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be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM vs Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM: Comparison
What is the difference between be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM and Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM?
On static pressure the spread is 38%, be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM 1.45 mmH2O against Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM 2.34 mmH2O, so Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM takes it. Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM also leads on airflow, 49.9 CFM on the be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM versus 56 CFM on the Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM. Max speed runs the same way, 1600 RPM on the be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM versus 2000 RPM on the Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM, another win for Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM.
Who each one is for
The be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM is the one to take for budget builds wanting a quiet reputation without premium pricing and case intake/exhaust duty, though it is the wrong buy for radiator or high-restriction mounting and multi-year unusual-orientation mounting (rifle bearing limits). The Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM suits Fractal Design case builds wanting matching aesthetics and minimalist RGB looks, though it is not built for maximum LED density lighting showcases and silent-at-max-speed priorities. Our rating of the be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM (7/10): A genuinely improved budget fan that punches above its price on quietness. Our rating of the Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM (7/10): A tastefully understated RGB fan for builders who want lighting that doesn't fight their case's design language.
Frequently asked questions
Do the be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM and Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM differ on noise level?
Yes. Noise Level reads 25.5 dBA on the be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM versus 33.2 dBA on the Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM.
Is the Fan Size the same on the be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM and Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM?
It is. Both are listed at 120 mm, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- 120 mm
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- 120 mm
Brand
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- be quiet!
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- Fractal Design
Model
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- Aspect 12 RGB PWM
Bearing Type
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- Rifle
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- Rifle
Lighting
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- No RGB
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- RGB
Static Pressure
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- 1.45 mmH2O-38%
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- 2.34 mmH2OBest
Max Speed
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- 1600 RPM-20%
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- 2000 RPMBest
Airflow
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- 49.9 CFM-11%
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- 56 CFMBest
Noise Level
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- 25.5 dBABest
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- 33.2 dBA
PWM Control
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- Yes
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- Yes
Rated Life
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- 80000 hours
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- 90000 hours
Max Power Draw
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- 2.4 W
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- 1.68 WBest
Connector Type
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- 4-Pin PWM
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- 4-Pin PWM
RGB Lighting
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- No
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- Yes
Colorway
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- Black
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- Black
Cable Length
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- 460 mm
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- 500 mm
Weight
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- 148 g
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- 135 gBest
Positioning
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
- Budget
- Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
- Mainstream
Which one should you pick?
Choose be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM if you want the lower noise level (25.5 dBA vs 33.2 dBA).
Choose Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM if you want the higher static pressure (2.34 mmH2O vs 1.45 mmH2O), the higher max speed (2000 RPM vs 1600 RPM) and the higher airflow (56 CFM vs 49.9 CFM).
Price comparison
| Retailer | be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM | Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| Best Buy | View on Best Buy |
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
be quiet! Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A genuinely improved budget fan that punches above its price on quietness.
Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A tastefully understated RGB fan for builders who want lighting that doesn't fight their case's design language.