Noctua’s products have always been considered quiet, high quality, and innovative cooling solutions. Noctua’s NF-F12 is no exception. The NF-F12 stands for Noctua focused flow 120mm premium fan. This fan is an improved version of the popular NF-P12 model. Noctua refined there new design over a two-year development cycle. This might seem excessive for a fan; however, the features Noctua has incorporated into this fan are impressive to say the least. The focused flow system is intended to force air through heatsinks or radiators more effectively, due to the fan’s static pressure. Noctua's contentious attention to noise reduction has led to a few new implementations on this front as well. The Noctua NF-F12 was built to perform, so without further a due, let’s see how this premium fan fairs.
Features
The Noctua NF-F12 is overflowing with functional features. A two year development cycle was not squandered perfecting their focused flow system. Due to the NF-F12 design, Noctua is able to control the orientation in which the air travels from the fan. Most PC fans’ airflow is projected as a cone that starts off small then rapidly broadens. The NF-F12 airflow resembles a cylinder shape, allowing this concentrated air to pass through cluttered or dense obstacles. This makes the Noctua NF-F12 ideal for navigating through a water cooler radiator or snaking between the metal fins on your favorite heatsink.
I imagine by now you are wondering how the NF-F12 is capable of containing a tighter projection of airflow over other standard fans. Well in typical Noctua fashion it’s all in the details. The frame of the NF-F12 features eleven stator guide vanes, and three vortex control notches in each vane. Another feature of the stator guide vanes are there angles. Each vane is strategically angled to channel the airflow in a tighter uniformed manner. This in conjunction with Noctura’s patented “Heptaperf Impeller” fan blade creates a maximum amount of pressure, focusing the air into a tight consistent circular pattern.
Another reason for the angled guide vanes and the vortex control notches is noise reduction. These two features help distribute the noise on a broader spectrum; basically breaking the sound into smaller sections. Noctua’s step inlet design promotes turbulent airflow thus reducing intake noise. The step inlet design runs around the corners of the fan in a circular pattern with three rings that look like stair steps that descend to the fan blade. Anti-vibration pads and mounts located on the corners help dissipate any rattling. Noctua has always been known for quiet fans, and the NF-F12’s noise reduction features continue this tradition.
