Introduction

We reviewed the then hotly anticipated Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM fan a few months ago, and it definitely earned the hype and then some as the performance results and eventual discussion showed. That fan did not launch on its own, however, as Noctua had decided that with their standard retail series getting a new 120 mm flagship, perhaps their redux lineup merited an addition as well. The redux series, in case you were not familiar with Noctua's offerings, aims to offer a more streamlined version of an older design in a different color scheme and minimalist packaging. This helps move the fan down to a more accessible price point and recuperates the company some R&D costs over a longer period of time as well. This review has arguably been long in the tooth, but is still just as relevant today as it was at launch, and we thank Noctua again for providing review samples to TechPowerUp.


The Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM fan, as the name suggests, is the redux version of the popular NF-P12 120 mm pressure-optimized fan. As with the rest of the redux series, it gets a visual makeover in the form of a gray and gunmetal gray color scheme as opposed to the tan-and-brown color scheme that has become Noctua's identifier, however polarizing. The essentials are intact, however, with their excellent SSO bearing still in use here. We will examine the fan in more detail and begin the review with a look at the specifications below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

Marketing spiel did leave us expecting a minimalist package, and indeed, the very packaging follows that trend. Those familiar with Noctua's redux or industrial lineup of fans will already know what to expect, which is not much. Fairly clean packaging greets us thus, with a predominantly gray color scheme and accents of brown for that Noctua flavor on top. We see the company logo and product name on the front, but eyes are drawn to the "New Frame Design" note Noctua clearly wants us to know about. On the back is more information about the product, including technical specs and contact information. There are no seals, but the combination of single and double flaps helps keep the contents inside in place during transit.


Opening the box, we are immediately greeted to the fan that is kept in place inside a plastic clamshell to protect it from the sides and the bottom, with the packaging adding more protection at the top. There is a cutout in the plastic to allow for the fan cable to pass through and over to the other side, which is also where we see the only accessory that comes with the NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM fan: a set of four self-tapping metal screws. These are a last resort to be used when you have no other option available to mount the fan inside your case, but the intended application is to use the NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM as a radiator fan, which means you will be using the screws that come with the radiator itself.