Everyone knows that you need to keep your computer cool at all times to get the most out of it. The most important of all is keeping the CPU coolest--especially if you overclocked it. You also want to keep the noise level to the minimum--nobody wants an airplane to take off when you turn the computer on.

The Noctua NF-S12B FLX cooling fan will keep your computer cool and the noise down. You can use it to cool your CPU or your case; it's up to you. While it may not be the best fan for cooling your CPU, that's exactly what I did to see if my CPU stays cool or not. I was also in great need to reduce the noise from all the fans in my Azza Helios 910R case. So let's see how this one does.


LOOK AND FEEL
The NF-S12B FLX has is a 120mm cooling fan with highly optimized beveled blades featuring smooth commutation drive 2 (SCD2) technology. Like other Noctua fans, this one is also designed with noise control in mind. This is the same size fan that came with the Spire TherMax II CPU cooler but a lot quieter. The Spire TherMax II fan spins at a maximum speed of 2200 rpm--that is fast but also loud. This fan also came with three adapters to control the speed and noise levels with just like the NF-P14 FLX. I installed it on the TherMax II CPU cooler to see how it performs compared to the original that came with the cooler. This cooling fan uses SSO bearing for long life and virtually no noise while spinning. The fan blades are uniquely engineered for the best and the quietest possible performance.

(click image to enlarge)