Fan Mini-Review: High Speed Fans Compared

Vapor · 07-04-2008, 10:52 AM

Everyone loves the biggest and baddest. Fans are no exception. Impracticality aside, they do the job (move air) the best and people are at least interested in the top end.

This isn't quite that level....there are no 250CFM dragsters here, but each fan is more-than-a-tick over 100CFM--double the previous mini-review's highest. It's also my first test of the much anticipated Ultra Kaze series.

The Fans

In this roundup I've tested 4 fans

Fan 1) Delta WFB1212HE (2520RPM)
Fan 2) Scythe Ultra Kaze 3000 (3000RPM)
Fan 3) Panaflo U1C (2750RPM)
Fan 4) Sanyo Denki San Ace 109R1212H1011 (2600RPM)

Why these fans?
All are either rated or presumed to move over 100CFM and are the same form-factor (120x120x38mm). They're all considered 'radiator' fans and are basically at the upper noise threshold of what people can tolerate multiple of.

The Delta is...not that well known. Or at least I see almost no one use it or talk about it. It's a double ball bearing fan at a good price ($12 where I bought it). Like other Deltas, it's very well built. Like every other Delta, I trust the CFM rating implicitly.

The Ultra Kaze 3000 (from now on referred to as "UK3") makes me want to just go "ugh" with how much attention it's received. No other comparable fan has gotten attention like it, but it being the first high-speed 'radiator fan' from an enthusiast company does have its advantages I guess. It's a sleeve bearing fan, a good price ($9ish), and the fastest spinner by the ratings. It has roughly the same CFM/RPM as the Delta, so I have no reason to doubt its CFM rating--though the Slip Streams have me questioning Scythe recently.

The Panaflo U1C is a veteran. It's as solidly built as the Delta, it's known for moving air, it's known for unwavering performance over the years, it's know for great radiator performance, it's known for everything that's needed to be considered great in this category. It's the only fan that's going to be in all three of my roundups--even if it didn't win either roundup. Like Deltas, I trust NMB-MAT's CFM ratings implicitly.

The San Ace 109R1212H1011 is the king of Roundup 2. To many of the old timer watercoolers, it was the king well before that. Like the Panaflo, this fan has been around the block in terms of service. It's known for moving air, it's known for superlative build quality, it's known for unwavering performance....but unlike every other fan in this mini-roundup, it's also known for being quiet. One other thing it's known for? How hard it is to find.

Results time

Open Air Performance

There's pretty clearly a winner here. No surprise really after Roundup 2. Anyway, time for further commentary

1) The Delta wouldn't run at 5V. It would stop at 5.2V and start up at like 5.6V. So the bottom result is 6V. It also had this stammering click below 9ishV. It wasn't too annoying to be frank...nothing out of the 'norm' for this grouping of fans anyway.

2) San Ace didn't click. It made super-slight chattering at low volts, but good luck hearing it in a case or from any distance. Like almost all the other fans in the whole roundup (S-Flex D and Minebea 1600 are the only exceptions), this was a new, untested sample so I expected it to perform worse, thinking maybe the last San Ace was a gem. It performed better compared to the U1C.

I don't even know what else to say about this fan, it's that good. At the ~42dBA point, it gets nearly 20CFM more than any other fan in this test. That's like 25% more airflow than the competition.

3) UK3 does well. It, like the Delta and U1C, had its own variation of clicking below ~8V (it was, admittedly, the most annoy of the three at low voltage), but it performed better than those two aside from that. Didn't quite get to the 133CFM it was rated for (topped out at a hair over 112CFM), making me think it's Open Air RPM is lower than its rating.

4) U1C...does its thing. It's never been the champ but it's as solid as any other fan. In this case, it was basically the loser, but in good company. Noise and airflow kind of die out at and below 6V--more-so the airflow though.

5) The Delta tested at 107.8CFM, it's rated at 107.7CFM. The U1C tested at 114.1CFM, it's rated at 114.7CFM. Did I mention I trust these guys ratings? (for the record, the San Ace is rated at 102CFM and, again, tested above its rating at 111.6CFM....UK3 is in point 3)

Radiator Performance
Things get interesting--again.

1) Okay, so the San Ace wins...no surprise. But hot damn if the U1C didn't close the gap at higher volts. From a raw airflow point of view, the San Ace loses the most (ranging smoothly from 20.3% loss at 12V to 26.8% loss at 5V)...it did in Roundup 2 and I can't really explain it, maybe RPM decreases slighly. S-Flex E and YL D12SL-12 loss less (as a percentage)--I don't want to say the San Ace isn't a 'radiator fan' considering it still wins objectively and subjectively, but it doesn't act the same way the other fans in this grouping do. More on how the U1C almost caught up later.

2) The Delta acts...'meh.' Weak showing from it on a radiator--noise increased and airflow loss was mid-pack. Clicking was still there. CFM loss ranged between smoothly between 19% and 22%.

3) The UK3 shows its Scythe heritage--it, like the Slip Stream, gets even louder on a radiator. It also had the lowest CFM loss--sort of. Its CFM loss was sporadic to say the least, ranging between 13% and 21% but not smoothly (every other fan had lowest loss at 12V and most at 5/6V...UK3 just fluctuated, lowest was at 12V, 2nd lowest at 8V, highest at 7V...ugh). That said, both CFM/dBA graphs are 'smooth,' so I feel RPM at a specific voltages aren't scaling smoothly.

4) The U1C, again, has very little CFM loss, ranging smoothly from 15.5% at 12V to 19% at 7V (5/6V were worse, but the fan clearly fell out of its comfort zone at those voltages, even in open air). How it caught up was it got quieter on a radiator. I have no idea how, but it definitely sounds a lot smoother and 'calmer' on a radiator than it did in Open Air and the dBA meter agreed with me. That said, subjectively, it's not that close to the San Ace. The San Ace is almost serene (at least compared to those in this group) and much less intrusive than the U1C--anybody who has both knows this.

Further Commentary For the Oliver Twists
The way I see it in this grouping....there's the San Ace and then the other three. The noise they make is incomparable--the only reason the San Ace is even in this group is because it moves the same amount of air as them. I don't know how it does it, but I wish more fans did. That said, it's impossible to find, going for nearly $30 a pop when shipped, and they're fragile (I've broken 3...anything touching a spinning blade will break it off). It's in a class of their own, like a Tiger Woods of fans.

What I want to address are the other three. They're ugly. That's the name of the game with these kind of fans. They're in their prime at high speeds. Buying them to run at low volts seems...illogical to me. A 5V, they move a little less air than a D12SL-12 or S-Flex E or P12 at 12V but make more noise and worse, more extraneous noise. Yes, a top-end is nice to have, but even then, with the way most people over-radiator things here, that's maybe a ~1C difference over a much nicer sounding 1900-2200RPM fan (with an even quieter and better sounding toned-down setting).

I also want to specifically address the UK3. There's nothing special about it. It doesn't move more air than the competition and the radiator noise performance makes it very suspect. The sleeve bearing is a liability as well (what's worse is that due to the high amount of 'normal' noise, you won't hear it deteriorate). It's a great price and widely available, which should help sales, but as to the quality and performance of the fan...I'm not impressed. The next mini-review will have the more practical 2000RPM UK2 that hopefully will impress. At this point though, the Ultra Kazes, like the Slip Streams, have been over-sensationalized (it's not a bad fan, but it's not as great as people say--if for no other reason than it doesn't move nearly the amount of air it's rated at).

Vapor · 07-04-2008, 11:03 AM

Ancillary graphs.

Again, no explanation....just there for those that want them. (though for the first graph...the San Ace is ~1:1 for reference)

LuckyNV · 07-04-2008, 12:44 PM

I have an Ultra Kaze 2000, very disapointed, sure it shifts a good amount of air, but the high pitched noise is quite irritating, and doesn't undervolt well at all. To a certain extent I prefer 10V or above setting rather than 4-6V simply due to the high pitched whining being more audible at lower speed.

Look forward to your next set of tests

Lamb · 07-04-2008, 01:13 PM

I think the UK3 are pretty good, using one atm, will be using from 6 to 8 when I buy my new case, I don't really care of the noise they make since my Z5500 just kill the sound :P

<3 Scythe

Tho, the San Ace seems great! Nice review Vapor!

EDIT : The noise don't really annoy me, but in the Cosmos-S it should be much much much more silent then in my current Antec 900

Also getting a Sunbeam fan controller , I'll probably adjust some of the fan to 2500 rpm for a little less noise.

C'DaleRider · 07-05-2008, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamb

I think the UK3 are pretty good, using one atm, will be using from 6 to 8 when I buy my new case, I don't really care of the noise they make since my PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750W just kills the sound :P

There, I fixed it for you!

In all seriousness, though, another excellent review, Vapor. Many thanks again!

I do have a question about the San Ace fans, though.

While the only one consistently tested is the 109R1212H1011, have you ever come across any of either the 25mm thick San Ace fans, shown by the first number after the speed designator (the "1" after the "H" in your tested fan designates a 38mm fan....a "4" in its place would designate a 25mm fan), or slower speed San Aces, like a 109R1212M1011 or 109R1212F1011?

Then there are the 109P series of fans, which the "P" designates a different plastics frame. I don't know what the major difference between the "R" and "P" fans are, but according to Sanyo Denki's info, it's supposedly just a plastic frame designation, although all the "P" fans are 25mm thick and all the "R" fans are 38mm thick.

The part numbers I'd be interested in would be the 109R1212F102(1021)....a 38mm thick, 90cfm fan with 37dBA noise, or the 109R1212M102(1021)....another 38mm thick fan rated at 78cfm @ 32dBA.

There are a couple of 25mm fans I'd be curious if anyone's tried, too......the 109P1212F402(4021) rated at 70cfm @ 35dBA or the 109P1212M402(4021) rated at 59cfm @ 29dBA and how those two would test out against the S-Flex and YL's of similar specs.

Just curious....as the other fans are found in greater numbers than the lusted after fan that is never found anywhere......

Vapor · 07-05-2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C'DaleRider

There, I fixed it for you!

In all seriousness, though, another excellent review, Vapor. Many thanks again!

I do have a question about the San Ace fans, though.

While the only one consistently tested is the 109R1212H1011, have you ever come across any of either the 25mm thick San Ace fans, shown by the first number after the speed designator (the "1" after the "H" in your tested fan designates a 38mm fan....a "4" in its place would designate a 25mm fan), or slower speed San Aces, like a 109R1212M1011 or 109R1212F1011?

Then there are the 109P series of fans, which the "P" designates a different plastics frame. I don't know what the major difference between the "R" and "P" fans are, but according to Sanyo Denki's info, it's supposedly just a plastic frame designation, although all the "P" fans are 25mm thick and all the "R" fans are 38mm thick.

The part numbers I'd be interested in would be the 109R1212F102(1021)....a 38mm thick, 90cfm fan with 37dBA noise, or the 109R1212M102(1021)....another 38mm thick fan rated at 78cfm @ 32dBA.

There are a couple of 25mm fans I'd be curious if anyone's tried, too......the 109P1212F402(4021) rated at 70cfm @ 35dBA or the 109P1212M402(4021) rated at 59cfm @ 29dBA and how those two would test out against the S-Flex and YL's of similar specs.

Just curious....as the other fans are found in greater numbers than the lusted after fan that is never found anywhere......

Yeah, I've seen more

Though the M/F402 sound especially interesting (if for no other reasons than I haven't seen those in particular).

WhiteFireDragon · 07-05-2008, 09:54 AM

wait... why is there two threads of this? delete if i'm just stupid and missing something...

Vapor · 07-05-2008, 10:03 AM

One in Air, one in WC. Lots of people don't cross-read and it's, IMO (but I'm partial), very pertinent to both.

The discussion in the WC forum goes more toward the radiator results anyway--Air Cooling usually is more balanced.

Lamb · 07-05-2008, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C'DaleRider

There, I fixed it for you!

In all seriousness, though, another excellent review, Vapor. Many thanks again!

I do have a question about the San Ace fans, though.

While the only one consistently tested is the 109R1212H1011, have you ever come across any of either the 25mm thick San Ace fans, shown by the first number after the speed designator (the "1" after the "H" in your tested fan designates a 38mm fan....a "4" in its place would designate a 25mm fan), or slower speed San Aces, like a 109R1212M1011 or 109R1212F1011?

Then there are the 109P series of fans, which the "P" designates a different plastics frame. I don't know what the major difference between the "R" and "P" fans are, but according to Sanyo Denki's info, it's supposedly just a plastic frame designation, although all the "P" fans are 25mm thick and all the "R" fans are 38mm thick.

The part numbers I'd be interested in would be the 109R1212F102(1021)....a 38mm thick, 90cfm fan with 37dBA noise, or the 109R1212M102(1021)....another 38mm thick fan rated at 78cfm @ 32dBA.

There are a couple of 25mm fans I'd be curious if anyone's tried, too......the 109P1212F402(4021) rated at 70cfm @ 35dBA or the 109P1212M402(4021) rated at 59cfm @ 29dBA and how those two would test out against the S-Flex and YL's of similar specs.

Just curious....as the other fans are found in greater numbers than the lusted after fan that is never found anywhere......

Lulz, with my 3870X2 fan at 50%, it kills any noise in there :P My PSU is quiet really ^.^

Ar3s · 07-05-2008, 05:52 PM

You have to do a review of a Delta EFB1212LE with this review so many people say its tri blade design increases pressure while reducing noise.

loonym · 07-05-2008, 07:18 PM

Great stuff Vapor, thanks

I've been using the UK3 lately over the deltas and you've just confirmed what I already suspected, that the scythe is a little better.

zepper · 07-09-2008, 10:05 AM

Keep 'em coming, vapor. Still waiting for a subjective comment on the C-M units - c'mon, just a hint??? Pretty please? ;-) I'm guessing this means that the CM doesn't meet its 110 CFM spec. ?..

.bh.

zepper · 10-01-2008, 01:00 PM

Hey Vapor,

C'mon man, it's getting antsy out here waiting for the rest of this group test...

.bh.

zepper · 10-09-2008, 03:34 PM

^ttt^ so folks will see this thread.

Still waiting to hear why the Cooler Master (Y720)CCD-25K1-GP didn't make it into this group??? And to see the tests on the rest of the complete group. I just bought another carton of the LED version and my inquiring mind wants to know if the reality matches my subjective experience...

.bh.

karbonkid · 10-09-2008, 04:12 PM

Nice review. Makes me feel semi-good about buying 3 Delta WFB1212MEs

Crankyhobo · 01-23-2009, 09:57 AM

We know the 109R1212H1011/109R1212H101 is a great fan, it is old and discontinued however, my hunch is that some of the latest SanAce fans will take its throne. They have a very large offering of fans at different speeds/styles and levels of availability. I would really like to see a detailed comparison of just SanAce models. I have some rare ones to contribute if you want for interests sake, but what will really be valuable is knowing how the readily available ones compare, like the 'Silent Series' and 'G-Series' you can buy from Newark.

GV Series - Latest Hotness

"A complete new design of fan blades, frame and motor increases the maximum airflow by +64% and the maximum static pressure by +167% compared with our conventional product. Furhermore, used in the same airflow conditions, enhanced performance around the inflection point have been achieved. "

9GV1212P1J01/011 - 120mm 224CFM, 360.0Pa, 64dBA (100%PWM) 6,400 RPM
9GV0812P1G03(031) - 80mm 138CFM, 490Pa, 65dBA (100%PWM) 10,200 RPM

Extreme
9SG1212G101 - 260CFM, 64dBA 37.87 USD
9CR1212G002 - 300CFM, 70dBA $75.71 USD

G-Series
9G1212G101 - 137CFM, 49dBA $18.76 USD
9G1212G401 - 130CFM, 51dBA $18.22
9G1212A4021 - 100CFM, 44dBA, $21.00 USD
9G1212H101 - 98.9CFM, 39dBA $18.11 USD
9G1212F102 - 87CFM, 36dBA $20.35 USD
9G1212F401 - 70CFM, 35dBA $19.04 USD
9G1212M101 - 74CFM, 32dBA $19.80 USD

Long-Life Aluminum Frame
I'd just like to point out that the life expectancy on these fans is 90% survival @ 200,000 hours (22 years)
9GL1212J101 - 180CFM, 57dBA $44.53 USD
9LB1212H101 - 102.4CF, 39dBA $89.81 USD

Silent Series
I have both of these models in use, and they are very good and quiet.
9S1212L401 - 58.6CFM, 17dBA $19.24 USD
9S1212M401 - 48.1CFM, 24dBA $21.39 USD

As a side note, i have one of these and I think its my favorite fan of all time - 40mm Aluminum 9GE0412P3J03 (and no i don't work for sanyo (i wish!) i just really like fans)

Hondacity · 12-28-2009, 07:16 PM

Vapor

What was the radiator used in the tests? fpi number?

Thanks

snoro · 12-29-2009, 01:36 AM

i would like also to see some test with other 12v fans that offer san ace. maybe not all of them but some like the silent one and extreme version or the 25mm version.

anonymous_user · 12-30-2009, 03:02 PM

Can we have a medium speed fan mini-review like 1700-2000rpm. 1200rpm is too quiet for me and 2500rpm too loud