Silverstone FN123 vs FQ122 vs FW121 vs FW122: Review 2021 | Test

Contents hide

1 Specification

2 Silverstone FN123

3 The bundle consists of:

4 Silverstone FW121

5 The bundle consists of:

6 Silverstone FW122

7 The bundle consists of:

8 Silverstone FQ122

9 The “Slims” – FN123 and FW121

10 Advantages

11 Disadvantages

12 The FQ122 and FW122

13 Advantages

14 Disadvantages

14.1 Where to find Silverstone Fans?

14.2 Related posts:

We continue the test of Silverstone products with today a small gaggle of fans, 4 to be precise, the FN123 FQ122 FW121 and FW122! Under these barbaric names are 12cm models with 2 fans in “slim” version so 1.5cm thick (the FN123 and FW121) and 2 others in the standard version 2.5cm thick (the FQ122 and FW122). Several ranges of fans at Silverstone, each range has its specific use, the FN are fans made to operate at fixed RPMs (although in practice it is of course possible to regulate them), the FQs are oriented silent and the FW are PWM fans, there are also other models like the AP (of which I tested the AP182).
Let’s see what all those little fans are worth in the field!

Specification

Fan reference	Silverstone FN123	Silverstone FW121	Silverstone FQ122	Silverstone FW122
Dimensions	120 x 120 x 15 mm	120 x 120 x 15 mm	120 x 120 x 25 mm	120 x 120 x 25 mm
Connectivity	3-pin	4-pin PWM	3-pin	4-pin PWM
Bearing type	Sleeve	Sleeve	P.C.F. bearing	Sleeve
RPM	2000	800 -> 2000	800 -> 1500	1000 -> 1800
Maximum air flow	32,6 CFM	13,1 -> 32,6 CFM	37,8 -> 63,8 CFM	42.6 -> 76.5 CFM
Max sound level	23.5 dB	14,7 -> 24,6 dB	14,5 -> 24,9 dB	18,4 -> 28,1 dB
Consumption	1.92 W	0,24 -> 1,08 W	0,48 -> 2,64 W	0,84 -> 2.28 W
Weight	112 g	109 g	133 g	130 g
Cable length	30 cm	30 cm	30 cm	30 cm
MTBF	40 000 h	40 000 h	150 000 h	40 000 h
Recommended rate	6,90€ HT	8,40€ HT	9,90€ HT	9,20€ HT
Guarantee	2 years	2 years	2 years	2 years

We are therefore in the presence of 4 rather different fans, 2 3-pin version and 2 4-pin PWM versions with maximum speeds varying between 1500 and 2000 RPM depending on the model. The FN123, FW121 and FW122 are models with a Sleeve type bearing and therefore have a theoretical service life (40,000 hours) less than the versions with ball bearings, the FQ122 for its part has a specially designed bearing. to have a lifespan of 150,000 hours. Consumption also ranges from single to more than double with 1.08Watt maximum consumption for the FW121 and 2.64Watts for the FQ122.
The fan prices are really contained, ranging from € 6.90 excl. Tax for the FN123 to € 9.90 excl. Tax, we are far from the price of premium fans like the Noctua or be quiet! This could be very good news for people looking for good, inexpensive fans, if of course they turn out to be interesting during testing!

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Silverstone FN123

The FN123 is sold in a plastic box like all other Silverstone fans, easy opening and direct access to the product, we find the main characteristics on the front face (1.5m thick, air pressure optimized for a balanced flow) and a more technical description on the back like the 3-pin connection, maximum RPMs, maximum noise, etc.

The bundle consists of:

1 FN123 fan
4 vis
4 anti-vibration rubber mounts
1 adaptateur 4-pin molex -> 4-pin PWM

As we can see the bundle is basic but offers the essentials, the adapter can still be used and the 4 anti-vibration mounts will be a plus to avoid transmitting vibrations from the fan to the case. Unfortunately, however, we note that the cables are not sheathed, too bad!

Here is the beast! white blades on a black plastic frame, the build quality is very good and the fan is surprisingly sturdy for a 1.5cm thick fan. We see in the center that a circle is present connecting the blades to each other, most certainly to direct the air flow a little better.

Silverstone FW121

The box of the FW121 is as usual identical to other Silverstone fans and more particularly the FN123 because it is also a “slim” model 1.5cm thick. This time, in addition to the main characteristics on the front panel, we see that the fan is a PWM version and therefore capable of being silent or efficient. At the rear, technical specifications such as maximum sound level and operating range (from 800 to 2000 RPM).

The bundle consists of:

1 fan FW121
4 vis
4 anti-vibration rubber mounts
1 adaptateur 4-pin molex -> 4-pin PWM

The bundle is identical to the FN123 and therefore offers the main one, we also see that the cable is not braided either, too bad once again:

The beast is here! Wait but I think I saw this fan somewhere, yes yes it is a carbon copy of the FN123 but with a blue frame characteristic of Silverstone products, it changes from the black that we see everywhere. The manufacture is of course as imagined by the FN123, that is to say very good.

Silverstone FW122

Always the same plastic box with on the front face the main characteristics, we learn that the blades have a design specially studied for a high air pressure as well as a more contained noise and that the fan is PWM able to rotate between 1000 and 1800 RPM. Behind it are technical characteristics such as maximum sound level and air flow.

The bundle consists of:

1 fan FW122
4 vis
4 anti-vibration rubber mounts
1 adaptateur 4-pin molex -> 4-pin PWM
1 rubber plate to be glued to the frame

The bundle is almost identical to the 2 other fans above except for a white rubber plate which is to be glued on the fan frame helping to isolate the fan a little more from the case, in addition to the 4 rubber fasteners !

The FW122 has a slightly atypical design, no more square fans and room for a more elaborate design! The build quality is still very good and the FW122 is very robust. You can see the small triangles around the fixing holes which are the places to place the white rubbers delivered in the bundle, like this:

Nothing could be easier, we stick the rubbers in the triangles and voila!

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Silverstone FQ122

The FQ122 to finish is sold in the same plastic box as all the others, we learn on the other hand on the front face that the fan is designed for a very silent and PWM use, the technical characteristics on the back show us that the fan runs from 800 to 1500RPM and has a bearing that differs from the other 3 fans in this test and has a much higher theoretical life (150,000 hours).

The bundle consists of:

1 fan FQ122
4 vis
4 anti-vibration rubber mounts
1 adaptateur 4-pin molex -> 4-pin PWM
1 adaptateur 12V -> 7V
1 rubber plate to be glued to the frame

Bundle identical to the FW122, the rubber plate to be glued is still present, the only plus is the presence of the 12V -> 7V adapter which will calm the fan’s heat if it is not possible to control it in PWM on the board mother. Note that the FW122 is the only fan in the comparison to have a sheathed cable!

The beast! Once again, this feeling of déjà vu sets in instantly! Yes yes the FQ122 on the outside is identical to the FW122 with the colors interchanged, the same blue and the same white!

The Silverstone fans have been tested on the Prolimatech Megalahems radiator on the configuration below:

Processor : Intel Core i7 875K @ 3.2 Ghz
Ventirad : Prolimatech Megahalems
Motherboard : Asus P7P55D
Mémoire: Kingston HyperX 4 x 2 Go 1600Mhz
Disque dur: WD Raptor 150 Go
Graphics card : Sapphire Toxic 5850
Power supply : Seasonic X650

The core i7 875K has been slightly overclocked to 3.2Ghz. The temperatures under load are an average of all the cores for 3 tests of 30 minutes on OCCT, the temperatures at rest were taken after 15mins on the desk (still an average of the 4 cores).

As we can see the FN123 and FW121 which are “slim” fans end up behind the 2.5cm thick fans which is perfectly normal even if the difference is not really marked in 12V! The FW122 and FQ122 fans are almost on an equal footing whether in solo, push-pull, 5V and 12V despite the difference of 300RPM which separates the 2 models (1800RPM for the FW122 against 1500 for the FQ122).
In general, the Silverstone fans manage to keep up with the ardor of the Core i7 875K very well even if the “slim” fans have a little trouble in 5V, which is normal once again!

Warning: Part to be taken with a grain of salt, unfortunately not having access to the appropriate equipment and using an android application to take the readings The measurements below are only indicative! The readings were taken 15cm from the cooler.

At rest, all the fans in the comparison are almost inaudible, on the other hand the FW122s are not discreet! With 55dB when the 2 fans are in push-pull, the noise is rather significant but remains neutral with only an air flow noise, this is also the case for all the fans tested today!
Note that all fans suffer from a small motor noise when you listen to a few centimeters from the fans, the noise is only audible at 5V and is drowned in the noise of the air flow. once the fans’ RPMs go up.
To sum up, I would say that Silverstone fans are very versatile and will be capable of relative silence while at the same time being able to blow properly when the need arises.

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Here we are at the end of this test, given that there are 2 types of fans present I will split the conclusion, one for the “slim” fans FN123 and FW121 and another for the FQ122 and FW122.

The “Slims” – FN123 and FW121

Particularly designed for people with limited space, the FN123 and FW122 with their 1.5cm thickness will be quite capable of cooling a processor or a case. Very versatile in terms of noise pollution, they will be able to be silent by lowering the voltage even if the temperatures will be somewhat affected, at the most the temperatures are quite good and the noise pollution remains very contained even if they are spinning at 2000RPM!
The build quality is excellent and robustness is essential here, offered at 6.90 € HT for the FN123 and 8.40 € HT for the FW121 there is no doubt that they will be a very good choice if you need “slim” fans. »3-pin (the FN123) or 4-pin PWM (the FW121).

Advantages

Build quality
Price
Versatility

Disadvantages

Slight engine noise
Cable a little short

The FQ122 and FW122

Given to be versatile fans the FW122 and FQ122 fulfill their role perfectly, whether in 5V or 12V they are quite capable of very good cooling!
The sound level is very low in 5V and apart from being almost completely silent, and like the “slim” fans, a very slight noise from the engine at low speed but which is drowned out at high speed. In 12V the fans are clearly heard, especially for the FW122 which runs faster but the noise generated is neutral and only the air noise will be heard at the back of the PC.
The build quality is once again excellent, the fans are tough and made to last. The addition of rubber stickers to be added to the fan to avoid vibrations is a little extra always good to take if your case is prone to vibrations.
Offered at 9.90 € HT for the FQ122 and 9.20 € HT for the FW122 they will be a very good choice for those who are not ready to spend more than 20 € on “premium” fans and who are looking for versatile fans for a future configuration. pc!