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Lian Li UNI FAN AL120 vs Noctua NF-F12 PWM: Comparison
Lian Li UNI FAN AL120 vs Noctua NF-F12 PWM airflow compared
Airflow is where these two genuinely part company, Lian Li UNI FAN AL120 64.5 CFM against Noctua NF-F12 PWM 54.97 CFM, a 15% lead for Lian Li UNI FAN AL120. Noctua NF-F12 PWM also leads on warranty, 2 years on the Lian Li UNI FAN AL120 versus 6 years on the Noctua NF-F12 PWM. Add max speed to that, 1900 RPM on the Lian Li UNI FAN AL120 versus 1500 RPM on the Noctua NF-F12 PWM, and the pattern holds. There is a split on lighting as well, ARGB on the Lian Li UNI FAN AL120 versus None on the Noctua NF-F12 PWM.
Which should you buy, Lian Li UNI FAN AL120 or Noctua NF-F12 PWM?
Buy the Lian Li UNI FAN AL120 for front intake behind dense dust filters and multi-fan ARGB builds wanting more airflow than the SL120, though it is not built for noise-sensitive builds (SL120 is quieter) and single-fan installs. The Noctua NF-F12 PWM suits CPU tower cooler fans and thin 120mm AIO radiators, though it is the wrong buy for budget multi-fan case builds and RGB-focused builds. Our rating of the Lian Li UNI FAN AL120 (9/10): the higher-output half of Lian Li's daisy-chain ARGB duo, best behind restrictive front-panel filters. 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 Lian Li UNI FAN AL120 and Noctua NF-F12 PWM have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: fan size, bearing type, fan thickness and pwm control are identical here.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Lian Li UNI FAN AL120 and Noctua NF-F12 PWM differ on static pressure?
Yes. Static Pressure reads 2.62 mmH2O on the Lian Li UNI FAN AL120 versus 2.61 mmH2O on the Noctua NF-F12 PWM.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- 120 mm
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 120 mm
Brand
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- Lian Li
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- Noctua
Model
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- UNI FAN AL120
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- NF-F12 PWM
Bearing Type
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- Fluid Dynamic
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- Fluid Dynamic
Lighting
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- ARGB
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- None
Fan Thickness
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- 25 mm
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 25 mm
Static Pressure
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- 2.62 mmH2OBest
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 2.61 mmH2O0%
Max Speed
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- 1900 RPMBest
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 1500 RPM-21%
Airflow
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- 64.5 CFMBest
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 54.97 CFM-15%
Noise Level
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- 28.3 dBA
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 22.4 dBABest
PWM Control
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- Yes
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- Yes
Max Power Draw
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- 5.94 W
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 0.6 WBest
Start Voltage
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- 6 V
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 7 V
Connector Type
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- Proprietary
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 4-Pin PWM
Lighting Connector
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- Proprietary
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- None
RGB Lighting
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- Yes
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- No
Lighting Type
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- ARGB 5V
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- None
Warranty
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- 2 years-67%
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- 6 yearsBest
Positioning
- Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
- Mainstream
- Noctua NF-F12 PWM
- Premium
Which one should you pick?
Choose Lian Li UNI FAN AL120 if you want the higher static pressure (2.62 mmH2O vs 2.61 mmH2O), the higher max speed (1900 RPM vs 1500 RPM) and the higher airflow (64.5 CFM vs 54.97 CFM).
Choose Noctua NF-F12 PWM if you want the lower noise level (22.4 dBA vs 28.3 dBA) and the higher warranty (6 years vs 2 years).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Lian Li UNI FAN AL120 | 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
Lian Li UNI FAN AL120
9 / 10 Expert Rating
The higher-output half of Lian Li's daisy-chain ARGB duo, best behind restrictive front-panel filters.
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.