Noctua has 2 new line models which are Redux and IndustrialPPC models and today I’ll be reviewing one of a specific fan models which is Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200 Fan and do some comparison with their original brown-beige fans which are Noctua NF-A14 and Noctua NF-P14 models in the aspects of cooling performance, acoustic and design. To give a brief overview of these new line ups, the Redux is the economical fan from Noctua. Imagine that its the original brown-beige but the color is swapped to alternating light-dark gray, and the packaging is a lot simpler. Let’s take a look on the fan’s specification, testing and usage details.
Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200 Specifications
| Model | |
| Brand | Noctua |
| Series | NF-P (Pressure) |
| Model ID | NF-P14 redux-1200 |
| Specifications | |
| Type | Case Fan |
| Bearing Type | SSO |
| Fan Size (W x H x D) | 140mm (140mm x 140mm x 25mm) |
| Power Connector | 3 pin |
| Voltage, Current, Power | 12V, 0.10A, 1.2W |
| Color | Light Gray Frame, Dark Gray Fan Blade |
| LED | N/A |
| Corner Type | Open |
| Cable Length | 36cm |
| Performance | Fan |
| Rotational Speed (RPM) | 1200 |
| Airflow (CFM) | 110.3 |
| Noise (dBA) | 19.6 |
| Static Pressure (mmH2O) | 1.29 |
| Others | |||
| Warranty | 6 years | ||
| MTBF | 150,000 hours | ||
| Scope of Delivery | 4 x Fan Screws. | ||
| MSRP | 15.90 EUR | ||
| Released Date | 2014-05-13 | ||
| Technologies |
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| Notes |
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Packaging
Noctua NF-P14s Redux-1200 Front Packaging
All Noctua’s Redux models will come in a simple packaging similarly to the other inexpensive fans in the market. However, this comes with full paper board box with no plastic to unveil the fan inside. This packaging is same as Noctua’s IndustrialPPC fans but colored in gray instead of all black.
Noctua NF-P14s Redux-1200 Rear Details
On the rear of the packaging, you can see its made in China, whereas the IndustrialPPC models are made in Taiwan. The fan details can be found on Noctua’s website with a downloadable PDF specification link. You can use your mobile QR code scanner to visit their site quickly instead of typing the long URL. However, when I tested it with my QR scanner, it led me to a “mobile.noctua.at ***** page was not found on this server”. Perhaps, they could perform a redirect should the page URL has been removed, probably a better method would be linking directly to their main website instead of the mobile as a temporary backup.
Noctua NF-P14s Redux-1200 Internal Packaging
The internal of the box only has 4 screws inside a plastic sealed bag, and the fan itself. As you may have noticed, the little “s” suffixed in NF-P14s described this to have a square frame instead of circular frame.
Noctua NF-P14s Redux 1200 Rear Fan
The rear of the fan has the usual Noctua’s label and minor details. It shows half part of the magnetic metal bearing in the center.
Noctua Fan Comparison (4 Models)
Noctua Fan 140mm Comparison Front
The picture below displays all 4 fan models (black = industrialPPC, gray = Redux, brown = original).
Noctua Fan 140mm Comparison Rear
All fans comes with their own unique sticker label while the Redux hides half of the magnetic bearing shell compared to the rest.
Noctua Fan 140mm Comparison Color: Original vs IndustrialPPC vs Redux
Here you can compare the 3 types of fans mounted at the rear. The case used here is a Fractal Design Arc Midi with no window side panel. Therefore, less light are shone into the case. It would be difficult for anyone to notice from afar if you had a Noctua fan when its all black but with gray, you can at least see the fan. Very few fans uses gray, so it would be quite unique too but not as great as brown.
Noctua Redux vs Original vs IndustrialPPC Video Test Comparison
Here is a short video testing the fan airflow performance.
[youtube url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZQFD3Q371Q]
Testing Outcome
To test the airflow generated by this fan, I mounted it on the exhaust fan slot and have some paper stick behind it so we can see how it flickers based on the air pressure. Then, I compared it with the original NF-P14 (brown-beige fans), and its generates basically the same results. It does not push much air compared to the NF-A14 though. After giving it a try and compared it with 3 other fan models (NF-A14, NF-A14 IndustrialPPC 2000, NF-P14), I discovered that the mounting holes is quite small. It’s the same size as the NF-P12 which is quite tight to install the rubber grommets especially Noctua’s version. I also tried a third-party anti-vibration grommets which were Prolimatech Magnetic Grommets and was also having some hard time to pull it through, only managed to get it in around 7/10 the length. I wished they were bigger or same as the one found in NF-A14.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
The NF-P14s redux-1200 offers same great performance as its predecessor which is NF-P14. With the additional square frame, it would be useful for certain cases that uses plastic panel hinges that holds the fan in place instead of screws, and one such PC chassis is Fractal Arc Midi’s front panel. The square frame also acts as a tunneling mechanism, so no airflow can be leaked from the side. It’s now possible to populate your chassis up to 5 for a positive airflow configuration without costing a bomb as its priced comparatively lower than the original Noctua series given that it the accessories are now optional. However, just bear in mind that it has the square frame, mounting on heatsinks that previously supports NF-P14 fans will not be possible as the mounting holes are further apart which is non-120mm but true 140mm mounting capabilities. Last but not least, its backed with 6 years warranty so if it malfunction in some ways, you can contact Noctua for a replacement.
Special thanks to Jakob for making this review possible. For more details on the technologies implemented in this product, please visit their homepage product section at NF-P14s redux-1200.