Fan Case Budget King: Arctic P12 Max

Today, we are introducing the Arctic P12 Max 120mm fans, putting three of them to the test on a radiator. Our evaluation includes tests at the respective maximum fan speeds and at a normalized 40 dB, aiming to determine which fans offer the best performance at the same noise level. These P12 Max fans boast an almost unbeatable price-performance ratio, often available for around $11 to $12 each. The question at hand: are these Arctic fans truly exceptional not only in terms of performance but also build quality? The fact that Arctic backs them with a 6-year warranty suggests their confidence in these fans.

The delivery package is minimalistic, providing only the fan itself and four screws for mounting it into the PC case. Aesthetically, the fan is simple, with no lighting elements. The focus is on pure functionality, and the initial impression of build quality is surprisingly high for a fan in the $10 to $15 range. The rubber padding on the corners is a welcome feature to reduce vibration noise. The fan wheel design aims to improve general pressure stability.

As the name implies, the P12 Max can reach the maximum, boasting an RPM range of 200 to 3,300 RPM, with the option to stop completely when the PWM signal is set to less than 5%. The dual ball bearing system, provided by the Japanese manufacturer NMB, promises a long lifespan but comes with the trade-off of potentially higher bearing noise compared to sleeve bearings. The fan is marketed for various use cases, especially for radiators.

In terms of noise levels, the dual ball bearing is not the quietest, producing 60 dB at maximum speed. However, this is at the expense of achieving high RPM. For those seeking a quieter option, Arctic offers the P12 PWM PST, which is more noise-optimized. Moving to performance, we conducted tests with the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X on a liquid cooler's radiator, testing three fans in total.

At maximum speed, the P12 Max outperforms many more expensive competing models by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius but is among the noisiest. However, when throttled to 40 dB, the performance remains respectable, even if not at the top. At more realistic fan speeds, the P12 Max loses some of its power but still maintains good cooling performance, making it a practical and affordable choice.

When the fan speed is lowered to a more realistic level, the P12 Max fans exhibit a noticeable drop in power. However, the results achieved remain respectable and far from subpar. These fans can be considered highly versatile, even capable of achieving zero decibels by coming to a complete standstill, a valuable feature for specific configurations. In terms of build quality, it's noteworthy that, despite their affordable price range of $11 to $12 per piece, these fans are not lacking. With a 6-year warranty, they instill confidence in their durability, making them one of the best options for those seeking quality and performance at a lower cost. We find the Arctic P12 Max to be a commendable choice and can confidently recommend them, particularly for users prioritizing a balance between quality and cost-effectiveness.