Page 3 - Performance Tests
Using our tried-and-true APH proprietary 'scientific' method for measuring fan performance we devised back in 2007 by our Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Kwan, it is no surprise we are using it for this review as well. While it is not exactly the most objective method you can use (No kidding haha), there are a few attributes of fan performance that we can obtain clearly from our observations: Airflow, airflow consistency, and amount of static pressure generated. It visually portrays characteristics of each fan. Today we bring an updated version of our methods, with changes primarily in regards to the location of the fan during our tests. By running the fan off the edge of the desk, it prevents air from the floor from bouncing back, thereby masking the actual performance characteristics of it.
To be clear, the Venturi HP-12 PWM is on the left side, while the Venturi HP-14 PWM is on the right side. Both of the Venturi fans were tested at both ends of their rated speed spectrum, but photos were taken of the maximum setting. In most situations, it would be better to run the fan at higher speeds to introduce a greater volume of air into the system, but there are times where a lower setting is more valuable. When I look at these two fans in their performance, it is amazing to see the similarities between the two. Despite their different sizes, both display similar characteristics, as is evident in the tissue paper. There is an abundant amount of static pressure to keep the inner part of the tissue paper floating. At the end of the tissue paper there is a small amount of fluttering near the end of the paper, which could be more due to the limiting factors of tissue paper as a whole. Otherwise, the airflow is very consistent. The Fractal Design Venturi HP-14 PWM causes the attached tissue paper to fly a bit higher due to the higher volume of air pushed through. Once again the observed characteristics, in both static pressure and airflow, are excellently shown and Fractal Design delivers with these two fans.
Perceived sound is another important factor when testing these fans. There is a limitation to this however, as it can be quite subjective to both the listener and the environment of the fans. I know everyone here at APH Networks really strives for as little noise as possible, and quite a few of us are picky. The noise levels of these fans were tested independently in a quiet room with all other noises from our system isolated to ensure that we are testing these fans alone. We rate the perceived noise on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is silence, while 10 is the loudest. For the HP-14 PWM and HP-12 PWM at maximum speeds, I would rate them at 3.0/10 and 3.5/10, respectively. These results are excellent as it proves Fractal Design's design choices have positively affected the noise results. The HP-12 PWM is louder for understandable reasons, such as a higher fan speed at maximum. In addition, the HP-12 PWM on maximum seems to produce a more noticeable sound compared to the HP-14 PWM. Either way, both fans are great in their performance and relatively low noise output.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. A Closer Look - Hardware
3. Performance Tests
4. Conclusion
