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Phanteks T30-120 fan (NF-A12x25 competitor)

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#21 ·
My take is if you already own an A12x25, you shouldn't change. If brand new, these are very much possibly better option. I'm only looking at them to possible replace Lianli Sl140
 
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#22 ·
Looks like a good fan. $30 fans are not my thing anymore, but it's great to have a solid competitor to the NF-A12x25. Yes, I know there are now many fans like the NF-A12x25, but they usually fall short in either the performance or noise department. I haven't heard a recording of this fan yet. Hopefully its sound profile is "nice". Those speed switches on fans, while a good idea/feature, are often a point of possible failure in a fan.
 
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#24 ·
"Sounds" good :)

Unless 5 mm is a deal breaker, these appear to have dethroned Noctua.

Check out those loop temps from Machines & More @ 850 & 1200 rpm. ~3c lower. Pretty impressive. (5mn mark).
It's also validated in "The Tech Buyer's Guru" review, with noise normalized to 35 dB(a), 3c lower. (10mn mark)
 
#25 ·
Slaughtahouse said:
"Sounds" good :)

Unless 5 mm is a deal breaker, these appear to have dethroned Noctua.

Check out those loop temps from Machines & More @ 850 & 1200 rpm. ~3c lower. Pretty impressive. (5mn mark).
It's also validated in "The Tech Buyer's Guru" review, with noise normalized to 35 dB(a), 3c lower. (10mn mark)
Click to expand...
The question is more interesting for those of us who already have spent on 30usd fans is the change in fans worth it lol;
 
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#26 ·
Section31 said:
The question is more interesting for those of us who already have spent on 30usd fans is the change in fans worth it lol;
Click to expand...
I'm already around 8 deep on mine, so I'm stuck haha. I have to say though, I think I like the way the T30s sound more than mine. The higher the blade count, the higher pitched the noise is, and they struck a nice balance on the T30s.

After skimming through those two videos, I'm scratching my head as to how it's performing 3C better than the A12x25 in some scenarios, namely at lower speeds. While it flows slightly better than the noctua, we're talking about a 2-3CFM difference at the same noise which isn't enough to really do anything to temperatures.

The only variable that I can think of that can make such a difference would be their ambient temperature source. I'd be interested in seeing a comparison between these two fans while having a thermocouple in front of the fans to get a more accurate delta temp.

But nevertheless, it's good to see another good fan that we can choose from. Maybe Noctua will make an A12x30 or something lol.
 
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Discussion starter · #27 ·
airisom2 said:
After skimming through those two videos, I'm scratching my head as to how it's performing 3C better than the A12x25 in some scenarios, namely at lower speeds. While it flows slightly better than the noctua, we're talking about a 2-3CFM difference at the same noise which isn't enough to really do anything to temperatures.

The only variable that I can think of that can make such a difference would be their ambient temperature source. I'd be interested in seeing a comparison between these two fans while having a thermocouple in front of the fans to get a more accurate delta temp.
Click to expand...
Yeah it's kind of contrary to how they behave on VSGs Techpowerup review. It's gotta be a margin of error due to the methodology, Occam's Razor and everything xD. Like you, Doyll, Steve from GamersNexus and many others mentioned before, drop the ball on accurate intake temp, controlling the power output, how accurate the equipment actually is, and other stuff and a 3-5c degree margin of error creeps in, and everything starts looking the same.
 
#28 ·
Section31 said:
The question is more interesting for those of us who already have spent on 30usd fans is the change in fans worth it lol;
Click to expand...
I just bought 3 Noctua NF-A12x25s about three or four months ago. $37 CAD a fan… so I think i’m in that group :)

2520949


I would not change but if I had not bought the Noctua’s, I would likely opt for these puppies.
 
#29 ·
Section31 said:
The question is more interesting for those of us who already have spent on 30usd fans is the change in fans worth it lol;
Click to expand...
Usually I say unless the performance difference is huge then no stick with what you have. If somebody had F12 3k industrials then probably worth it due to the sound volume difference.

airisom2 said:
After skimming through those two videos, I'm scratching my head as to how it's performing 3C better than the A12x25 in some scenarios, namely at lower speeds. While it flows slightly better than the noctua, we're talking about a 2-3CFM difference at the same noise which isn't enough to really do anything to temperatures.
Click to expand...
Could be airflow pattern is better so it gets more airspeed coverage over the whole radiator?
 
#30 ·
D-EJ915 said:
Could be airflow pattern is better so it gets more airspeed coverage over the whole radiator?
Click to expand...
It could be. I don't know that much about fluid dynamics and how the airflow shape of a fan affects radiators, but I do know that radiators are essentially crude airflow straighteners due to the fins. I think airflow shape makes a larger difference when the fan is being used as a case fan because then there isn't anything obstructing the exhaust side of the fan that would force the natural exhaust shape into something different.

All I can say is that most fans have an obtuse airflow shape with the majority of the airflow coming from the circumference of the fan. The low pressure zone is around the hub. There are some ways to counteract that phenomenon, mainly by employing the use of a contra-rotating design on the backside of the fan to negate the fan's tendency to go wide (ie Silverstone's Air Penetrator design on the fan's exhaust side). Some server and industrial fans have a secondary fan spinning in the opposite direction at a calculated ratio to maintain that cylindrical airflow shape. Downside is, it is an airflow obstruction by design, so you will sacrifice some cfm and noise for the improved static pressure and airflow shape. Since radiators, while a whole lot less efficient, do the same thing, I'm not sure if it matters as much as it would in a more free-flowing environment. I mean, it could be a contributing variable, but I can't see it being the singular variable that's wholly responsible for the temperature gap we're seeing in those videos.

But I'm just speculating here. Maybe someone more knowledgeable than me could chime in on that subject.
 
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#31 ·
Slaughtahouse said:
I just bought 3 Noctua NF-A12x25s about three or four months ago. $37 CAD a fan… so I think i’m in that group :)

View attachment 2520949

I would not change but if I had not bought the Noctua’s, I would likely opt for these puppies.
Click to expand...
I have 17 of them( 9 in use) and shawnb99 had 60ish of them. Neither of us jumping to 120mm version
 
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#32 ·
Section31 said:
I have 17 of them( 9 in use) and shawnb99 had 60ish of them. Neither of us jumping to 120mm version
Click to expand...
Only 42 of the A12's so yeah I won't be switching anytime soon, though I might consider it depending on how much of a return I could get by reselling mine. It's the 140mm size that has me most interested, I have 16 of the industrials and would gladly replace those even though I spent nearly as much on them
 
#35 ·
Section31 said:
I have 17 of them( 9 in use) and shawnb99 had 60ish of them. Neither of us jumping to 120mm version
Click to expand...
I don’t think most users fall under the bucket of 10+ fans… :D Not sure why you’re quoting me either. I’m not suggesting people to switch.

I know a lot of people have been waiting for a black NF-A12x25 and well, here it (effectively) is. Unless the 5mm is a deal breaker (SFF).
 
#37 ·
Uhmm ....

I have 8 x 120mm NB for 26 EUR a pop.
I have 4 x 140mm NB for 30 EUR a pop.

208 + 120 = 328 EUR just for the fans.

Omg! I will let myself out now.
 
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#39 ·
Well I was waiting for the black Noctua whose release keeps getting pushed off into the future. I will probably give these a shot.
 
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#40 ·
GeneO said:
Well I was waiting for the black Noctua whose release keeps getting pushed off into the future. I will probably give these a shot.
Click to expand...
I’v been waiting since last fall for them to release as well. I decided to order a 3 pack of the T30s this morning and already have shipping confirmation from amazon.

Noctua took too long and their competitors are moving in.
 
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