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

#26
N-Gen
ThrackanOf 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.
True, but we'd emphasize it on close shots on the labels ;) I'm still not sure how justifiable Noctua fan prices are compared to other similar fans with the same specs though...or let's say, not so clear.
Posted on Reply
#27
Thrackan
N-GenTrue, but we'd emphasize it on close shots on the labels ;) I'm still not sure how justifiable Noctua fan prices are compared to other similar fans with the same specs though...or let's say, not so clear.
I think I'm going to make my second Apple comparison of the day :D
- Looks different
- More expensive than other brands
- Extra cost not directly justifiable

Hmm...
Posted on Reply
#28
N-Gen
ThrackanI think I'm going to make my second Apple comparison of the day :D
- Looks different
- More expensive than other brands
- Extra cost not directly justifiable

Hmm...
The brain doesn't comprehend. I can say this for myself, I did buy an Alienware back in 2007 for a ridiculous amount of money, but being still 16 years old and always wanting one, I got one...just to discover after I bought it, that a Dell XPS is the same thing for less the money. Note to self, avoid "different" looking things.
Posted on Reply
#29
fochkoph
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
Agreed, as far as I know, Noctua fans are only quiet because they operate at lower RPMs than most performance fans do. I'm more interested in those strakes that 'focus' air flow. Hoping someone is going to review these soon.
Posted on Reply
#31
halfwaythere
Is this good enough for you:



As you can see on the more pressure demanding heatsink, TRUE copper in this case, the Noctua came in last.

I'm pretty sure this isn't good enough because practical tests are always flawed when the results are not satisfying for the product you folks love. :)
Posted on Reply
#33
Octopuss
I am curious if this performs better than my current NF-S12B FLX which I use as system fan. Also using the older P12 on CPU and I don't complain about that one either. In fact, recently I opened my case and decided to clean the fans after some 3 years of heavy use, and despite them being totally black from all the shit that accumulated there over the time, the inside of the fan was perfectly clear and the fan was as quiet as new. I don't really have any problems with Noctua. So what they are expensive, $25 worth product that lasts 3 years is damn good deal to me.
Posted on Reply
#34
TheLaughingMan
halfwaythereIs this good enough for you:

forum.lab501.ro/attachment.php?attachmentid=11983&stc=1&d=1287008941

As you can see on the more pressure demanding heatsink, TRUE copper in this case, the Noctua came in last.

I'm pretty sure this isn't good enough because practical tests are always flawed when the results are not satisfying for the product you folks love. :)
Yeah, it lost by 1 to 2 degrees to fans that were runing at higher RPMs. Most people are willing to sacrifice a degree or two to bring thei noise down 3 to 7 dbA.
fochkophAgreed, as far as I know, Noctua fans are only quiet because they operate at lower RPMs than most performance fans do. I'm more interested in those strakes that 'focus' air flow. Hoping someone is going to review these soon.
The trick here is this fan operates at 1300 to 1500 RPM which is average speed for a fan this size, but still maintains the same price and noise level of the old Noctua fans. Then tops that off by using less power and providing anti-vibration stuff. See the noise a fan makes in your case is not limited to just the impeller. So while other fans may seem like they are the same, they are usually much louder due to vibration against the case and fan wobble. This fan will do neither and thus still generate less noise even though the specs don't say that.

It also does a lot to change the tone of the noise to be less noticeable and focus the air flow to provide more pressure. Its like putting a tube behind a fan. nothing about the fan speed or airflow changed, but the air pressure you get at the end of the tube is higher.

And the price is more than reasonable. I can't explain the difference in quality very well, but trust me it is noticeable. The first time you get a Noctua fan you think, "Damn, why does this just feel like its much much better quality?"
Posted on Reply
#35
NdMk2o1o
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?
I rock 2 noctua fans on my NH-U12P SE2, granted I dont want to look at them all day long but I don't my rig is under my desk, they are quiet and provide adequate airflow, on that basis I can't fault them.

If anything I think these ones are an improvment over their older ones, definately more tasteful in design if not colour.
Posted on Reply
#36
halfwaythere
TheLaughingManYeah, it lost by 1 to 2 degrees to fans that were runing at higher RPMs. Most people are willing to sacrifice a degree or two to bring thei noise down 3 to 7 dbA.
I guess its pretty difficult to see facts with all this marketing mumbo jumbo around. Its in the title of the graph: 1300rpm all.

As for the "impressive" quality read my previous posts.
Posted on Reply
#37
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
half you guys need to get jobs that pay more then min wage :D and stop complaining about Noctua fans are to high in price. Im using a few of them and to tell ya the truth I wouldn't use anything but Noctua... Theres the low end junk fans and then theres the Professional high end get what you pay for fans ;)
Posted on Reply
#38
n-ster
fullinfusionhalf you guys need to get jobs that pay more then min wage :D and stop complaining about Noctua fans are to high in price. Im using a few of them and to tell ya the truth I wouldn't use anything but Noctua... Theres the low end junk fans and then theres the Professional high end get what you pay for fans ;)
But some competitors often the same quality for a lower price :)
Posted on Reply
#39
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
n-sterBut some competitors often the same quality for a lower price :)
I know that but its just my opinion... I like how fluid these fans run. I to date havent used anything better.
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