ASUS ROG Strix XF 120 Case Fan Review – Not even bad, but way too expensive

1 - Einführung und technische Daten 2 - Testaufbau, Messkammer und Equipment 3 - Anlaufspannung und Drehzahlen 4 - Volumenstrom (Airflow) 5 - Statischer Druck 6 - Geräuschemission (Lautstärke) 7 - Zusammenfassung und Fazit

Comparing the absolute values with those of the reference, the ASUS ROG Strix XF 120 doesn’t do badly, as it’s even a tad quieter in the case without backpressure, regardless of the speeds. It is then on the radiators, however, a little louder, although here too the differences in absolute dBA waits are very none. However, one must also analyze the character of the sound carpet, because there are pleasant and unpleasant sounds. But more on that in the next paragraph.

Sound comparison (recording) at 100% speed

As just mentioned, subjective perception differs here, as the ASUS ROG Strix XF 120 produces a slightly more noticeable noise from the motor and rotor blades. The reference fan produces a bit less noise (tearing noise) and the ASUS ROG Strix XF 120’s motor is a bit more dominant in the higher frequency range. We will see this in the analysis of the frequency spectrum.

ASUS ROG Strix XF 120

Noctua NF-A12 PWM

As a cautionary example of what’s really loud at around 1800rpm, I’d still have a cheap case fan from a PC table labelled on a rather high priced Taiwanese case supplier that could easily have been used to run octocopters through:

Sound comparison (recording) at 1000 rpm

The sound carpet is also fundamentally different here and with the ASUS ROG Strix XF 120 you can hear a slight chirping that can definitely strike you as annoying in the sum of several fans. This noise only occurs at certain speeds, which suggests a mechanical problem.

ASUS ROG Strix XF 120

Noctua NF-A12 PWM

Frequency spectrum in the housing

Next, let’s look at the frequency analyses of all measurements for all fans measured and all speeds tested. The graphs speak for themselves, because you can see the engine noise of about 220 Hz very clearly, especially at full speed, to which the harmonics at about 440 Hz are added. in addition, there is a rather speed-independent bearing noise at approx. 100 Hz from 100 rpm.