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Arctic F12 PWM vs Noctua NF-S12A PWM: Comparison
Arctic F12 PWM and Noctua NF-S12A PWM differ on bearing type: Arctic F12 PWM at Fluid Dynamic, Noctua NF-S12A PWM at SSO.
Specs
| Specification | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
| Fan Size | 120 mm | 120 |
| Brand | Arctic | Noctua |
| Model | F12 PWM | NF-S12A PWM |
| Bearing Type | Fluid Dynamic | SSO |
| Lighting | No RGB | No RGB |
| Static Pressure | 1.0 mmH2O-6% | 1.06 |
| Max Speed | 1350 RPM | 1200-11% |
| Noise Level | 22.5 dBA+4.7 dBA | 17.8 |
| Airflow | 53.0 CFM | 44.9-15% |
| PWM Control | Yes | true |
| Positioning | Budget | Premium quiet |
Price comparison
| Retailer | Arctic F12 PWM | Noctua NF-S12A PWM |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg |
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-S12A PWM
8 / 10 Expert Rating
An excellent quiet airflow fan for open cases, but expensive per-fan for how little static pressure it offers.




