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EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 vs Noctua NF-S12A PWM: Comparison
EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 vs Noctua NF-S12A PWM: the static pressure difference
Start with static pressure, because it is the widest measured gap between them: EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 2.7 mmH2O against Noctua NF-S12A PWM 1.19 mmH2O, 56% in favour of EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120. EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 also leads on airflow, 77 CFM on the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 63.27 CFM on the Noctua NF-S12A PWM. Max speed runs the same way, 2300 RPM on the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 1200 RPM on the Noctua NF-S12A PWM, another win for EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120.
EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 vs Noctua NF-S12A PWM: which one fits your build
Buy the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 for custom water-cooling loop radiators and thick, high-FPI radiator duty, though it is the wrong buy for general case intake or exhaust duty and quiet-first builds. The Noctua NF-S12A PWM suits mesh-front cases with unobstructed airflow paths and builds where near-silent operation matters more than raw CFM, though it is not the pick for radiator or filtered-intake use where pressure matters more and budget multi-fan builds needing 6+ fans. 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-S12A PWM (8/10): an excellent quiet airflow fan for open cases, but expensive per-fan for how little static pressure it offers.
What EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 and Noctua NF-S12A PWM have in common
Everything else lines up. Fan size, bearing type, connector type and pwm control read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Frequently asked questions
Do the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 and Noctua NF-S12A PWM differ on noise level?
Yes. Noise Level reads 36 dBA on the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 17.8 dBA on the Noctua NF-S12A PWM.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 120 mm
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 120 mm
Brand
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- EK
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- Noctua
Model
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- NF-S12A PWM
Bearing Type
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Fluid Dynamic
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- Fluid Dynamic
Lighting
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- D-RGB
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- None
Fan Thickness
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 27 mm
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 25 mm
Static Pressure
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 2.7 mmH2OBest
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 1.19 mmH2O-56%
Max Speed
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 2300 RPMBest
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 1200 RPM-48%
Airflow
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 77 CFMBest
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 63.27 CFM-18%
Noise Level
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 36 dBA
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 17.8 dBABest
PWM Control
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Yes
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- Yes
Rated Life
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 60000 hours
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 150000 hours
Max Power Draw
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 3 W
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 1.44 WBest
Connector Type
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 4-Pin PWM
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 4-Pin PWM
Lighting Connector
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 3-Pin 5V ARGB
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- None
RGB Lighting
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Yes
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- No
Lighting Type
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- ARGB 5V
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- None
Colorway
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- Black
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- Brown And Beige
Cable Length
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 100 mm
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 200 mm
Weight
- EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
- 227 g
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 140 gBest
Which one should you pick?
Choose EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 if you want the higher static pressure (2.7 mmH2O vs 1.19 mmH2O), the higher max speed (2300 RPM vs 1200 RPM) and the higher airflow (77 CFM vs 63.27 CFM).
Choose Noctua NF-S12A PWM if you want the lower noise level (17.8 dBA vs 36 dBA).
Price comparison
| Retailer | EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 | Noctua NF-S12A PWM |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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-S12A PWM
8 / 10 Expert Rating
An excellent quiet airflow fan for open cases, but expensive per-fan for how little static pressure it offers.