SMALL BUT MIGHTY
Arctic P12 PWM PST ( ACFAN00134A )
Review by: Jennifer Griffiths
Video & Testing by: Philip Griffiths
Product Unboxing and Setup Video
Arctic P12 PWM PST : is this Powerful New £7 fan any good?
Introduction :
When I think of fans, one brand comes to mind, Arctic. Maybe it is because their name insinuates cool. Maybe it is because they have some really great fans. Maybe it's both. Whatever the reason, you may have guessed by now that today we are going to be taking a look at an Arctic fan today. The P12 PWM PST is under scrutiny. I am very eager to see what this little fellow is capable of. Be sure to read on to find out what I did.
Main Features:
Optimised for Static Pressure
During the development of the new P12 PWM PST CO, special emphasis was placed on a focused airstream and thus a high static pressure. The fan guarantees extremely efficient cooling, even with increased air resistance. Therefore, the P12 PWM PST CO is particularly suitable for use on heatsinks and radiators.
More Efficient Technology
The motor is powered by a Neodym-Iron-Boron-Magnet ring of the newest generation, which allows the new P12 PWM PST CO to run much more efficiently than its predecessors. This saves energy and lowers the coil temperature without comprimising the performance.
Specifications:
Fan:
120 mm, 200 - 1 800 RPM (Controlled by PWM), 0 dB fan mode below 5 % PWM
Air Flow:
56.3 CFM / 95.65 m³/h
Noise Level:
0.3 Sone (@ 1 800 RPM)
Static Pressure:
2.2 mm H2O (@ 1 800 U/min)
For more extensive specs follow this link: https://www.arctic.ac/uk_en/p12-pwm-pst-co.html
Manufacturer statement:
ARCTIC P12 PWM PST
Pressure-optimised 120 mm Fan with PWM PST
During the development of the P12 PWM PST, special emphasis was placed on a focused airstream and thus a high static pressure. The fan guarantees extremely efficient cooling, even with increased air resistance. Therefore, the P12 PWM PST is particularly suitable for use on heatsinks and radiators. A 10 °C lower motor temperature roughly doubles the life span of a fan. The new ARCTIC motor has a four times longer service life through its low coil temperature. Consequently, we have extended the warranty to 10 years.
Thanks to the 4-pin connector, the RPM can be regulated in a broad spectrum via PWM. In this way, noise is kept at a minimum while maximum cooling performance is guaranteed when needed. The P12 PWM PST is able to switch into silent passive mode when PWM signal is below 5 % due to its new motor. This allows working at your PC in complete silence without any unwanted noise. Additionally, the 120 mm versions of the new P-fans can be easily mounted to existing Freezer 32 and Freezer 33 models.
(And here’s the P-Fan FAQ, in case you need more information) https://www.arctic.ac/uk_en/p-fan-faq/
About ARCTIC:
For more than 15 years ARCTIC has stood for comfortable computing, excellent service and personal support. A leading manufacturer of silent PC coolers and components, it initiated and sustainably influenced the trend towards quiet cooling systems. Besides a wide range of CPU and GPU coolers, ARCTIC offers high-quality monitor mounts as well as an audio product line. The company, run by founder Magnus Huber, has locations in Germany, Hong Kong and the USA and satisfies PC enthusiasts in over 45 countries with innovative and user-friendly products, high quality and fair prices.
Packaging:
This packaging is attractive with easy to read fonts. All relevant information such as warranty, QR code, size, and colour are clearly displayed on the front as well as an attractive picture of the fan. There is a hanger on the box for easy retail display. The colours of the box are easy on the eyes and yet still inviting. Bottom line, it will look good in your shop. On the back of the box, there are the specifications and a few drawings of what the fan is capable of and what to expect. The bar code is on the bottom of the box, nice and out of the way.
Unboxing:
Inside the box, we have the QR code, the fan and 4 silver mounting screws. Normally I would find the silver screws unattractive, but, this particular fan is white, so it should be fine. This fan has a four-pin PWM PST connector. This means it is capable of daisy chaining if you are so inclined to do so. The fan has five blades. The frame is a very durable plastic. I mean, it is seriously strong. The blades are made of good, solid stuff too but they are able to flex a bit. The cable is a generous 18" total length. (46 cm) and the length to the first connection is 15" (38 cm).
Installation:
Depending on how you use it...but for the sake of a standard case fan, you simply screw in with the four screws provided making sure it faces in the direction you want the air to flow. Connect the fan to the motherboard.
Testing:
Test System:
Case: Theraltake Level 20 MT ARGB (fans disabled for testing)
CPU: Intel i3 8100 Quad Core 3.6 Ghz
RAM: 2 x 4GB DDR4 Team Delta T Force RGB 2666 Mhz
PSU: Xilence P600w
GPU: Powercool AMD Radeon RX570 4GB
CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugan Max 140 mm (air)
Storage: WD Black NVME 250 GB SSD
MB: Gigabyte Aorus B350M Gaming 3
OS: Windows 10 Pro
Fans Tested Idle Average after 30 min Top temp in 30 min
Arctic P12 30 °C 52°C 59°C
Antec (no model) 31°C 52°C 59°C
XilenceXPF120.R 30°C 51°C 58°C
Within all testing of all the fans, there was only ever 1°C difference between them. So, the fan is no better or worse at the specific tasks than any other fans we tested.
Even though the test results were roughly the same, the fan does have the ability of the pressurized flow of air that the others do not. One of the main selling points is how a fan can adjust its speed depending on the temperature of the item it is cooling. Obviously, the testing does not take that into consideration. With its lower blade count, you should find it quieter than most of the competition. This can vary considerably depending on the speeds it is running at.
Pricing:
RRP £7.99
Conclusion:
The P12 PWM PST is a good, solid built fan. With only five blades I am confident that it will run quieter than those with seven or more blades. Of course, this will depend on the speeds. The fan is perfect for the "no frills" people. I know you can't believe it, but there are some out there that just have not embraced RGB and ARGB and that is OK! However, if you wanted the fan to have a little extra pizzaz, you could always use the Akasa Digital 120mm frame with RGB LED lighting to get the bling. I was not disappointed in it, and I don't think you will be.
Stand out point: If I had to narrow it down to one thing, I would say the fact they gave us a generous amount of cable and the connectors on it will allow you to Daisy Chain.
Pros:
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Very Sturdy Built
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Five Blades
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Blades are durable but have a bit of flex
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Cable length is generous
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You can Daisy Chain
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The packaging looks really nice
Cons:
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Silver screws are a "no-no" with a black fan. (it was tolerated with the white one)
They got a Gold Award for this product.
