The monochrome world of Noctua's redux fans

[lodestar]

Noctua's redux fans are just starting to hit the retail channel in the UK, although currently they are only being listed by QuietPC. The redux range are cheaper than standard Noctuas because they are just the fan (and some screws). Gone are the extras such as Y cables, Low Noise adapters, extension cables and rubber mountings. But Noctua is making the previously included accessories available separately. The most significant feature of the redux fans is fairly obvious from this graphic of the 120mm NF-S12B



Fans in the redux range are:

140 mm (Square frame)
NF-P14s 900 RPM 3 pin
NF-P14s 1200 RPM 3 pin
NF-P14s PWM 350 -1200 RPM
NF-P14s PWM 450 - 1500 RPM

140mm (Round frame)
NF-P14r PWM 450 - 1500 RPM

120mm
NF-S12B 700 RPM 3 pin
NF-S12B 1200 RPM 3 pin
NF-S12B PWM 400 -1200 RPM

92mm
NF-B9 1600 RPM 3 pin
NF-B9 PWM 350 - 1600 RPM

80mm
NF-R8 1200 RPM 3 pin
NF-R8 1800 RPM 3 pin
NF-R8 PWM 325 - 1800 RPM

To give some idea of what the price difference can be, the redux NF-S12B 120mm PWM fan is listed by QuietPC at £11.99. It has a fan speed range of 400 to 1200 rpm. The closest standard Noctua equivalent is the NF-S12A PWM 120 with a speed range of 300 to 1200 (and includes the extras such as Y cable, extension cable etc). The NF-S12A is listed by QuietPC at £16.99 which is around 50% more than the redux. Apart from the difference in appearance and the slightly different individual fan specs, there do not seem to be any other constructional differences between the two ranges. Both feature Noctua's SSO bearing and the PWM fans have the usual NE-FD1 PWM Integrated Circuit. The six year guarantee also applies.

[lodestar]

The redux fans are now being listed by several retailers in the UK, and at least two have stock. In North America Quiet PC USA have stock. The NF-S12B redux 1200 PWM is listed by Quiet PC USA at $17.90 and the NF-S12A PWM at $23.95; about the same level of price difference as seen elsewhere.

[UK_Peter]

Has anyone got a comparison of how these sound and perform compared to the standard Noctua fans? To my eye they have a different blade design which should affect things, so curious how the 140mm fans stack up against http://www.silentpcreview.com/140mm_Fan_Roundup1

[fuzzymath10]

I have 3 original nf-r8s and 2 new nf-r8 pwm reduxes. The packaging is considerably more basic with no accessories other than four metal screws; no rubber mounts or cables. The fans aren't quite comparable because of pwm. However I do not believe they are any worse than the regular beige fans.