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Arctic F12 PWM vs Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200: Comparison

What is the difference between Arctic F12 PWM and Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200?

Start with airflow, because it is the widest measured gap between them: Arctic F12 PWM 53.0 CFM against Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200 64.92 CFM, 18% in favour of Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200. Add static pressure to that, 1.0 mmH2O on the Arctic F12 PWM versus 1.29 mmH2O on the Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200, and the pattern holds. Arctic F12 PWM also leads on max speed, 1350 RPM on the Arctic F12 PWM versus 1200 RPM on the Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200. They differ on start voltage too, 6.0 V on the Arctic F12 PWM versus 7 V on the Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200.

Which should you buy, Arctic F12 PWM or Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200?

The Arctic F12 PWM is the one to take for budget case intake/exhaust replacements and unobstructed airflow positions, though it is the wrong buy for radiator or filtered-intake duty (choose the P-series instead) and RGB builds. Buy the Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200 for budget 140mm case intake/exhaust and quiet HTPC builds, though it is not the pick for radiator or heatsink duty and max-airflow positive-pressure builds. Our rating of the Arctic F12 PWM (7/10): the no-frills budget fan pick when a build just needs more quiet case airflow. Our rating of the Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200 (7/10): A sensible budget 140mm pick when you want Noctua's fit and finish without paying for the flagship A-series.

What Arctic F12 PWM and Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200 have in common

The common ground is wider than the gap: bearing type, lighting connector, fan thickness, max power draw and rgb lighting are identical here. They match on 4 further specifications as well.

Frequently asked questions

Do the Arctic F12 PWM and Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200 differ on noise level?

Yes. Noise Level reads 22.5 dBA on the Arctic F12 PWM versus 19.6 dBA on the Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200.

Is the Lighting Type the same on the Arctic F12 PWM and Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200?

It is. Both are listed at None, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.

Arctic F12 PWM (120mm/53.0 CFM/0.75 mmH2O Static Pressure/1350 RPM Max/22.5 dBA/Fluid Dynamic Bearing/No RGB/PWM)
Arctic
Arctic F12 PWM
Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200 (140mm/48.6 CFM/1.19 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/19.2 dBA/SSO Bearing/No RGB/PWM)
Noctua
Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200

Specs and benchmarks

  • Fan Size

    Arctic F12 PWM
    120 mm
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    140 mm

  • Brand

    Arctic F12 PWM
    Arctic
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    Noctua

  • Model

    Arctic F12 PWM
    F12 PWM
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    NF-P14s redux-1200

  • Bearing Type

    Arctic F12 PWM
    Fluid Dynamic
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    Fluid Dynamic

  • Lighting

    Arctic F12 PWM
    No RGB
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    None

  • Fan Thickness

    Arctic F12 PWM
    25 mm
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    25 mm

  • Static Pressure

    Arctic F12 PWM
    1.0 mmH2O-22%
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    1.29 mmH2OBest

  • Max Speed

    Arctic F12 PWM
    1350 RPMBest
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    1200 RPM-11%

  • Airflow

    Arctic F12 PWM
    53.0 CFM-18%
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    64.92 CFMBest

  • Noise Level

    Arctic F12 PWM
    22.5 dBA
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    19.6 dBABest

  • PWM Control

    Arctic F12 PWM
    Yes
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    No

  • Max Power Draw

    Arctic F12 PWM
    1.44 W
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    1.44 W

  • Start Voltage

    Arctic F12 PWM
    6.0 V
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    7 V

  • Connector Type

    Arctic F12 PWM
    4-Pin PWM
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    3-Pin DC

  • Lighting Connector

    Arctic F12 PWM
    None
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    None

  • RGB Lighting

    Arctic F12 PWM
    No
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    No

  • Lighting Type

    Arctic F12 PWM
    None
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    None

  • Colorway

    Arctic F12 PWM
    Black
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    Other

  • Cable Length

    Arctic F12 PWM
    400 mm
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    400 mm

  • Weight

    Arctic F12 PWM
    105 gBest
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    195 g

  • Warranty

    Arctic F12 PWM
    6 years
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    6 years

  • Positioning

    Arctic F12 PWM
    Budget
    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    Budget

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose Arctic F12 PWM if you want the higher max speed (1350 RPM vs 1200 RPM) and the higher warranty (6 years vs 6 years).

    Choose Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200 if you want the higher static pressure (1.29 mmH2O vs 1.0 mmH2O), the higher airflow (64.92 CFM vs 53.0 CFM) and the lower noise level (19.6 dBA vs 22.5 dBA).

    Price comparison

    RetailerArctic F12 PWMNoctua NF-P14s redux-1200
    NoctuaView on Noctua

    Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.

    Verdict

    Arctic F12 PWM

    7 / 10 Expert Rating

    The no-frills budget fan pick when a build just needs more quiet case airflow.

    Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200

    7 / 10 Expert Rating

    A sensible budget 140mm pick when you want Noctua's fit and finish without paying for the flagship A-series.

    More comparisons in Case Fans