Noctua P12 & S12, both variable?

[jhammer569]

Just a quick question since I'm new to fans in general...

If I get either the Noctua NF-S12-1200 (or 800) or the Noctua NF-P12-1300 and hook either to my fan controller, can I adjust the speeds on either of them?

Or does a fan specifically have to be made to be 'variable' speed to be able to be slowed down by a fan controller?

If the S12-1200 can be adjusted, why would I get the S12-800? Might as well just slow down the 1200, right (because then I can go to 1200 if needed)?

 

[WoodButcher]

Originally posted by: jhammer569
If I get either the Noctua NF-S12-1200 (or 800) or the Noctua NF-P12-1300 and hook either to my fan controller, can I adjust the speeds on either of them?
Yes

Or does a fan specifically have to be made to be 'variable' speed to be able to be slowed down by a fan controller?

No A standard control uses resistance on the to lower the voltage. PWM switches the voltage rapidly IIRC.

If the S12-1200 can be adjusted, why would I get the S12-800? Might as well just slow down the 1200, right (because then I can go to 1200 if needed)?

Many of us use down volted fans to cool our systems, by using a control you do have the ability to speed them up for heavy usage or dial them back for simple interweb browsing or so you can hear the movie your watching. I have 4 Panaflow high speed and 3 1900 slipstreams in my box now and when the fans are at 5V my cpu idles at 33 and loads in the low 40s'. The only things you hear are my pumps and drive seeks. See my sig, my cpu is overclocked and over volted as well.

 

[jhammer569]

Cool, tnx for directly answering my questions!

 

[WoodButcher]

No problem, came across this while refreshing my feeble brain on PWM, it's a good read. It appears to be an old page but the info is still pretty much valid.