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Lian Li UNI FAN P28 vs Noctua NF-F12 PWM: Comparison

Lian Li UNI FAN P28 vs Noctua NF-F12 PWM airflow compared

Airflow is where these two genuinely part company, Lian Li UNI FAN P28 92 CFM against Noctua NF-F12 PWM 54.97 CFM, a 40% lead for Lian Li UNI FAN P28. Add static pressure to that, 4.79 mmH2O on the Lian Li UNI FAN P28 versus 2.61 mmH2O on the Noctua NF-F12 PWM, and the pattern holds. Max speed runs the same way, 2600 RPM on the Lian Li UNI FAN P28 versus 1500 RPM on the Noctua NF-F12 PWM, another win for Lian Li UNI FAN P28.

Lian Li UNI FAN P28 vs Noctua NF-F12 PWM: which one fits your build

The Lian Li UNI FAN P28 suits thick, high-FPI custom-loop radiators and builders who want daisy-chain cabling with real performance, though it is not built for quiet-first case airflow duty and budget builds. The Noctua NF-F12 PWM is the one to take for 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 P28 (9/10): the performance option in Lian Li's daisy-chain family, for radiators that actually need the extra static pressure. 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 P28 and Noctua NF-F12 PWM have in common

Where they agree, they agree completely, fan size, bearing type, lighting connector, lighting and rgb lighting included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 3 further specifications as well.

Frequently asked questions

Do the Lian Li UNI FAN P28 and Noctua NF-F12 PWM differ on airflow at quiet speed?

Yes. Airflow At Quiet Speed reads 44.94 CFM on the Lian Li UNI FAN P28 versus 43.73 CFM on the Noctua NF-F12 PWM.

Is the Lighting Type the same on the Lian Li UNI FAN P28 and Noctua NF-F12 PWM?

It is. Both are listed at None, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Fan Size

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    120 mm
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    120 mm
  • Brand

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    Lian Li
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    Noctua
  • Model

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    UNI FAN P28
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    NF-F12 PWM
  • Bearing Type

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    Fluid Dynamic
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    Fluid Dynamic
  • Lighting

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    None
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    None
  • Fan Thickness

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    28 mm
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    25 mm
  • Static Pressure

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    4.79 mmH2OBest
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    2.61 mmH2O-46%
  • Max Speed

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    2600 RPMBest
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    1500 RPM-42%
  • Airflow

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    92 CFMBest
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    54.97 CFM-40%
  • Noise Level

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    32.1 dBA
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    22.4 dBABest
  • Quiet Speed

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    1300 RPMBest
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    1200 RPM
  • Airflow At Quiet Speed

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    44.94 CFMBest
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    43.73 CFM
  • Noise Level At Quiet Speed

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    20.4 dBA
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    18.6 dBABest
  • Zero RPM Capable

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    No
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    Yes
  • Blade Material

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    Liquid Crystal Polymer
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    PBT
  • Connector Type

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    Proprietary
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    4-Pin PWM
  • Lighting Connector

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    None
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    None
  • RGB Lighting

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    No
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    No
  • Lighting Type

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    None
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    None
  • Warranty

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    6 years
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    6 years
  • Positioning

    Lian Li UNI FAN P28
    Premium
    Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    Premium

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose Lian Li UNI FAN P28 if you want the higher static pressure (4.79 mmH2O vs 2.61 mmH2O), the higher max speed (2600 RPM vs 1500 RPM) and the higher airflow (92 CFM vs 54.97 CFM).

    Choose Noctua NF-F12 PWM if you want the lower noise level (22.4 dBA vs 32.1 dBA).

    Price comparison

    RetailerLian Li UNI FAN P28Noctua NF-F12 PWM
    NoctuaView 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 P28

    9 / 10 Expert Rating

    The performance option in Lian Li's daisy-chain family, for radiators that actually need the extra static pressure.

    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.

    More comparisons in Case Fans