[Test] Noctua NF-P12 & NF-F12 : Specs | CPU | Hashrate | Review | Config

Hi all !

Let’s continue the momentum of the Noctua product tests and tackle the 12cm fans, but oriented towards processor cooling, the NF-P12 and NF-F12 (unlike the NF-S12A which are designed for cooling the case). Why specify that these series are specially optimized for use on coolers? Particular attention was paid by the engineers at Noctua to the management of the static pressure and the channeling of the air flow in this direction, we will see if the results are there!

Presentation and bundle

The box has the same presentation as the other fans of the brand, sober efficient and displaying the main characteristics of the product.

The bundle consists of:

• 4 fixations anti vibrations
• 4 vis
• 1 wire in Y 4-pin
• 1 4-pin extension of 30 cm
• 1 LNA adapter (900RPM)
• 1 manuel

The bundle is as usual at Noctua very complete for the NF-P12 and you will normally not miss anything!

Characteristics

The NF-P12 has a maximum speed of 1300RPM, it then drops to 900 when the LNA cable is used, the maximum sound level is 19.6 dB which suggests that the fan will remain discreet (but not inaudible, no fan is at 1300 RPM).

Presentation and bundle

Not much to say more than the NF-P12, the box is more or less the same 🙂

The bundle consists of:

• 4 fixations anti vibrations
• 4 vis
• 1 wire in Y 4-pin
• 1 4-pin extension of 30 cm
• 1 LNA adapter (900RPM)
• 1 manuel

To summarize the bundle is identical to that of the NF-P12, we can continue!

Characteristics

The NF-F12 runs faster than the NF-P12, 1500 RPM against 1300, the performances should normally be better but the sound level higher at the same time, we will see that during the tests!

The test platform

The NF-F12 and NF-P12 have been tested on the configuration below:

• Processor: Intel Core i7 875K @ 3,2 Ghz
• Motherboard: Asus P7P55D
• Memory: Kingston HyperX 4 x 2 Go 1600Mhz
• Hard disk: WD Raptor 150 Go
• Graphic card: Sapphire Toxic 5850
• Food: Seasonic X650
• Ventirad: Prolimatech Megahalems

The test protocol

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).

The fans have been tested against the Nexus Real Silent 120 and Antec Two Cool in 2 different configurations, 1 fan or 2 in push + pull.

The temperatures

There are no real surprises in terms of temperatures, the NF-F12 being the one that runs the fastest (1500 RPM against 1300RPM for the NF-P12, and around 1100 for the Antec TwoCool and Nexus) it wins the performance award! Where the NF-F12 really stands out is in 5V, indeed at least this fan is really very powerful and leaves its opponents far behind (~ 700RPM against 600RPM for the NF-F12 and 500RPM for the 2 others). What about noise pollution? I don’t yet believe in a miracle so the NF-F12 should logically be louder than the others, that’s what we’ll see right away!

Noise pollution

Attention : 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.

Indeed, miracles do not really exist! The NF-F12 is quite noisy at 12V (1500 RPM anyway!) Followed by the NF-P12 which, even if still audible, produces a less intrusive sound. The NF-F12 at full power emits a hum that will not delight lovers of silence, of course it is possible to modulate the fan thanks to the LNA and ULNA adapters in order to define ourselves the desired maximum sound level, in 5V on the other hand. it is almost inaudible and the performance remains at a very good level (as you can see above).
Regarding the NF-P12 it is inaudible in 5v and becomes audible in 12v, on the other hand the generated noise is not affected by parasitic noises, all that we can hear is a breath and it is a very good point!

NF-F12 PWM

The results are mixed for this fan, it is very powerful and has a very varied range of use, you can use it on a cooler which will be performance oriented and overclocking without problem and it will be relatively quiet (especially if used in push-pull and under-volté) as long as you don’t push it all the way! If you are looking for performance above all, it will be preferable to the NF-P12, if on the other hand you are only looking for silence then the NF-P12 will be more suited to your expectations.

The +

• Range of use
• Under-volty push-pull performance
• Very extensive bundle
• SAV Noctua

The –

• 12V noise pollution
• Price

NF-P12 PWM

The NF-P12 shows a little less good performance than the NF-F12 but the noise emitted is softer to the ear, so it will be more suitable on a cooler in a quiet PC. The performances are still very good and will be a very good compromise between silence and performance.

The +

• Contained noise pollution
• No extraneous noise
• Very extensive bundle
• SAV Noctua

The –

A big thank you to Jakob from Noctua who allowed me to do this test.

Where can I find the Noctua NF-P12 and NF-F12?

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