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EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 vs Noctua NF-F12 PWM: Comparison
EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 vs Noctua NF-F12 PWM airflow compared
Start with airflow, because it is the widest measured gap between them: EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 77 CFM against Noctua NF-F12 PWM 54.97 CFM, 29% in favour of EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120. EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 also leads on max speed, 2300 RPM on the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 1500 RPM on the Noctua NF-F12 PWM. They differ on rated life too, 60000 hours on the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 150000 hours on the Noctua NF-F12 PWM.
Who each one is for
The EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 is the one to take 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. Buy the Noctua NF-F12 PWM for CPU tower cooler fans and thin 120mm AIO radiators, though it is not built for budget multi-fan case builds and RGB-focused builds. 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-F12 PWM (9/10): the benchmark focused-flow 120mm fan for CPU coolers, still worth the premium for the one or two fans that actually sit on a heatsink.
What EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 and Noctua NF-F12 PWM have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: fan size, bearing type, connector type and pwm control are identical here.
Frequently asked questions
Do the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 and Noctua NF-F12 PWM differ on static pressure?
Yes. Static Pressure reads 2.7 mmH2O on the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 2.61 mmH2O on the Noctua NF-F12 PWM.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 120 mm
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 120 mm
Brand
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- EK
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- Noctua
Model
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- NF-F12 PWM
Bearing Type
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Fluid Dynamic
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- Fluid Dynamic
Lighting
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- D-RGB
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- None
Fan Thickness
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 27 mm
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 25 mm
Static Pressure
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 2.7 mmH2OBest
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 2.61 mmH2O-3%
Max Speed
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 2300 RPMBest
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 1500 RPM-35%
Airflow
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 77 CFMBest
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 54.97 CFM-29%
Noise Level
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 36 dBA
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 22.4 dBABest
PWM Control
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Yes
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- Yes
Rated Life
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 60000 hours
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 150000 hours
Max Power Draw
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 3 W
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 0.6 WBest
Connector Type
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 4-Pin PWM
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 4-Pin PWM
Lighting Connector
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 3-Pin 5V ARGB
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- None
RGB Lighting
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Yes
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- No
Lighting Type
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- ARGB 5V
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- None
Colorway
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Black
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- Brown And Beige
Cable Length
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 100 mm
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 200 mm
Weight
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 227 g
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 165 gBest
Which one should you pick?
Choose EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 if you want the higher static pressure (2.7 mmH2O vs 2.61 mmH2O), the higher max speed (2300 RPM vs 1500 RPM) and the higher airflow (77 CFM vs 54.97 CFM).
Choose Noctua NF-F12 PWM if you want the lower noise level (22.4 dBA vs 36 dBA).
Price comparison
| Retailer | EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 | Noctua NF-F12 PWM |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Noctua | View on Noctua |
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-F12 PWM
9 / 10 Expert Rating
The benchmark focused-flow 120mm fan for CPU coolers, still worth the premium for the one or two fans that actually sit on a heatsink.