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Arctic P8 Max vs SilverStone FN121: Comparison

Arctic P8 Max vs SilverStone FN121: the airflow difference

The gap that matters here is airflow: Arctic P8 Max 40 CFM against SilverStone FN121 58.47 CFM, which puts SilverStone FN121 32% ahead. Max speed runs the same way, 5000 RPM on the Arctic P8 Max versus 1200 RPM on the SilverStone FN121, another win for Arctic P8 Max. They differ on fan size too, 80 mm on the Arctic P8 Max versus 120 mm on the SilverStone FN121. There is a split on bearing type as well, Fluid Dynamic on the Arctic P8 Max versus Sleeve on the SilverStone FN121. Connector type is not the same on both, 4-Pin PWM on the Arctic P8 Max versus 3-Pin DC on the SilverStone FN121. They differ on pwm control too, Yes on the Arctic P8 Max versus No on the SilverStone FN121.

Which should you buy, Arctic P8 Max or SilverStone FN121?

Buy the Arctic P8 Max for SFF cases with only 80mm fan mounts and VRM or chipset heatsink cooling in tight spaces, though it is not built for any case with room for a 92mm or 120mm fan and noise-sensitive builds. The SilverStone FN121 is the one to take for budget case airflow and quiet everyday builds, though it is not the pick for radiator or heatsink duty and RGB builds. Our rating of the Arctic P8 Max (6/10): A genuinely useful fan for cramped SFF builds, but only worth the noise penalty when nothing larger fits. Our rating of the SilverStone FN121 (6/10): an unremarkable but reliably quiet budget fan for general case airflow.

Where the two are identical

Everything else lines up. Lighting read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Fan Size

    Arctic P8 Max
    80 mm
    SilverStone FN121
    120 mm
  • Brand

    Arctic P8 Max
    Arctic
    SilverStone FN121
    SilverStone
  • Model

    Arctic P8 Max
    P8 Max
    SilverStone FN121
    FN121-P
  • Bearing Type

    Arctic P8 Max
    Fluid Dynamic
    SilverStone FN121
    Sleeve
  • Lighting

    Arctic P8 Max
    No RGB
    SilverStone FN121
    No RGB
  • Max Speed

    Arctic P8 Max
    5000 RPMBest
    SilverStone FN121
    1200 RPM-76%
  • Airflow

    Arctic P8 Max
    40 CFM-32%
    SilverStone FN121
    58.47 CFMBest
  • PWM Control

    Arctic P8 Max
    Yes
    SilverStone FN121
    No
  • Connector Type

    Arctic P8 Max
    4-Pin PWM
    SilverStone FN121
    3-Pin DC

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose Arctic P8 Max if you want the higher max speed (5000 RPM vs 1200 RPM).

    Choose SilverStone FN121 if you want the higher airflow (58.47 CFM vs 40 CFM).

    Price comparison

    RetailerArctic P8 MaxSilverStone FN121
    AmazonView on Amazon
    SilverStoneView 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 P8 Max

    6 / 10 Expert Rating

    A genuinely useful fan for cramped SFF builds, but only worth the noise penalty when nothing larger fits.

    SilverStone FN121

    6 / 10 Expert Rating

    An unremarkable but reliably quiet budget fan for general case airflow.

    More comparisons in Case Fans