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EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 vs Noctua NF-A9 PWM: Comparison
EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 vs Noctua NF-A9 PWM: the airflow difference
The gap that matters here is airflow: EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 77 CFM against Noctua NF-A9 PWM 46.44 CFM, which puts EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 40% ahead. EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 also leads on static pressure, 2.7 mmH2O on the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 2.28 mmH2O on the Noctua NF-A9 PWM. Add max speed to that, 2300 RPM on the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 2000 RPM on the Noctua NF-A9 PWM, and the pattern holds. There is a split on fan thickness as well, 27 mm on the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 25 mm on the Noctua NF-A9 PWM.
Who each one is for
Buy the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 for custom water-cooling loop radiators and thick, high-FPI radiator duty, though it is not the pick for general case intake or exhaust duty and quiet-first builds. The Noctua NF-A9 PWM is the one to take for SFF cases with 92mm-only mounts and coolers with 92mm fan slots, though it is the wrong buy for standard mid-tower intake/exhaust (use a 120mm or 140mm instead) and buyers chasing maximum total airflow. Our rating of the EKWB 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 Noctua NF-A9 PWM (8/10): the go-to premium option whenever a build genuinely needs a 92mm fan instead of 120mm.
Frequently asked questions
Do the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 and Noctua NF-A9 PWM differ on noise level?
Yes. Noise Level reads 36 dBA on the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 22.8 dBA on the Noctua NF-A9 PWM.
Is the Bearing Type the same on the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 and Noctua NF-A9 PWM?
It is. Both are listed at Fluid Dynamic, 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
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 92 mm
Brand
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- EK
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- Noctua
Model
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- NF-A9 PWM
Bearing Type
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Fluid Dynamic
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- Fluid Dynamic
Lighting
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- D-RGB
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- None
Fan Thickness
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 27 mm
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 25 mm
Static Pressure
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 2.7 mmH2OBest
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 2.28 mmH2O-16%
Max Speed
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 2300 RPMBest
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 2000 RPM-13%
Airflow
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 77 CFMBest
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 46.44 CFM-40%
Noise Level
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 36 dBA
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 22.8 dBABest
PWM Control
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Yes
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- Yes
Min Speed
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 550 RPMBest
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 400 RPM
Rated Life
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 60000 hours
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 150000 hours
Max Power Draw
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 3 W
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 1.2 WBest
Connector Type
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 4-Pin PWM
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 4-Pin PWM
Lighting Connector
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 3-Pin 5V ARGB
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- None
RGB Lighting
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Yes
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- No
Lighting Type
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- ARGB 5V
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- None
Colorway
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Black
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- Brown And Beige
Cable Length
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 100 mm
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 200 mm
Weight
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 227 g
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 95 gBest
Which one should you pick?
Choose EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 if you want the higher static pressure (2.7 mmH2O vs 2.28 mmH2O), the higher max speed (2300 RPM vs 2000 RPM) and the higher airflow (77 CFM vs 46.44 CFM).
Choose Noctua NF-A9 PWM if you want the lower noise level (22.8 dBA vs 36 dBA).
Price comparison
| Retailer | EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 | Noctua NF-A9 PWM |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on 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
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.
Noctua NF-A9 PWM
8 / 10 Expert Rating
The go-to premium option whenever a build genuinely needs a 92mm fan instead of 120mm.