Less of an issue maybe if you are buying 1 or 2 fans e.g. for a Cooler - when you are replacing all of your case fans (normally at least 4) the difference is huge.
4x P12 - £24
4x Noctua A12x25 - £120
Almost £100 is the difference between a 6 core and 8 core Ryzen, or a RTX2070 rather than an RTX2060 - I'd rather spend it on actual tangible performance rather than a 0.1db or whatever difference.
One mans treasure and all that, is really all I have to say over that.
But I do get what you're saying, only I'm also saying it's not as simple as a 0.1db difference for the noise/performance involved. And for those who do want the very best from their fans (least noise for specific performance), I stick by the A12x25 over the P12 if the absolute best is wanted.
Except you really don't. How much of the extra £24 actually contributes to a better quality fan?
No idea to be honest, although I do use the extras provided with the Noctua's in both rigs, although most are in the Noctua rig.
Back to the point, the postulation was that there's "No difference," or any difference to be "imperceivable" between the fans.
Non-scientific personal tests (using a poor mans sound meter app on phone, distance of 30cm from front of case):
Room
Middle of Night, no city noise (no lights
no ticking clock
or a blasted Helicopter...
, or propella plane overhead!
)
15.4 minimum, 19.3 maximum, 17.3 average (I'd be REALLY surprised if a mobile can reach these actual numbers, but I kept the distance and location the same for each case when measuring so it's just a matter of incrementing or decreasing the amount for all numbers and you can then compare all comparable numbers to each other)
---
Noctua rig at 300-600rpm (which I use normally, the Arctic rig doesn't have an equivalent of this speed at this time until my Octo arrives and I move my Quadro over)
15.7 minimum, 20.4 maximum, 18.0 average
Noctua rig at ~850rpm
16.1 minimum, 23.8 maximum, 18.2 average
Noctua rig at ~1200rpm
20.2 minimum, 27.7 maximum, 23.8 average
Noctua rig at ~1800rpm
27.5 minimum, 34.3 maximum, 30.8 average
---
Arctic rig at 850rpm (which I use normally)
18.5 minimum, 25.6 maximum, 21.4 average
Arctic rig at ~1200rpm
22.3 minimum, 27.6 maximum, 25.0 average
Arctic rig at ~1800rpm
30.0 minimum, 36.8 maximum, 33.4 average
And whilst very close to each other, and definitely imperceivable at low rpms (also 1db to 3db is hard to people to tell apart normally from what I've read), once you start ramping up to 1100rpm+, due to the tonal change of the P12 (It has an oscillating/drone/resonance type of sound here at higher rpms, as well as the overall db increase), it makes it stand out a lot more than what the 1-3db difference is (the Noctua only has the air whoosh sound). Plus there's only half the number of Arctic fans in the Arctic rig (4) compared to the Noctua (10+) in these readings (not sure it makes a difference, but putting it out there).
So from that, logically, I have to say that the Noctua A12x25 is the better fan there between them, not by loads, but there is a noticable difference as I had said. And you don't need Superman or Spiderman hearing to notice it, and that's why I continue to say that you get what you pay for there (if you do have a need for them and go for them).
