Noctua NF-F12 vs Akasa Apache for H80 Rad

[starlight6]

I had two Apaches in push/pull on the H80. I needed a couple of case fans so I decided to replace the Akasa Apaches with the higher speed Akasa Vipers and move the Apaches to be case fans.

Long story short, the Vipers are a little bit too noisy for my liking and I will be returning them. Currently, I am debating as to whether to buy a couple more Apaches or to try out the Noctua NF-F12.

I'm not too concerned about the higher cost of the Noctua's, just the performance and noise. On paper the Apache is better (see below) but from reviews of fans I've read it seems manufacturer specs are often very misleading. I've search plenty but I've never found a review that compares these two fans.

Does anyone have any experience with both these fans, especially for use on a rad like an H80?

Akasa Apache
===========
Fan speed 600 -1300 RPM
Max airflow 57.53 CFM
Max static air pressure 2.64 mm H2O
Noise level 6.9 -16.05 dB(A)

Noctua NF-F12
===========
Rotational Speed (+/- 10%) 1500 RPM
Airflow 54.9 CFM
Acoustical Noise 22.4 dB(A)
Static Pressure 2.61 mm H2O

 

[dugdiamond]

i have akasa apache supersilent 120mm fans in my case, with noise reducers on them too.
IMHO: good fans, but others won't agree

 

[CEUOTC]

I had two Apaches in push/pull on the H80. I needed a couple of case fans so I decided to replace the Akasa Apaches with the higher speed Akasa Vipers and move the Apaches to be case fans.

Long story short, the Vipers are a little bit too noisy for my liking and I will be returning them. Currently, I am debating as to whether to buy a couple more Apaches or to try out the Noctua NF-F12.

I'm not too concerned about the higher cost of the Noctua's, just the performance and noise. On paper the Apache is better (see below) but from reviews of fans I've read it seems manufacturer specs are often very misleading. I've search plenty but I've never found a review that compares these two fans.

Does anyone have any experience with both these fans, especially for use on a rad like an H80?

Akasa Apache
===========
Fan speed 600 -1300 RPM
Max airflow 57.53 CFM
Max static air pressure 2.64 mm H2O
Noise level 6.9 -16.05 dB(A)

Noctua NF-F12
===========
Rotational Speed (+/- 10%) 1500 RPM
Airflow 54.9 CFM
Acoustical Noise 22.4 dB(A)
Static Pressure 2.61 mm H2O

I am running 2 Akasa Apache on a Antec 920 and when set extreme they are audible in my Fractal Design mini ( a gentle hum), no great shakes and provide excellent cooling in a PP setup.

Two standard Fractal Define Design mini fans (Front) and a Fractal Define Design R3 fan (Bottom) are fitted and when all set to high speed are barely audible, with the 920 set to silent the computer is effectively silent when surfing the web or watching vids.

Regards.

C.