Performance Testing

Let's remind ourselves that the fan is rated for 1450 RPM (+/- 10%). All three fans hit an average of 1422 RPM at 12 V and went down to an average of 433 RPM at 30% voltage before turning off. That is a long 3.6-12 V range of control here and exceeds the rated 5-12 V range as well. The standard deviation between the three fan samples is well within expectations as well, so if these three are anything to go by, all the better. Context is needed to talk more about the fan's performance and noise, so I have below comparison charts for some fans tested so far at set RPM values (or as near as they can get to those).



I have included fans in charts where the rated RPM is within 50 RPM of the chart cutoff point, so we see the DarkSide Gentle Typhoon 1450 in the 1500 RPM chart here. This also means that some fans are in specific charts only if their rated speed is over 50 RPM off from a threshold value (Corsair SP120 RGB, for example) or they simply do not slow down enough (NB-eLoop B12-4, for example). The charts are to be considered for comparison within this result set only and are not to be compared with results from another test elsewhere owing to different testing conditions.

We see that the DarkSide Gentle Typhoon 1450 does a good job by being in the better half of both chart groups more often than not, and this good balance of performance and noise alike is what made it such a popular fan among PC DIY enthusiasts before. Things have progressed onward since, however, as the tried and tested rotor design with ball bearings gets bested by a few fans in both performance and noise alike. Take the Corsair ML120 PRO or be quiet! Silent Wings 3 fans here - both were released in H2, 2016 and are still among the very best you can get for radiator fans. If you prefer a more noise-optimized solution, perhaps the Phanteks PH-F120MP or Thermalright TY-143 SQ are for you. If you care more about outright performance only, the EK-Vardar or even Silverstone SST-FM121 do a better job. The DarkSide Gentle Typhoon 1450 is still decent, but not the best anymore.