Aaaaah MORE fans! Yes sir we are back again with more fan reviews, again made by Noctua (stop making fans already I`m running out of space here :P )
Got quality fans? Liked that old Noctua fan? You’ll like this one even better, presenting the Noctua NF-SA12A the next evolution of the popular NF-S12B. So let’s see if it`s worthy to its predecessor.
I’ll go ahead and highlight some feature that otherwise might have been overlooked but are certainly helping in creating a fan that moves heaps of air and doing it silently.
The NF-S12A marks the third generation of Noctua’s signature S12 series quiet case fans, which have received more than 250 awards and recommendations from the international press. Featuring a further refined blade design with Anti-Stall Knobs that works in tandem with the new AAO (Advanced Acoustic Optimisation) frame, the NF-S12A improves the airflow/noise efficiency of its renowned predecessor by up to 8%.
Does that mean the older S12B is bad? Nope, it’s still a great fan but just the new version; updated, new features and just as good if not better than the previous model.
So let’s take a look what sets them apart:
Like with the new NF-A14 range the new NF-SA12A also come in 3 flavors the FLX, ULN and PWM
As where the older NF-S12B is limited to just the FLX and ULN
| 3 speed settings for full flexibility (NF-S12A FLX) Providing 1200, 1050 and 900 rpm speed settings via the supplied Low-Noise and Ultra-Low-Noise Adaptors, the NF-S12A FLX (Flexibility) can be fine-tuned for superior airflow or maximum quietness. |
ULN stands for Ultra Low Noise, quote:
| 2 speed settings for maximum quietness (NF-S12A ULN) Providing 800 and 650 rpm speed settings via the supplied adaptor, the ULN (Ultra-Low-Noise) version is tailor made for serious silent enthusiasts who demand super-slow running speeds and utmost quietness of operation. |
And then we have PWM (Pulse-width modulation), which basically means a power source is turned on and off in rapid succession (pulses) and by changing their frequency slows down or speeds up the fan. PWM is also used in dimming LED lights these days as you can’t dim LEDs by ramping down the voltage… thus PWM is used. You can actually see these pulses with the naked eye if you pay close attention to the LED rear lights on cars these days and swiftly shake with your head and you’ll see what I’m on about.
More info on the PWM subject visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse-width_modulation
Quote:
| Custom designed PWM IC with SCD Supporting fully automatic PWM speed control, the NF-S12A PWM uses Noctua’s novel, custom designed NE-FD1 PWM IC that integrates Smooth Commutation Drive (SCD) technology. By providing smoother torque impulses, SCD suppresses PWM switching noises and thus makes the fan quieter at low speeds |
For more info about that check out http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=ne_fd1_pwm_ic
We can also find this chip in the latest NF-A14 series that we reviewed a while back. So apart from an extra model what more does the new series have to offer!
Well the box is different! But jokes aside, Noctua has some amazing packaging as usual with folding flaps on the front and back giving you information about the fan and the tech involved.
When we look at the numbers given for the airflow and pressure we can see the old model has less airflow but more static pressure. This has to do with the new design, the new models still have the trued and tested have Noctua’a AAO frame (Noctua’s AAO Advanced Acoustic Optimization) that include silicone rubber vibration absorbers on all corners, the stepped inlet and little golf ball dimples on the sides.
But the newest invention is the Anti-Stall Knobs, let me quote that for you.
Noctua’s S12 series impellers use a high angle of attack in order to achieve superior airflow. However, impellers with high angles of attack are typically more prone to undesired stall and flow separation phenomena that can occur when the fan is working against higher impedance such as when blowing through tight fan filters or when used on heatsinks and radiators.
In these situations when the fan is building up high pressure but less air is moving through, the speed of the air particles flowing alongside the suction side of the fan blades gradually decreases towards the trailing edge.
The lower the speed and the higher the counter-pressure, the higher the risk of the air particles becoming detached from the blade surface. This flow separation phenomenon known as stall leads to undesired turbulence, reduced efficiency and translates into a dent in the fan’s performance curve.
Anti Stall Knobs
The NF-S12A features Anti-Stall Knobs close to the trailing edges of the fan blades. By speeding up the air at this critical point of the blade profile, the Anti-Stall Knobs reduce the risk of undesired stall and flow separation phenomena
This means that the NF-S12A works more efficient than its predecessors in most mid- to high impedance situations despite its slightly lower maximum pressure: While providing a bit less static pressure at the shut off point, the NF-S12A produces more pressure throughout most of the curve, making it better suited for all-round use, tight air filters or even heatsinks and radiators:
Comparing the NF-S12A’s performance curve to its predecessor’s, the improved stall margin is immediately visible: Thanks to the suppression of the stall effect, the dent in the curve occurs much later and less pronounced than with the NF-S12B. Combined with its higher maximum airflow in free flow and further reduced noise emission, this allows the NF-S12A to achieve even better results than its renowned predecessor.
And there you have it folks, a great follow up on the old model, it is in line with the new line of fans like the Noctua NF14 series we reviewed a while back.
So in short, what can I say… It’s proper Noctua quality as we are used with added new innovations with every new design they bring out, bringing great airflow with minimal noise, and doing it reliable they are build to last (I still use 5 year old Noctua fans) 6 years warranty. They are a bit more expensive than your “regular” fans but they worth every single penny.