Wednesday, November 9th 2011

Noctua Introduces NF-F12 Focused Flow Fan

Noctua today introduced the new NF-F12 120mm Focused Flow fan. Teaming up eleven stator guide vanes with a specially conceived seven blade impeller, the NF-F12's Focused Flow system creates outstanding static pressure and focuses the airflow for superior performance on heatsinks and radiators. At the same time, a wide range of advanced aerodynamic design measures, second generation SSO-Bearings and Noctua's new, custom designed PWM IC for fully automatic control guarantee astounding quietness of operation.

"Our award-winning NF-P12 has become a standard choice for pressure demanding applications such as CPU coolers and radiators, but we've been striving to achieve even better performance in this domain, and this is how the NF-F12 was born", explains Mag. Roland Mossig, Noctua CEO. "Due to the stator guide vanes focussing the airflow, it can push the air through dense fin stacks more effectively. This type of design has mostly been used for noisy high speed fans so far, so our engineers have put a lot of thought into keeping the noise in check."
The NF-F12 uses a wide range of aerodynamic optimisations in order to refine the fan's acoustic qualities. For example, the NF-F12's stator guide vanes are set out in Varying Angular Distance and feature Vortex-Control Notches. Both measures help to spread the noise emission over a broader frequency spectrum and thus make the fan's sound pattern more agreeable to the human ear. Another novel measure introduced with the NF-F12 is the Stepped Inlet Design, which adds turbulence to the influx in order to facilitate the transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow. This measure reduces tonal intake noise, improves flow attachment and increases suction capacity, especially in space restricted environments.

In addition to its advanced aerodynamic features, the NF-F12 is the first fan to implement the further optimised second generation of Noctua's renowned, time-tested SSO bearing as well as the novel, custom designed NE-FD1 PWM IC for fully automatic PWM speed control. The NE-FD1 integrates Noctua's Smooth Commutation Drive (SCD) technology for quieter operation and allows for ultra-low power consumption: Drawing only 0.6W, the NF-F12 consumes more than 50% less than many fans in the same speed range. This doesn't only make it eco-friendly but also cuts down the electricity bill.

Last but not least, the NF-F12 comes with modular cabling, integrated anti-vibration pads and two speed settings for full flexibility. Its commanding performance, exhaustive set of features and Noctua's trusted premium quality make it an elite choice for use on air coolers, radiators and other pressure demanding applications.

Price and availability
The NF-F12 will be available immediately at a recommended retail price of EUR 19.90 / USD 24.90.

For more information, visit the product page.
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39 Comments on Noctua Introduces NF-F12 Focused Flow Fan

#1
LAN_deRf_HA
As I recall Noctua fans are rather mediocre, save for when they're used on their own heatsinks. Mediocre + ridiculous price + bloody booger red = GTFO
Posted on Reply
#2
Thrackan
LAN_deRf_HAAs I recall Noctua fans are rather mediocre, save for when they're used on their own heatsinks. Mediocre + ridiculous price + bloody booger red = GTFO
As I recall Noctua fans are pretty nice and quiet. Also, I hope to never get a booger that colour out of my nose :D

Would love to see these tested soon.
Posted on Reply
#3
m4gicfour
btarunrDrawing only 0.6W, the NF-F12 consumes more than 50% less than many fans in the same speed range.
Well that was awkwardly worded.
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#4
n-ster
Damn, I am going to save 0.6W with this fan! better pay 20$ more, ie: 5x the price!

at 10 cents the kWh, that would mean it would take 200kWh to save 20$, so it would take over 325 000 hours to save money, or over 38 years of 24/7 use. Even if you consider yourself paying only a 5$ premium, it would still take 9 years to save 5$ of electricity.

Yup, great deal
Posted on Reply
#5
N-Gen
m4gicfourWell that was awkwardly worded.
It hurts....my brain.

Anyway, if they gave me the option ta have one in all black, I'd probably get a couple for case fans. But with those colours...no thank you, I'd get a Scythe GT 1850, which is cheaper anyway.
Posted on Reply
#6
treboRR
LAN_deRf_HAAs I recall Noctua fans are rather mediocre, save for when they're used on their own heatsinks. Mediocre + ridiculous price + bloody booger red = GTFO
i must say the quality is the word with these fans!!!! NO OTHER FAN maker can compite whit that kind of quality! Compare what fan u like! Other fans just feel soo cheap compared to these fans!:nutkick:
Posted on Reply
#7
m4gicfour
n-sterDamn, I am going to save 0.6W with this fan! better pay 20$ more, ie: 5x the price!

at 10 cents the kWh, that would mean it would take 200kWh to save 20$, so it would take over 325 000 hours to save money, or over 38 years of 24/7 use. Even if you consider yourself paying only a 5$ premium, it would still take 9 years to save 5$ of electricity.

Yup, great deal
Yeah, it's less an issue of money saved than how many fans could be hooked to one channel on a fan controller or motherboard header. That said, 0.6w at 12v is only an 0.05a difference, so it's still almost completely insignificant.
N-GenIt hurts....my brain.

Anyway, if they gave me the option ta have one in all black, I'd probably get a couple for case fans. But with those colours...no thank you, I'd get a Scythe GT 1850, which is cheaper anyway.
If you like the fan but not the color, there's always spray paint. Of course precautions should be taken to avoid paint getting anywhere it shouldn't.
Posted on Reply
#8
N-Gen
m4gicfourIf you like the fan but not the color, there's always spray paint. Of course precautions should be taken to avoid paint getting anywhere it shouldn't.
That's what bothers me, if I mess up (which is not that hard to do, lol) I'd be throwing out 20 euros.
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#9
Drone
USD 24.90
huh? no, thanks.
Posted on Reply
#10
BarbaricSoul
why does Noctua use such ugly colors for thier fans?
Posted on Reply
#11
RejZoR
Finally someone slimmed down the holding beams that hold motor and rotor in the middle of the fan frame. Those beams are usually so fat they stop half of the air flow and make them super noisy...
Posted on Reply
#12
halfwaythere
Sweet marketing BS right there.

Noctua fans have the worst air pressure in the world. I know this because I own a couple. As for the quality of the "craftsmanship", it evaporates as soon as you pick up any decent fan, being Delta, San Ace or even the much cheaper Nidec made Gentle Typhoons.
Posted on Reply
#13
Fourstaff
Everytime Noctua announces a new product, there is always someone who doesn't know that Noctua only use these colours complaining about the ugly colour scheme.

Premium product with premium quality and premium warranty will always demand a premium price. Note that I never said anything about performance.
Posted on Reply
#14
N-Gen
halfwaythereSweet marketing BS right there.

Noctua fans have the worst air pressure in the world. I know this because I own a couple. As for the quality of the "craftsmanship", it evaporates as soon as you pick up any decent fan, being Delta, San Ace or even the much cheaper Nidec made Gentle Typhoons.
"Lower" end Deltas are not so expensive nowadays. The AFB series are around $17. I used to own a TFB1212GHE, which I broke (hit the blades). PFB1212UHE...which you won't live with every day and an AFB1212SHE, cranked down at 5v it's still audible, yet tolerable. If it weren't for them being noisy I'd just go for them...maybe the reason why I'd opt for a Scythe GT is because it uses double ball bearings like all the Deltas do.

I see so many fans around nowadays with slight blade variations such as notches or curved blades, at the end it's all down to user preference, they will probably want to pay this amount of money to have no noise (although there are many cheaper alternatives).
Posted on Reply
#15
RejZoR
I never liked their skin tone colors. If i need a fan i always go to Noiseblocker first. Never been disappointed in years and i'm only using their lowest end range of fans. They are nice looking, good airflow, silent and easy for maintenance (they are sleeve bearing after all).
I've had 2 Noctua fans (with a Noctua CPU cooler) in my hands when i was assembling the system for a friend and they weren't silent at all and one was clicking in intervals while spinning. Not exactly impressive.
Posted on Reply
#16
Th3pwn3r
halfwaythereSweet marketing BS right there.

Noctua fans have the worst air pressure in the world. I know this because I own a couple. As for the quality of the "craftsmanship", it evaporates as soon as you pick up any decent fan, being Delta, San Ace or even the much cheaper Nidec made Gentle Typhoons.
Saying the fans have the worst air pressure in the world is beyond retarded. How did you measure this pressure? Do you have access to a flow bench? I doubt you do. Pressure also comes down to the area or space the air has to flow in, with greater area you're not going to have as much pressure. It's possible you "tested" Noctua fans and others in the same environment but other than placing your hand in front of the fans I doubt you did any real testing. Do you have a good understanding of volumetric efficiency as well? I'd be interested in seeing the data you have logged from your "tests". Thanks if you have it and can upload said data.
Posted on Reply
#17
shilka
Fancontroller

You what silent fans buy a fancontroller problem solved.
Posted on Reply
#18
Batou1986
Th3pwn3rSaying the fans have the worst air pressure in the world is beyond retarded. How did you measure this pressure? Do you have access to a flow bench? I doubt you do. Pressure also comes down to the area or space the air has to flow in, with greater area you're not going to have as much pressure. It's possible you "tested" Noctua fans and others in the same environment but other than placing your hand in front of the fans I doubt you did any real testing. Do you have a good understanding of volumetric efficiency as well? I'd be interested in seeing the data you have logged from your "tests". Thanks if you have it and can upload said data.
Agreed its real annoying when people confuse there opinions with facts, which in turn may cause people to not buy a that works as advertised.
shilkaYou what silent fans buy a fan controller problem solved.
That's all well and good if the fans are capable of moving enough air at 30% power.
This does not solve the problem of wanting a fan to push air through a radiator without being loud unless there's some new fan controller that uses magical powers to to eliminate noise
Posted on Reply
#19
BarbaricSoul
FourstaffEverytime Noctua announces a new product, there is always someone who doesn't know that Noctua only use these colours complaining about the ugly colour scheme.
I am very aware of the fact that Noctua only uses those colors, that doesn't answer or change the question. Why would anyone want those ugly ass colors in thier custom built blinged out computer?
Posted on Reply
#20
Fourstaff
BarbaricSoulI am very aware of the fact that Noctua only uses those colors, that doesn't answer or change the question. Why would anyone want those ugly ass colors in thier custom built blinged out computer?
If you are aware then why do you ask? You are better off getting a football team to change their T-shirt colours, or getting Coke to start marketing their drinks in Pepsi-Blue colours instead. Its all about brand recognition and colour association: we associate Intel with Intel blue, Coke with red, Pepsi with blue, Royalty with Purple/gold depending on where you are from, and so on. Unless there is a shift in marketing strategy, they are going to stick with these colours.
Posted on Reply
#21
claylomax
ThrackanAs I recall Noctua fans are pretty nice and quiet. Also, I hope to never get a booger that colour out of my nose :D

Would love to see these tested soon.
You're wrong, he's right.
Posted on Reply
#22
Fx
BarbaricSoulI am very aware of the fact that Noctua only uses those colors, that doesn't answer or change the question. Why would anyone want those ugly ass colors in thier custom built blinged out computer?
lots of people have grown past the stage of blinging out their PCs or never even tried it- I am in the first group. it isnt that I dont want my PC to look nice but I focus on performance and function before looks on the interior of every one of my PCs. I dont need a side window with neon lights to feel cool
Th3pwn3rSaying the fans have the worst air pressure in the world is beyond retarded. How did you measure this pressure? Do you have access to a flow bench? I doubt you do. Pressure also comes down to the area or space the air has to flow in, with greater area you're not going to have as much pressure. It's possible you "tested" Noctua fans and others in the same environment but other than placing your hand in front of the fans I doubt you did any real testing. Do you have a good understanding of volumetric efficiency as well? I'd be interested in seeing the data you have logged from your "tests". Thanks if you have it and can upload said data.
+1
RejZoRI never liked their skin tone colors. If i need a fan i always go to Noiseblocker first. Never been disappointed in years and i'm only using their lowest end range of fans. They are nice looking, good airflow, silent and easy for maintenance (they are sleeve bearing after all).
I've had 2 Noctua fans (with a Noctua CPU cooler) in my hands when i was assembling the system for a friend and they weren't silent at all and one was clicking in intervals while spinning. Not exactly impressive.
perhaps you got some bad fans. I have had about 12 fans (case and cpu cooling) and all of them performed as advertised
Posted on Reply
#23
Thrackan
claylomaxYou're wrong, he's right.
Argumentative user is being argumentative :D

But seriously, I was quite content about the fans on my NH-U12P. As for the colour issue, that's just to show off you have expensive Noctua fans, and not some "cheap" black ones.
Posted on Reply
#24
N-Gen
ThrackanArgumentative user is being argumentative :D

But seriously, I was quite content about the fans on my NH-U12P. As for the colour issue, that's just to show off you have expensive Noctua fans, and not some "cheap" black ones.
So you're telling me I can't show off my expensive Delta fans because they're black and not another random uncommon colour? ...I r disappoint. But I can see it now...a Noctua fan themed case...
Posted on Reply
#25
Thrackan
N-GenSo you're telling me I can't show off my expensive Delta fans because they're black and not another random uncommon colour? ...I r disappoint. But I can see it now...a Noctua fan themed case...
Of course you can, but in any pic, you'll instantly recognise a Noctua fan. Same for the cool leds on the Enermax fans, or those turbine thingies.

I still have some San Aces, but in a pic it could be any brand.
Posted on Reply
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