Phanteks T30-120 Fan

[Ferrum Master]

I mean
Because dB is a logarithmic unit.
Same amount of difference of dB does not mean same amount of difference in sound energy

32 dB to 36dB
34 dB to 38dB
are both 4dB difference.
But they are not the same amount of difference in sound energy.
34dB to 38dB is a much greater difference.

It is amusing that you have to teach basic elementary school topics to an adult sometimes here


3dB is two times louder. Just remember that rule peps. Imagine as greater voltage swing. It actually math wise correlates.

And it is because we are not static, human beings and our perception is not linear. Same as our vision is not limited to constant 24Hz.

 

[Crackong]

It is amusing that you have to teach basic elementary school topics to an adult sometimes here


3dB is two times louder. Just remember that rule peps. Imagine as greater voltage swing. It actually math wise correlates.

And it is because we are not static, human beings and our perception is not linear. Same as our vision is not limited to constant 24Hz.

Sometimes even tech companies made those mistakes.
For examples Thermaltake's 20% cooler ram temperature claim in their product review......

 

[usiname]

It is amusing that you have to teach basic elementary school topics to an adult sometimes here


3dB is two times louder. Just remember that rule peps. Imagine as greater voltage swing. It actually math wise correlates.

And it is because we are not static, human beings and our perception is not linear. Same as our vision is not limited to constant 24Hz.

Its amusing that you forget that not only T30 increase its noise, but also A12x25 . My point is valid, at higher speed T30 gain advantage over A12x25, prove me wrong if you can

 

[Ferrum Master]

Sometimes even tech companies made those mistakes.
For examples Thermaltake's 20% cooler ram temperature claim in their product review......

Oh... that reminds me of the Chinglish issues they have.

But there are brute mistakes, just like surfing ali

Its amusing that you forget that not only T30 increase its noise, but also A12x25 . My point is valid, at higher speed T30 gain advantage over A12x25, prove me wrong if you can

It is more complicated than that. The measured noise is averaged in between harmonics. The blade design dictates it. Not the size. It could be anything. Under certain RPM second and other harmonics much higher can rise up and down. Aerodynamics isn't my field, that's for aviation guys.

 

[usiname]

It is more complicated than that. The measured noise is averaged in between harmonics. The blade design dictates it. Not the size. It could be anything. Under certain RPM second and other harmonics much higher can rise up and down. Aerodynamics isn't my field, that's for aviation guys.

We have constant ambience here and with this conditions as I said T30 gain advantage with higher RPM, of course with different ambience we will have different results, but for this ceratain situation I am right. I said that comparing fans at different speed with 4 different variables is not good idea and when we have equal CFM or db we can get the best results. As I said, prove me wrong, instead to spend your time to insult me.

 

[VSG]

Dividing CFM and dBA isn't completely logical yes, it is mentioned as much in the review. But it was something others had requested as a visual means to grasp both results collectively, no more.

 

[Ferrum Master]

We have constant ambience here and with this conditions as I said T30 gain advantage with higher RPM

I've said why it is not granted actually too. It could be a complete opposite exactly because of blade design.

 

[usiname]

I've said why it is not granted actually too. It could be a complete opposite exactly because of blade design.

What the blade design have to do here? We have same ambiece, two fans and different speeds. My point is that T30 increase its efficiency with higher speed compared to A12x25 and you start to speak for possible factors like blades and temperatures that COULD in a certain situation change the result. So you admit I'm right, thank you. If you can't support your theories with real tests of T30 and A12x25 in different temperatures, humidity or something else why you keep arguing?

 

[Crackong]

Dividing CFM and dBA isn't completely logical yes, it is mentioned as much in the review. But it was something others had requested as a visual means to grasp both results collectively, no more.

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Memmento Mori]

Very nice reading and well done review

Is there any chance to have an review and comparison with ThermalRight fans (TL-C12 PRO, TL-D14X, TL-C14X)? Always seeing news here about their coolers but no reviews at all.... Or I'm missing something?

 

[VSG]

Very nice reading and well done review

Is there any chance to have an review and comparison with ThermalRight fans (TL-C12 PRO, TL-D14X, TL-C14X)? Always seeing news here about their coolers but no reviews at all.... Or I'm missing something?

Thermalright has zero marketing presence, so not much I can do. I did have the TY-143SQ in fan reviews until this one, and removed it because it's another of the 140 mm fans with 120 mm fan hole spacing: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/corsair-icue-sp120-rgb-elite-fan/5.html

 

[Dredi]

Dividing CFM and dBA isn't completely logical yes, it is mentioned as much in the review. But it was something others had requested as a visual means to grasp both results collectively, no more.

A better way would be to plot the existing db/cfm data (on a curve) and then interpolate the cfm’s for a fixed db value, and finally compare those against each other. This can be achieved with the data you already have gathered, you’d just need to make a script for plotting the measurements and selecting interpolated values for different db values.

even better would be to just scrap the whole ”performance at a given rpm” thinking, as it serves no purpose. People are always interested in either just max performance, or performance at a given noise level.

 

[VSG]

even better would be to just scrap the whole ”performance at a given rpm” thinking, as it serves no purpose. People are always interested in either just max performance, or performance at a given noise level.

That's what I was going with thus far, but there is no one solution which will please everyone without taking up immense amounts of my time. I'll try this out for a couple of other reviews and explictly mention it is not very accurate, and then let the horde decide.

 

[Dredi]

That's what I was going with thus far, but there is no one solution which will please everyone without taking up immense amounts of my time. I'll try this out for a couple of other reviews and explictly mention it is not very accurate, and then let the horde decide.

I was just trying to help you find the best way to use the data you have gathered.

Here is a concrete example of what I meant, comparing the new contender vs. NF A12x25:

In the article you state "Regardless, Phanteks obviously has done what many others have tried by deposing the Noctua NF-A12x25 from its throne after a 3-year reign.", which is simply not correct.
As seen from the CFM vs. dB(A) table above, constructed from the very same data you collected (there is a slight chance that I messed up when copying the data, please verify), it is clear that this is (at most) a tie, rather than an obvious win for phanteks.
at 27-30 dB noctua wins.
at 31-35 dB it's a tie.
at 36+ dB phanteks wins.


This is why you simply cannot divide CFM by dB(A) and call it a day.

 

[VSG]

I was just trying to help you find the best way to use the data you have gathered.

Here is a concrete example of what I meant, comparing the new contender vs. NF A12x25:
View attachment 212397
In the article you state "Regardless, Phanteks obviously has done what many others have tried by deposing the Noctua NF-A12x25 from its throne after a 3-year reign.", which is simply not correct.
As seen from the CFM vs. dB(A) table above, constructed from the very same data you collected (there is a slight chance that I messed up when copying the data, please verify), it is clear that this is (at most) a tie, rather than an obvious win for phanteks.
at 27-30 dB noctua wins.
at 31-35 dB it's a tie.
at 36+ dB phanteks wins.


This is why you simply cannot divide CFM by dB(A) and call it a day.

There are plenty of other things in my books in taking the throne, not just CFM and noise. I mention how the minimal sample variation and the excellent RPM response with three modes got me more excited than the actual performance. That statement I made was at the end of all the testing, and I stand by it.

 

[Dredi]

That statement I made was at the end of all the testing, and I stand by it.

I just assumed that it was relative to the 'noise normalized results', as it was written on that page. Anyway, I'd at least move that mention to the last page, and use a better way to display the results on the 'noise normalized results' page, as the current one gives explicitly wrong results (showing that phanteks would perform better for CFM/noise on low-mid rpm's).

Also, this mention in the conclusion table is a bit misleading, considering the plotted CFM vs. dB above: "Best-tested fan from a noise-normalized basis". There is also the word "outperformed" in the comparison to the noctua. While that is true at high noise levels, it should be said in that context and not as an all encompassing statement.

Is it a very good fan at mid to high noise levels? Yes.
Does it beat noctua at low to mid noise levels? a definite No.

 

[mechtech]

Ok because in USA we use much higher RPM then EU people 1500 is like nothing here .

Here 3000RPM fan or that can do it, for your review next time if you can. No need 200 rpm step. 2000/2500/3000 is good and standard I think. On top of that, you can all use them for lower RPM compare too

Phanteks T30-120
Iceberg Thermal IceGALE Xtra
NF-F12 INDUSTRIALPPC-3000 PWM
EK Water Blocks EK-Furious Vardar
ENERMAX D.F. STORM 3500RPM
Delta Electronics AFC1212D-PWM
Gentle Typhoon D1225C12GT3000-P
TOUGHFAN 12 Turbo High Static 2500RPM*

Lol I have old 900rpm scythes in my pc that idle around 450rpm. Silence is golden.

 

[SP33DST3R]

I just assumed that it was relative to the 'noise normalized results', as it was written on that page. Anyway, I'd at least move that mention to the last page, and use a better way to display the results on the 'noise normalized results' page, as the current one gives explicitly wrong results (showing that phanteks would perform better for CFM/noise on low-mid rpm's).

Also, this mention in the conclusion table is a bit misleading, considering the plotted CFM vs. dB above: "Best-tested fan from a noise-normalized basis". There is also the word "outperformed" in the comparison to the noctua. While that is true at high noise levels, it should be said in that context and not as an all encompassing statement.

Is it a very good fan at mid to high noise levels? Yes.
Does it beat noctua at low to mid noise levels? a definite No.

If you're looking for noise-normalized results, Tech buyer's guru also did testings with the T30 vs A12 and the results showing the T30 is doing better.

 

[SN2716057]

Nice. Now bring out a 3-pin variant and lower the cost by a lot. I won't ask for much more

 

[nguyen]

Well from this review the Phanteks fan does beat out Noctua NF-A12 by an appreciable margin at low speeds and almost tie at 2000RPM, however the Phanteks can go to 3000RPM for even higher performance

TL;DR at 1200-1250RPM noise normalized, Phantek beat Notua by 2-3C coolant temp, 1C difference at ~1600RPM and <0.5C difference at ~2000RPM, going full blast from 2000 to 3000rpm the Phantek can lower coolant temp by another 2C. Phanteks T30-120 is just perfect for all usage scenario.

 

[sector-z]

Lol I have old 900rpm scythes in my pc that idle around 450rpm. Silence is golden.

Yes but your cooling potentiel is very shitty with that. That Phantek fan are really not for the same type of people like you. But more for High FPI Rad 20/30 Rad and Heavy OC PC or Hot ambiant temps country

 

[Dredi]

If you're looking for noise-normalized results, Tech buyer's guru also did testings with the T30 vs A12 and the results showing the T30 is doing better.

Well from this review the Phanteks fan does beat out Noctua NF-A12 by an appreciable margin at low speeds and almost tie at 2000RPM, however the Phanteks can go to 3000RPM for even higher performance

TL;DR at 1200-1250RPM noise normalized, Phantek beat Notua by 2-3C coolant temp, 1C difference at ~1600RPM and <0.5C difference at ~2000RPM, going full blast from 2000 to 3000rpm the Phantek can lower coolant temp by another 2C. Phanteks T30-120 is just perfect for all usage scenario.

Yeah, surprising to have such different results to the ones @VSG got here. Of course noise measurements are difficult and results may wary. I'd imagine that these work better with very thick rads and even fin density plays a clear role.

 

[mechtech]

Yes but your cooling potentiel is very shitty with that. That Phantek fan are really not for the same type of people like you. But more for High FPI Rad 20/30 Rad and Heavy OC PC or Hot ambiant temps country

Cooling potential is good, as long as don't OC, or like you said live somewhere where its 30C, I am fortunate to have AC so my room temp does not go past 24C. My cpu never breaks 50C with any benchmark. I would consider these fans though cause they have 1000 rpm setting.

 

[CheapMeat]

These look amazing. Do you think they would be a good pairing for my Rosewill 4U chassis front intakes? I'm not using hotswap bays, so 3.5" HDDs would be right behind them. I think 30mm fan will fit.

 

[Tomgang]

Holy dam s**t. These fans are the new benchmark to beat. Wide rpm range from around 300 rpm to 3000 RPM. The 30 MM thickness help it seems, if they can fit in your Build. The 3 Switch modes are also I good idea i think or at least they try something new. It's the first time I see a switch on a fan line that.

The only thing these fans are missing in some eyes, are RGB light and I would had preferred complete black coluer to fit my build the best. But over all impressive fans for sure.

But I am not going out and replacing my fans. I just built a new system with lian li uni fan SL120 as case fans and a pair of noctua industrial ippc 3000 RPM fans.