Advertised Vs. Real Performance
This is probably the most crucial page, showing how accurate the data provided by the manufacturers/brands on their products is. Since nobody could verify these numbers so far, it was an open field for every brand to declare whatever it wanted, but this stops now. I should also note that I strictly follow the specific guidelines (ISO7779: 2018) for taking noise measurements in information technology and telecommunications equipment.
In the table below, anything in Red means bad news, while the Blue fonts are good!
| Performance Metric | Advertised Performance | Real Performance | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Speed (RPM) | 1500 | 1546 | +3.07% |
| Max Input Current (A) – Max Airflow | 0.19 | 0.17 | -10.53% |
| Max Input Current (A) – Max Static Pressure | 0.19 | 0.28 | +47.37% |
| Max Power (W) – Max Airflow | 2.28 | 1.98 | -13.16% |
| Max Power (W) – Max Static Pressure | 2.28 | 3.36 | +47.37% |
| Qmax (CFM) | 91.58 | 94.83 | +3.55% |
| Pmax (mmAq) | 2.56 | 2.54 | -0.78% |
| Max Noise Level (dBA) | 24.8 | 31.4 | +6.6 dBA |
In my measurements, the max speed is a bit higher. The airflow is higher than the official specs, which is good, of course, and the static pressure is about the same. Lastly, the noise output difference between the advertised and the value I measured is high.
A note here about the power consumption numbers: so far, I noticed that most brands provide power consumption information without static the precise fan operation, whether it is operating at max airflow, max static pressure, or a state in between. The fact is that when the fan is under load, meaning that it delivers its full static pressure, its power consumption increases. This is why, from now on, if there is no information on the fan’s operating conditions, I will compare the advertised power consumption with the readings I have at 100% fan speed with an obstacle (max static pressure) and without (max airflow). In case there is power consumption information stating the fan’s operating condition, I will provide the corresponding results I got.
Just saw the square frame A14x25 report! Seems like the round frame sample performed ever so slightly better? 1545~ rpm at 31.4dba while the square frame was 1505~ rpm at 32.9dba, would you say this is within sample to sample variability/margin of error? Or is there any possibility of the frame itself causing this small difference, even if only in this testing setup?
Thank you for all the testing btw, invaluable info, proper technical testing and insights for us. And I guess the square frame version will be available very soon, likely next week?
Hey Aris,
first of all, thanks for making these tests. I wish i saw them before buying my new fans😅
I wanted to ask if you could test push vs. pull when it comes to static pressure and flow? Or why you haven’t done it so far? Is it maybe not that different or literally the same?
I ask because i have to go with pull on my new PC, as it makes the loop much easier to do, but I’ve heard fans don’t like it so much compared to push.
Maybe you could chime in and tell me how you feel about it, would be really helpful 🙂
I could do that, but I would have to reconfigure my entire testing machine and do all the fans I have evaluated so far, so for now only push I am afraid. In any case keep in mind that a fan that is better in push, will also be in pull.
Thanks Aris,
im at that point where im probably in the overthinking stage, because building starts soon and i dont want to make an easy mistake that could’ve been avoided😅
I wish i knew you now make fan testing too at the start, then i could’ve asked about the push vs. pull stuff, but shit happens i guess haha
How do you feel about reviewing older models? I’d really like to hear your opinion on Silverstone FHP141. This 140mm×38mm chonky looks really promising judging by its product page and its single existing review. Neither of them went nitty gritty with it however, so I was hoping you’d fix that.
Does this fan currently only support the newly launched air coolers?
Can the current mounting screw holes be properly installed on radiators or other positions?
Nope it supports any cooler that can take 140mm fans.
The weak 1500 RPM limit prevents it from being the best 140mm fan IMO
At low RPM, the top 10 fans will likely perform the same in real world as long there’s no weird motor noise. And that’s pretty much the only thing this fan has to offer. P14 Max already offers this PLUS the ability to scale up to compete against high raw perf fans like Noctua Industrial 3000 RPM—-it’s practically like the Phanteks T30 but in 140mm. P14 Max is still the 140mm fan to beat. I hope Noctua release a higher RPM version to justify the high price.
We always wait the test of the fastest 140mm fan for a versus to the Super Flower Megacool. You have news about Noctua for the nf-a14 industrialppc-3000 pwm ??? Couple month ago you said your contact don’t reply and you will ask again.
Let me ask them again. I asked in the past, but they didn’t send them to me.
In worst case I think for that fan only, it worth that you buy it for the review. I think for that 140mm chart, that fan is a huge missing, because everyone know it was the best performer since a long time. There no others like that one excepted maybe Delta server fan in 38mm but no gamer buy this versus in old time like 2005.
Please send me a solid-works 3D model file for the NF-A6X25 PWM FAN.
Please let me know if the model is available or send it in a .step file format or any compatible format that is available.
hm not sure what you need/ask.
Can you please review the Antek Storm T3 140mm fans? Thir specs seem amazing for the price.
I will talk to Antec!
Yep. Really interested about these as well!
Another vote for Antek T3 140mm
They told me that they would send it for review. Still waiting, though.