | ball | 80 000 | 22 |
Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 680–1800 | 105.34 | 2.50 | 8.0–27.0 | rifle | 160 000 | 15 |
Alphacool SL-15 PWM | 120 (15) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 600–1800 | 71.40 | 1.20 | 32.0 | ball | 50 000 | 11 |
Arctic BioniX F120 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 200–1800 | 117.00 | 2.10 | 20.0 | fluid | N/A | 10 |
SilverStone SST-AP123 | 120 (25) | 3-pin (DC) | N/A | 1500 | 96.84 | 1.46 | 23.8 | fluid | 50 000 | 25 |
Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 400–1700 | 120.20 | 2.83 | 25.1 | SSO | 150 000 | 13 |
SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 300–1800 | N/A | N/A | N/A | fluid | 100 000 | 12 |
MSI MEG Silent Gale P12 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 0–2000 | 95.48 | 2.21 | 22.7 | hydrodynamic | 50 000 | 31 |
Asus ROG Strix XF120 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 1800 | 106.19 | 3.07 | 22.5 | „MagLev“ | 400 000 | 23 |
Akasa Vegas X7 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 4-pin (12 V) | 1200 | 71.19 | N/A | 23.2 | fluid | 40 000 | 11 |
Reeven Coldwing 12 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 300–1500 | 37.54–112.64 | 0.17–1.65 | 6.5–30.4 | sleeve | 30 000 | 12 |
Asus ROG Strix XF120 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | nemá | 1800 | 106,19 | 3,07 | 22,5 | „MagLev“ | 400 000 | 23 |
SilentiumPC Sigma Pro 120 PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | nemá | 500–1600 | 79,00 | N/A | 15,0 | hydraulické | 50 000 | 7 |
SilentiumPC Sigma Pro Corona RGB 120 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 4-pin (12 V) | 1500 | 56,58 | N/A | N/A | hydraulické | 50 000 | 12 |
SilverStone SST-AP121 | 120 (25) | 3-pin (DC) | nemá | 1500 | 60,08 | 1,71 | 22,4 | fluidné | 50 000 | 18 |
SilverStone SST-FQ121 | 120 (25) | 7-pin (PWM) | nemá | 1000–1800 | 114,68 | 0,54–1,82 | 16,4–24,0 | fluidné | 150 000 | 20 |
Xigmatek XLF-F1256 | 120 (25) | 3-pin (DC) | nemá | 1500 | 103,64 | N/A | 20,0 | rifle | 50 000 | 16 |
*When reading performance values, a certain amount of tolerance must always be taken into account. For maximum speeds, ±10 % is usually quoted, minimum speeds can vary considerably more from piece to piece, sometimes manufacturers will overlap by as much as ±50 %. This must then also be adequately taken into account for air flow, static pressure and noise levels. If only one value is given in a table entry, this means that it always refers to the situation at maximum speed, which is achieved at 12 V or 100 % PWM intensity. The manufacturer does not disclose the lower limit of the performance specifications in its materials in that case. The price in the last column is always approximate.
- Contents
- Arctic P14 Max in detail
- Overview of manufacturer specifications
- Basis of the methodology, the wind tunnel
- Mounting and vibration measurement
- Initial warm-up and speed recording
- Base 6 equal noise levels…
- ... and sound color (frequency characteristic)
- Measurement of static pressure…
- … and of airflow
- Everything changes with obstacles
- How we measure power draw and motor power
- Measuring the intensity (and power draw) of lighting
- Results: Speed
- Results: Airlow w/o obstacles
- Results: Airflow through a nylon filter
- Results: Airflow through a plastic filter
- Results: Airflow through a hexagonal grille
- Results: Airflow through a thinner radiator
- Results: Airflow through a thicker radiator
- Results: Static pressure w/o obstacles
- Results: Static pressure through a nylon filter
- Results: Static pressure through a plastic filter
- Results: Static pressure through a hexagonal grille
- Results: Static pressure through a thinner radiator
- Results: Static pressure through a thicker radiator
- Results: Static pressure, efficiency depending on orientation
- Reality vs. specifications
- Results: Frequency response of sound w/o obstacles
- Results: Frequency response of sound with a dust filter
- Results: Frequency response of sound with a hexagonal grille
- Results: Frequency response of sound with a radiator
- Results: Vibration, in total (3D vector length)
- Results: Vibration, X-axis
- Results: Vibration, Y-axis
- Results: Vibration, Z-axis
- Results: Power draw (and motor power)
- Results: Cooling performance per watt, airflow
- Results: Cooling performance per watt, static pressure
- Airflow per euro
- Static pressure per euro
- Results: Lighting – LED luminance and power draw
- Results: LED to motor power draw ratio
- Evaluation
Really, really interesting results.
I have heard that the P14 max suffers from motor noises, but it’s clear now that it’s only at <900 RPM where it's unstable.
The outer ring having almost no impact on noise profile is very surprising. Well, at least in the no obstacles environment. The huge impact of the ring on noise profile on radiators, despite having no effect otherwise, is even more surprising. Perhaps the back pressure cause deformation of the blades or something like that?
P.S. The links to radiator frequency plots are broken in the English version.
Thanks, fixed! 🙂
From the measurements on the fan frame, we know that the P14 Max is not a source of significant vibrations even at medium speeds, and yet the tonal peaks at low sound frequencies are quite high. We can assume that the vibrations on the blades will also be very weak and in a situation on a radiator, due to its resistance, the character of the vibrations may change. And they may move out of the unpleasant resonant frequencies. I guess it could be like this, that is, unless someone comes up with a more realistic theory. 🙂
Anyway, the fact is that the color of the sound on radiators is quite pleasant. That is, on our testing ones. Of course, you can’t generalise this.
The unpleasant tones that occur at certain RPMs are primarily from blade and frame spar resonance, and the source of their excitation is essentially unrelated to aerodynamic factors, and is primarily from the torque ripple of the motor. You can test the frequency of the anomalous tone at a particular RPM, and the RPM at which it occurs and the frequency of the sound wave will form some sort of mathematical relationship to the number of poles/coils in the motor (i.e., the frequency of the motor’s torque ripple) and the RPM at which the anomalous tone occurs won’t change, regardless of whether you increase the impedance or create a pressure pulsation that interferes with the blade’s aero-dynamics work.
Distinguishing a resonant noise from a blade or frame can be accomplished by observing a significant increase in frame vibration at the onset of the anomalous tone, and by observing a diminution of the anomalous tone when the frame tabs are pressed down.
However, note that in high speed (e.g., 4000+ rpm for 120mm fans) plastic impeller fans, the frequency of blade resonance rises slightly at high rpm due to pre-stress from blade deformation. The intrinsic frequency depends mainly on mass distribution and rigidity, and it is not easy to balance mechanical reliability and aerodynamic performance.
https://noctua.at/en/custom-designed-pwm-ic-with-scd
It would seem like this technology is a (partial) solution to this problem. Are there other ways of mitigation?
That wind tunnel looks great!