Evaluating PC fans using various 12V power sources
Evaluating PC fans using various 12V power sources
They say the Pro performs better than the regular P12/P14 at higher speeds, which usually means more noise. This could mean you rarely notice the gains and might end up choosing a standard P12 instead. The price matters too—Arctic provides bundles of five or three fans at good rates. If you're concerned about defective fans, adding an extra fan to a bundle can help. Your fan testing looks solid! Edited September 23, 2025 by leclod
P12 and P14 are experiencing an RPM issue and seem to be struggling with a certain speed setting. The brakes on the front wheels are also behaving oddly. It looks like they're affordable, but you're wondering if the cost is justified.
I believe the issue isn't major, just a bit quieter at lower speeds. I'm using P12 and P14, which work well for me. Are you certain the other fans perform better? I haven't heard of them, but if it happens, I think the user might have contributed. In the worst scenario, two corners could be enough. Edited September 23, 2025 by leclod
I’ve got a solid selection of fans—over 100 of them—and a handful that are brand new or have worn corners. I’m confident in the quality of my setup; these models usually last more than ten years if they start off well. A $10 fan shouldn’t have any corner issues or RPM problems. If they’re under $5, it’s probably because the blades aren’t properly secured or the design isn’t up to standard. I’m not sure if the extra ring around the base is just for looks or if it helps with durability. It might be due to heat or long-term use. The pros are definitely worth considering because of their splitter cable and overall build quality. Of course, you’re on a budget, but keep in mind these fans may have some issues. For a $10 model, the blades likely aren’t reinforced enough to withstand regular use. If they don’t last, it could be a matter of heat or just normal wear. The pros are definitely worth a closer look, even if they’re a bit pricier. I had one fan I tested on a cooler—it performed better than anything else I’ve had. It was quieter and handled well. Compared to the Bequiet SW4, a thicker 140mm fan and a 120mm model worked better and was quieter too. I beat out the 120mm options and should have been quieter overall. I don’t own any Phantom D30 fans, so I can’t compare directly. The best I’ve seen is around $30, but I haven’t found many good deals yet. We spent about $90, not on sale, so it’s not cheap. Maybe they were closer to $80. We’ll see how these perform in real use. I had a fan I tested on a cooler—it was the best I’d ever had. Better than the Bequiet SW4, a thicker 140mm fan, and even better than some 120mm models. It should be quieter overall.
the shops i reached for Arctic items showed me costs that differ by less than a dollar between P12 and P14 models for newer Pros. In fact, the P12 Pro single is actually cheaper than the P12 value pack per fan... not sure why but new product thing I guess. Plus, i don’t have to pick between the Max and regular P12s—the Pros offer higher top-end options on both 120/140mm fans. I could purchase a P12 for $8.77 per fan or a 5-fan bundle for $36, while the P14 is $9 with no 5-pack deal. P12/P14 Max costs around $10.69 each, P12 5-pack is just under $50, and P12 Pros are $8.99 while P14 Pros sit at $10.69. All prices converted to USD. I still believe the Pros are worth it—just a bit more affordable than the original P12 but still cheaper than the Maxes. Also, i only need three fans: two 120mm case fans and one 140mm fan to replace my old Noctua D15. That’s why I didn’t think about buying the 5-pack even though it was cheaper per fan.
That's interesting. I used an older Lian Li Fan but it didn't work well. Now I have a 10m LED strip with an underglow effect, about 2 inches in the center, but it doesn't fully illuminate at 100%.
Oh, it seems you're recalling some unclear details about LED power requirements. Are you asking if your power source is delivering current instead of voltage? That could affect components like fans. Also, checking the voltage level—would a 12V supply be safe for a 0.3A fan? Let me know and I’ll clarify.
Rated max for 2A @ 12V – unclear if it's constant current or if voltage drop occurs when the fan connects. Tested daisy chaining to open contacts but fan didn’t move. LEDs near that spot are glowing. Possibly the fan is fine, I’ll check in a case later. Even if not, replacing the old faulty bearing fan wouldn’t be a big deal.