Arctic P14 PWM PST: Unbeatable in its segment

Evaluation

What is fascinating about the Arctic P14 is the particularly high contrast of price to (cooling) efficiency. These fans are among the cheapest, while at the same time achieving top results with respect to all 140 mm fans in terms of airflow per unit of noise. And that’s even through obstacles. Arctic has made almost the maximum out of the funds available to produce the fan, and it is definitely worth it.

Evaluation

It must be stated unequivocally that the Arctic P14 (PWM PST) is a truly remarkable “phenomenon” that (with the exception of lesser-known offerings adhering to its design) is unparalleled. And that’s in the most positive sense of the word.

With a dust filter and on a grille this fan took first places in efficiency and is so perfect for system cooling. In this context, however, it should be pointed out that when combined with nylon filters without reinforcing elements along their surface, the Arctic P14 PWM PST can (and probably will) rub the impeller against the mesh. This then results in an annoying noise that you’ll be glad to avoid.

This fan is also attractive on radiators of liquid coolers, not being “weaker” even compared to the BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099), which is nearly four times its price. Of the fans tested, the P14 PWM PST is only not enough for the Thermaltake Toughfan 14 Pro. We’re still talking about airflow through radiators, both thinner (with higher FPI) and thicker (with lower FPI), the relative placement is virtually the same. Lower but still above-average cooling performance can only be expected at maximum speed. This is because of the relatively low maximum speed, but because of which this fan also ranks among the quietest in the 100% PWM/12 V DC comparison. This means that it will never be dramatically noisy, even with an aggressively (and perhaps inappropriately) set RPM curve.

Now to the situation with noise at critical frequencies. Because they are lower (75-117 Hz), the operation is rumblier practically across the entire speed spectrum, but compared to the P12 PWM PST it’s not much worse. At lower speeds (below 850 rpm), the P14 PWM PST is fairly quiet even at these sound frequencies and unless you are downright allergic to the 80 Hz or so range, it will be a very good low-cost choice. Especially when you have multiple of these fans and optimally set each one to a slightly different speed. In that case, with relatively low noise you will get very high efficiency out of the P14 PWM PST, or the ratio of cooling performance to noise will be really impressive.

Detailed sound analysis shows that noise at critical frequencies tends to get significantly louder as speeds increase. Even at 1300 rpm in “45 dBA” mode, the Arctic P14 PWM PST can be subjectively evaluated as the noisiest fan. That is, of the models we’ve tested so far. In any case, a direct competitor in the form of Endorfy Stratus PWM is in a similar position and even the Noctua NF-A14 PWM (with noisy frequencies around 131 Hz) as well. Anyway, in the P14 PWM PST’s price range, this is probably something you can’t avoid with modern cheap fans. The Arctic P14 PWM PST has the advantage of being more efficient, with a more favorable airflow/noise ratio over the others.

The P14 PWM PST collects the worst placements in an environment with no obstacles. The results are still excellent, in the top half, but the Arctic fan is already missing in the “top 3”. In environments that can’t benefit from high static pressure, the P14 PWM PST starts to lag behind a bit and fans come into the lead that benefit from the need for lower static pressure for a change. A good example of this is the 140 mm Silent Wings Pro 4. Although in an obstacle-free environment it achieves, at comparable noise levels, (although with less aggressive tonal peaks from the BeQuiet! fan) higher airflow, this is not the case with use on radiators. Because at this level of resistance (radiator), the Arctic P14 PWM PST already has a higher static pressure and will move more air over the obstacle.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the very low vibration that gets to the fan frame. And while some vibrations do occur on the blades (otherwise the P14 PWM PST fan wouldn’t have such pronounced tonal peaks), they won’t be too intense. We even dare to say that the vibrations generated, which propagate through the fan body, are minimal. In fact, they are transferred to an obstacle to a very small extent even if Arctic didn’t use any anti-vibration pads, and you haven’t seen the results of the P14 PWM CO (i.e. the ball-bearing variant) yet. So it is quite possible that much of the vibrations on the frame is coming from the mechanical elements around the motor.

To criticise anything of the technical shortcomings of the P14 PWM PST at a price of around 9 EUR would be too harsh and for obvious reasons this fan takes the editorial award “Smart buy!” from us. That’s because, among other things, it dominated the price-to-airflow ratio charts, in which the Arctic fan holds the very top spot.

English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš

• Contents
• Arctic P14 PWM PST 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