ARCTIC S12038-8K 120mm 8000 RPM PWM Server Fan
ARCTIC
ARCTIC S12038-8K 120mm 8000 RPM PWM Server Fan
The ARCTIC S12038-8K is a 120mm server fan designed for high-pressure cooling in tightly packed server enclosures and industrial systems. It combines a wide 800–8000 rpm speed range with active motor cooling and dual ball bearings to deliver reliable performance in demanding environments while consuming 22% less power than competing models at equivalent output.
Why this product
Wide speed range for precise control
Adjustable from 800 to 8000 rpm via PWM or voltage regulation, allowing fine-tuned cooling to match server load and ambient conditions without wasting energy.
Active motor cooling extends service life
An additional impeller in the fan hub actively cools the motor. A 10 °C reduction in motor temperature roughly doubles the service life.
22% lower power consumption
Months of motor optimisation by ARCTIC engineers deliver the same cooling performance as competitors while drawing significantly less current.
Dual ball bearings in brass housing
Japanese ball bearings mounted in a sturdy brass housing increase stability, reduce wear at high speed, and minimise sensitivity to heat and dust.
Fits 3U server cases and compatible headers
Standard 4-pin connector works with 2-pin or 3-pin headers. The 30 cm cable offers flexible placement within server enclosures.
6-year warranty
Long-term durability tested under extreme conditions: 70 °C ambient temperature, high dust exposure, and changing humidity.
- Fan size120 mm
- Speed range800–8000 rpm PWM
- Airflow220 cfm (370 m³/h)
- Static pressure37 mmH₂O
- Power consumption2.2 A @ 12 V (max 3.2 A)
- Warranty6 years
- Operating temperature−10 °C to +70 °C
- SKUARC-3528
- EAN4895213704762
- Server cases from 3U upwards; works as CPU fan, radiator fan, or system ventilation upgrade.
- Industrial systems, machine control, and automation systems requiring high-pressure cooling.
- 12 V DC power supply; start-up voltage as low as 6.5 V DC.
- Dusty environments; included impeller sticker allows sealing of the motor-cooling inlet if needed.
- Requires motherboard or controller support for PWM or voltage regulation; operates at fixed speed without such control.
Best for
- High-density server and data-centre cooling where space is tight and pressure-driven airflow is essential.
- Long-running systems in harsh environments; active motor cooling and ball bearings extend life under sustained operation.
- Power-conscious deployments where energy efficiency reduces operating costs and cooling load.
- Variable-load scenarios; PWM control allows dynamic speed adjustment to match real-time cooling demand.
- Dusty or contaminated air environments; sealed ball bearing design and included hub sticker maintain reliability.
Trade-offs
- Desktop or low-profile cases; the 38 mm depth and 3U minimum requirement rule out compact form factors.
- Systems without PWM or voltage-control headers; the fan can run at fixed speed but loses its main adaptive advantage.
- Low-noise applications; at 8000 rpm this is a high-pressure workhorse, not a silent cooling solution.
The S12038-8K features a wide range of speeds from 800 to 8000 rpm, which can be controlled either via PWM or voltage regulation. This wide range enables precise adjustment of the fan to the specific requirements of the server, ensuring efficient cooling performance under different operating conditions.
The fan is equipped with a standard 4-pin connector, which also allows connection to 2-pin or 3-pin headers. The 30 cm long cable offers additional flexibility in fan placement.
A 10 °C lower motor temperature roughly doubles the service life. The motor of the S12038-8K is not only particularly efficient, but is also actively cooled by an additional impeller in the fan hub. To ensure a long service life in particularly dusty environments, a sticker to cover the fan hub impeller is included in the packaging.
The impeller of the S12038-8K is held by two high-quality Japanese ball bearings in a sturdy brass housing. This design increases the stability, strength and perpendicularity of the fan and minimises sensitivity to influences such as heat and dust. In addition, the brass housing helps to reduce wear on high-speed fans.
Especially in server environments, fans with a high pressure are required to enable sufficient air circulation in the often tightly packed enclosures. The S12038-8K fits into server cases from 3U and serves as an upgrade or replacement for a CPU fan, radiator fan or for system ventilation.
In addition to server cooling, it is also used in industrial systems and plays an important role in machine control and automation systems. Reliable and robust, it guarantees performance in various hardware environments and ensures efficient cooling and minimised downtimes.
For the same performance, the S12038 consumes 22 % less than the next best competitor, improving the energy efficiency of your server. The reduction of the power consumption is the result of months of motor optimization by ARCTIC engineers with the aim to increase the IT equipment efficiency.
70 °C ambient temperature, high dust exposure and changing humidity - we carry out our long-term tests under these extreme conditions to ensure the service life of our products.
Fan
| Brand | ARCTIC |
|---|---|
| Size | 120 × 120 × 38 mm |
| Speed range | 800–8000 rpm PWM controlled |
| Bearing type | Dual Ball Bearing with Brass Housing |
Performance
| Airflow | 220 cfm (370 m³/h) |
|---|---|
| Static pressure | 37 mmH₂O |
Acoustics & power
| Operating voltage | 12.0 V DC |
|---|---|
| Current (typical) | 2.2 A |
| Current (maximum) | 3.2 A |
| Start-up voltage | 6.5 V DC |
| Connector | 4-Pin Fan Connector (also compatible with 2-pin and 3-pin headers) |
| Cable length | 300 mm |
| Weight | 328 g |
| Operating ambient temperature | −10 °C to +70 °C |
| Motor protection | Reverse Polarity, Over Voltage, Over Current Protection |
| Flammability (UL 94) | V-0 |
| Warranty | 6 Years |
Shipping
All our products are shipped from the United Kingdom within 24 to 48 hours of purchase. See our Shipping and Returns page for full details.
Returns
- Tech Syndicate offers a full money-back guarantee on all purchases made in our store. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, we will provide a full refund, no questions asked.
- Refunds are available within 45 days of delivery.
- After the 45-day period you are no longer eligible for a refund, so we encourage you to try the product within the first few weeks to make sure it fits your needs.