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EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 vs EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB: Comparison
What is the difference between EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 and EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB?
Airflow is where these two genuinely part company, EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 77 CFM against EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB 67 CFM, a 13% lead for EK-Loop Fan FPT 120. There is a split on bearing type as well, Fluid Dynamic on the EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus Ball on the EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB. They differ on fan thickness too, 27 mm on the EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 27.5 mm on the EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB. Rated life is not the same on both, 60000 hours on the EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 50000 hours on the EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB.
Who each one is for
Buy the EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 for custom water-cooling loop radiators and thick, high-FPI radiator duty, though it is not built for general case intake or exhaust duty and quiet-first builds. The EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB suits custom-loop radiators with lighting and high static pressure with RGB, though it is the wrong buy for silent builds and basic case airflow. Our rating of the EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 (8/10): A strong purpose-built fan for custom loop radiators, less relevant outside that use case. Our rating of the EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB (8/10): A strong balance of high static pressure and RGB lighting for custom-loop builders who don't want the EVO's noise.
What EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 and EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, fan size, connector type, lighting connector, lighting and pwm control included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 5 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 and EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB differ on noise level?
Yes. Noise Level reads 36 dBA on the EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 34.2 dBA on the EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB.
Is the Daisy Chain Support the same on the EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 and EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 120 mm
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- 120 mm
Brand
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- EK
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- EKWB
Model
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
Bearing Type
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Fluid Dynamic
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- Ball
Lighting
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- D-RGB
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- D-RGB
Fan Thickness
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 27 mm
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- 27.5 mm
Static Pressure
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 2.7 mmH2O-2%
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- 2.75 mmH2OBest
Max Speed
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 2300 RPMBest
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- 2200 RPM-4%
Airflow
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 77 CFMBest
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- 67 CFM-13%
Noise Level
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 36 dBA
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- 34.2 dBABest
PWM Control
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Yes
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- Yes
Min Speed
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 550 RPMBest
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- 500 RPM
Rated Life
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 60000 hours
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- 50000 hours
Max Power Draw
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 3 W
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- 2.16 WBest
PWM Duty Floor
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 20 percent
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- 25 percent
Connector Type
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 4-Pin PWM
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- 4-Pin PWM
Lighting Connector
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 3-Pin 5V ARGB
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- 3-Pin 5V ARGB
Daisy Chain Support
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Yes
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- Yes
RGB Lighting
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Yes
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- Yes
Lighting Type
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- ARGB 5V
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- ARGB 5V
Colorway
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Black
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- Black
Cable Length
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 100 mm
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- 500 mm
Intended Use
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Radiator And Heatsink
- EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
- Radiator And Heatsink
Which one should you pick?
Choose EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 if you want the higher max speed (2300 RPM vs 2200 RPM) and the higher airflow (77 CFM vs 67 CFM).
Choose EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB if you want the higher static pressure (2.75 mmH2O vs 2.7 mmH2O) and the lower noise level (34.2 dBA vs 36 dBA).
Price comparison
| Retailer | EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 | EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| EKWB | View on EKWB |
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
EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
8 / 10 Expert Rating
A strong purpose-built fan for custom loop radiators, less relevant outside that use case.
EKWB EK-Vardar X3M 120ER D-RGB
8 / 10 Expert Rating
A strong balance of high static pressure and RGB lighting for custom-loop builders who don't want the EVO's noise.
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