I went out and bought a 5-pack of Arctic fans to test and review for this guide. I’ve also used Arctic fans a few times over the last 10 years.
Are arctic fans good?
Arctic Fans are affordable, high-performing, and stylish with lower noise levels. Some models may have limited PWM function or ticking noises. They offer excellent value, durability, and customer support, making them a solid choice for PC enthusiasts.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the quality, performance, and durability of arctic fans.
Are Arctic Fans Good? (Personally Tested and Reviewed)
If you are in the market for PC fans, you may already know that the company is well-liked for producing quality and affordable fans.
I decided to put these fans to the test to answer the question, “Are Arctic Fans Good?”
I tested 10 factors that are important when choosing a PC fan:
- Quality
- Ease of installation
- Durability
- Performance
- Noise
- Style
- Brand
- Price
- Airflow and Static Pressure Optimization
- Maintenance/Replacement
Keep reading to hear my results.
Quality
We tested the Arctic F12 and the Arctic P12 fans.
The build quality of both fans is impressive, with a sturdy frame and well-balanced blades that move air smoothly. The P12 is optimized for static pressure and is excellent at cooling even with greater air resistance.
The RGB lighting adds a stylish touch to any PC build.
Conclusion: Quality-wise, Arctic fans tested just fine. I slightly preferred the P12.
Ease of Installation
Both fans were effortless to install, with clear instructions that made the process straightforward. The F12 comes with four screws, making it easy to secure it to any mounting point.
The P12 comes with a rubber mounting system that reduces vibrations and noise.
Conclusion: Both fans tested as super easy to install.
Durability
We tested the Arctic F12 and the Arctic P12 fans for three months.
They have held up well under heavy use. The blades and frame have not shown any signs of wear or damage.
The bearings on both fans are fluid dynamic bearings, which are known for their durability and longevity.
Conclusion: Both fans proved to be durable during our testing period.
Performance
The Arctic F12 and the Arctic P12 fans both offer impressive performance, with excellent airflow and low noise levels.
The fluid dynamic bearings on both fans contribute to their low noise and excellent performance.
The P12 fan is optimized for static pressure, making it ideal for use on radiators or heatsinks. Its highly-efficient cooling ensures excellent performance even with high air resistance.
Conclusion: Both fans tested with impressive performance, especially the P12.
Noise
Both fans were relatively quiet, with low noise levels even at high speeds.
The P12 fan lives up to its name, with a 0dB noise level at low loads. The F12 is not far behind, with a maximum noise level of around 22.5 dBA, making it an excellent choice for those who value quiet operation.
Conclusion: Arctic fans tested relatively lower on noise levels with the P12 outperforming the F12 version.
Style
The Arctic F12 and the Arctic P12 fans come in a standard 120mm size, making them compatible with most PC cases.
The P12 fan comes with RGB lighting, adding a stylish touch to any PC build.
The F12 has a sleek and straightforward design, making it ideal for those who prefer a more minimalist aesthetic.
Conclusion: Neither fan will win any style or design awards. If you care about design at all, go with the P12 RGB fan.
Brand
Arctic is a well-respected brand in the PC enthusiast community, known for producing quality and affordable PC fans.
Their fans have gained popularity among PC enthusiasts, and they have always had a reputation for producing reliable and durable products.
Conclusion: Brand-wise, Arctic fans pass with flying colors.
Price
Both fans are reasonably priced, with the Arctic F12 costing under $10 and the Arctic P12 costing around $15, depending on where you get them.
Both fans offer excellent value for their price, with high-quality performance and acceptable noise levels.
Conclusion: Arctic PC fans really shine in the price department. It’s difficult to find a better case fan at the price point.
Airflow and Static Pressure Optimization
The Arctic P12 fan is optimized for static pressure, making it ideal for use on radiators or heatsinks.
It has excellent cooling performance even with high air resistance. The F12 fan has a decently high airflow rate, making it another good option for use as a case fan.
Conclusion: Both fans rated well for airflow but, once again, the P12 is the superior fan in my opinion.
Maintenance, Repair, and Replacement
The Arctic fans are easy to maintain and clean.
Arctic offers an impressive six-year warranty on both fans, giving customers peace of mind in case of any defects or issues that may arise. If you need to repair your Arctic fan, the company offers excellent customer service and support.
They also have a comprehensive website that offers troubleshooting guides, FAQs, and product manuals.
Conclusion: Their warranty is top-notch. Additionally, the price of these fans is so low that replacing them outright is also an option.
Are Arctic P12 Fans Good?
If you are in the market for a fan that offers excellent performance without any unnecessary bells and whistles, the Arctic P12 fans may be an excellent choice.
The installation process for the fans is straightforward, with a lack of extra features making it a simple process.
The fans can be mounted to a drive and attached to a fan header, making it easy to connect multiple fans together and run them off a single PWM header on the motherboard.
The Arctic P12 fans are excellent performers, outperforming many other fans under full load while managing to keep noise levels low.
Even at lower PWM speeds.
The P12 fan is specifically designed and optimized for static pressure, ensuring highly-efficient cooling even with greater air resistance.
The fans move a lot of air and are silent compared to the stock fans that come with some cabinets.
While the Arctic P12 fans may not offer any RGB-like features or fancy designs, they make up for it with their excellent price/performance ratio.
The fans are a great choice for anyone who wants a reliable and efficient fan that gets the job done without any unnecessary frills. And if you do want to add some RGB to your build, you can always add Phanteks halos to the fans to make them RGB.
Are Arctic F12 Fans Good?
Artic F12 fans are good but they are usually not your best option.
When it comes to Arctic’s F12 cooling series, there are a few different options to choose from. The standard F12 fan is a high-performance case fan that can move a good amount of air but can also be quite noisy.
While it doesn’t come with any special RPM controls, it does have Fluid Dynamic Bearings, which can help with longevity and durability.
If you’re looking for something with a bit more control, the Arctic F12 TC might be a better fit.
This fan features temperature control, meaning it will adjust the fan speed based on ambient temperature. The fan will adjust between 300 RPM and 1350 RPM depending on the interior temperature.
One great thing about the F12 TC is that the thermal sensor is on a 15-inch lead, meaning you can place it almost anywhere.
This is important because it allows for more accurate temperature readings and fan control.
If you’re looking for a fan that is optimized for static pressure, the P12 PWM PST is a great option. While it’s not part of the F12 series, it’s worth mentioning since it’s often compared to the F12.
The P12 has higher static pressure, making it better for use on radiators or heatsinks.
It also features Power Sharing Technology, allowing you to daisy chain multiple fans together.
Overall, the Arctic F12 series offers a variety of different options to fit your needs. While the standard F12 fan may be a bit noisy, it still moves a good amount of air and can be a solid choice for those on a budget.
If you’re looking for more control, the F12 TC may be a better fit, with its temperature control feature.
And if you’re looking for something optimized for static pressure, the P12 PWM PST is worth considering. If I were you, I’d seriously consider the P12 models.
If you are still undecided, check out this video review of Arctic F12 fans:
Arctic Fans: Pros and Cons Chart
Now, let’s put all this information together in a simple pros and cons chart.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very affordable | May not be the absolute best in terms of performance |
| Low noise levels | Some models may produce ticking noises after a few months of use |
| Stylish designs | Some models only have one mounting option |
| Easy to install | Limited PWM splitting function on some models |
| Durable and long-lasting | May not be the best choice for static pressure optimization |
| Excellent customer support and warranty | |
| Fluid dynamic bearings |
Are Arctic Fans Better Than Other Fans?
When it comes to comparing Arctic Case Fans to other brands like Noctua, it’s important to consider factors like performance and noise level.
In terms of performance, both Arctic and Noctua fans are comparable, with both brands offering high-quality airflow and cooling performance.
However, when it comes to noise level, Noctua fans are known for their superior noise-reducing technology, making them the quieter option.
That being said, the noise level may not be a significant factor for everyone.
If noise reduction is not a top priority, Arctic Case Fans are an excellent choice, offering high-quality performance at an affordable price point.
The fluid dynamic bearings used in Arctic Fans contribute to their low noise level, making them an excellent option for those who value low noise but don’t want to break the bank.
Personally, I prefer less noise so my vote is with Noctua.
Which Arctic Fans are the Best?
Any of the Arctic PC fans are good enough for most needs.
However, the following are some of the models I have personally used and experienced over the years.
| Best Arctic Fans | Price |
|---|---|
| ARCTIC P12 PWM PST (5 Pack) | Check the current price |
| ARCTIC P12 PWM PST A-RGB (3 Pack) | Check the current price |
| ARCTIC P14 PWM PST A-RGB | Check the current price |
Keep in mind that you will need more than one Arctic PC fan, so the packs are a good option.
Final Thoughts: Are Arctic Fans Good?
In my personal experience, I have used the Arctic Gaming Fans and Arctic Airflow Fans in my PC builds.
While I prefer Noctua for its low noise levels, I must say that the Arctic fans performed just as well in terms of cooling performance. I found the Arctic fans to be a reliable and affordable choice that offers excellent value for their price.
If you’re in the market for PC fans, I would highly recommend giving Arctic a try.
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