Benchmark values and test results …
First, we measured the fans in the removed state with a dB meter from a distance of 100cm. In addition, we determined the respective rotational speed.
120mm Arctic BioniX F120 …
| 20% | 27dB | 760rpm |
| 40% | 28dB | 1380rpm |
| 60% | 33dB | 1930rpm |
| 80% | 39dB | 2400rpm |
| 100% | 43dB | 2730rpm |
140mm Arctic BioniX F140 …
| 20% | 28dB | 715rpm |
| 40% | 32dB | 1360rpm |
| 60% | 38dB | 1890rpm |
| 80% | 42dB | 2340rpm |
| 100% | 46dB | 2640rpm |
Up to 40% the fans are still as silent, afterwards it goes steadily upwards and from 80% they give everything they have. However, the noise is not unpleasant over the complete control range. They will be louder the faster they rotate, but the sound is free from bearing noise, cluttering, etc.
It is also interesting that the measured fan speed figures differ so clearly from the details on the packaging. We then tested different connectors and even a different motherboard, but the values remained the same as we noted them. Here, the fans either output incorrect values via the PWM signal or are not recognized correctly by the 3-phase motor. All speeds are displayed approx. 50% too high!
We recorded the sprint from 0 to 100 and back on video:
Arctic BioniX F120 fan
Arctic BioniX F140 fan
Arctic BioniX field test …