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Arctic P12 PWM PST vs SilverStone FQ121: Comparison
What is the difference between Arctic P12 PWM PST and SilverStone FQ121?
On airflow the spread is 17%, Arctic P12 PWM PST 56.3 CFM against SilverStone FQ121 67.5 CFM, so SilverStone FQ121 takes it. Arctic P12 PWM PST also leads on static pressure, 2.2 mmH2O on the Arctic P12 PWM PST versus 1.82 mmH2O on the SilverStone FQ121. There is a split on lighting as well, None on the Arctic P12 PWM PST versus No RGB on the SilverStone FQ121. On min speed there is little in it, 200 RPM on the Arctic P12 PWM PST versus 1000 RPM on the SilverStone FQ121. The weight figures are near enough to ignore, 145 g on the Arctic P12 PWM PST versus 143 g on the SilverStone FQ121.
Arctic P12 PWM PST vs SilverStone FQ121: which one fits your build
Take the Arctic P12 PWM PST for buyers filling an entire case with fans on a budget, the smartest cheapest meaningful upgrade available. The same goes for budget 240/360mm AIO radiator mounts, where the PST daisy-chain simplifies wiring. It is the wrong buy for buyers specifically wanting absolute best performance regardless of price, the Noctua NF-A12x25 or G2 is better for that. Buy the SilverStone FQ121 for CPU heatsink fans and filtered intake with dust screens, though it is not built for RGB builds and maximum airflow case builds. Our rating of the Arctic P12 PWM PST (9/10): the smartest cheapest meaningful upgrade available, roughly 80% of premium performance at under one-third of the price, with matching warranty. Our rating of the SilverStone FQ121 (7/10): A quiet, capable static-pressure fan that undercuts the premium brands without giving up much performance.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, fan size, bearing type, fan thickness, max speed and pwm control included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- Arctic P12 PWM PST
- 120 mm
- SilverStone FQ121
- 120 mm
Brand
- Arctic P12 PWM PST
- Arctic
- SilverStone FQ121
- SilverStone
Model
- Arctic P12 PWM PST
- P12 PWM PST
- SilverStone FQ121
- FQ121
Bearing Type
- Arctic P12 PWM PST
- Fluid Dynamic
- SilverStone FQ121
- Fluid Dynamic
Lighting
- Arctic P12 PWM PST
- None
- SilverStone FQ121
- No RGB
Fan Thickness
- Arctic P12 PWM PST
- 25 mm
- SilverStone FQ121
- 25 mm
Static Pressure
- Arctic P12 PWM PST
- 2.2 mmH2OBest
- SilverStone FQ121
- 1.82 mmH2O-17%
Max Speed
- Arctic P12 PWM PST
- 1800 RPM
- SilverStone FQ121
- 1800 RPM
Airflow
- Arctic P12 PWM PST
- 56.3 CFM-17%
- SilverStone FQ121
- 67.5 CFMBest
PWM Control
- Arctic P12 PWM PST
- Yes
- SilverStone FQ121
- Yes
Min Speed
- Arctic P12 PWM PST
- 200 RPM
- SilverStone FQ121
- 1000 RPMBest
Weight
- Arctic P12 PWM PST
- 145 g
- SilverStone FQ121
- 143 gBest
Which one should you pick?
Choose Arctic P12 PWM PST if you want the higher static pressure (2.2 mmH2O vs 1.82 mmH2O) and the higher max speed (1800 RPM vs 1800 RPM).
Choose SilverStone FQ121 if you want the higher airflow (67.5 CFM vs 56.3 CFM).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Arctic P12 PWM PST | SilverStone FQ121 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | |
| SilverStone | View on SilverStone |
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 P12 PWM PST
9 / 10 Expert Rating
The smartest cheapest meaningful upgrade available, roughly 80% of premium performance at under one-third of the price, with matching warranty.
SilverStone FQ121
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A quiet, capable static-pressure fan that undercuts the premium brands without giving up much performance.