Next-generation performance
Noctuas 120mm fans such as the NF-F12 and NF-S12A are renowned as being among
the best on the market and have received more than 400 awards and
recommendations from the international press. With its further improved
efficiency and novel, state-of-the-art engineering, the NF-A12x25 represents
another step up in performance and manufacturing.
Award-winning NF-A12x25 design
First introduced in 2018, the NF-A12x25 has taken the hearts of quiet cooling
enthusiasts around the world by storm and reshaped the common perception of what
120mm fans can do. With more than 100 awards and recommendations from the
international press, its widely considered to be the best 120mm fan on the
market.
Highly optimised P/Q curve for all
applications
The NF-A12x25s sophisticated aerodynamic design allows for a pressure to
airflow (P/Q) curve that is extremely strong in the critical mid-section. This
means that the NF-A12x25 is a true jack-of-all-trades with excellent performance
in both static pressure demanding and airflow demanding applications.
Excellent on-application acoustics
While many fans produce unpleasant, high-pitched noises when installed in
typical applications such as on heatsinks or radiators, the NF-A12x25 has been
carefully fine-tuned for optimal on-application acoustics. It produces a smooth,
pleasant frequency profile and surprisingly low sound pressure levels (SPL) when
working against back pressure.
Flow Acceleration Channels
The NF-A12x25 impeller features suction side Flow Acceleration Channels. By
speeding up the airflow at the crucial outer blade regions, this measure reduces
suction side flow separation and thus leads to better efficiency and lower
vortex noise.
Ultra-tight tip clearance
The NF-A12x25 has a record tight tip clearance (distance between the blade
tips and the inside of the frame) of only 0.5mm. This highly ambitious design
sets a new benchmark for 120mm fans and helps the NF-A12x25 to work more
efficiently against back pressure, such as on heatsinks or radiators, by
reducing leak flows through the gap between impeller and frame.
Metal-reinforced motor hub
The centrepiece of the NF-A12x25s motor hub is made entirely from steel and
the axle mount is reinforced with an additional brass structure. In combination,
both measures ensure ultimate precision and increased stability in the critical
hub area.
Sterrox liquid-crystal polymer compound
The NF-A12x25s impeller is made from Noctuas novel Sterrox liquid-crystal
polymer (LCP) compound that features extreme tensile strength, an exceptionally
low thermal expansion coefficient and damping characteristics that are ideal for
reducing resonance and vibration phenomena in advanced fan-blade designs.
AAO frame
Noctua's AAO (Advanced Acoustic Optimisation) frames feature integrated
anti-vibration pads as well as Noctua's proprietary Stepped Inlet Design and
Inner Surface Microstructures, both of which further refine the fan's
performance/noise efficiency.
Stepped Inlet Design
Noctua's Stepped Inlet Design adds turbulence to the influx in order to
facilitate the transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow, which reduces
tonal intake noise, improves flow attachment and increases suction capacity,
especially in space-restricted environments.
Inner Surface Microstructures
With the tips of the fan blades ploughing through the boundary layer created
by the Inner Surface Microstructures, flow separation from the suction side of
the blades is significantly suppressed, which results in reduced blade passing
noise and improved airflow and pressure efficiency.
Integrated anti-vibration pads
Integrated anti-vibration pads made from extra-soft silicone minimise the
transmission of minute vibrations while maintaining full compatibility with all
standard screws and other mounting systems.
Anti-vibration gasket for watercooling
radiators
The NF-A12x25 includes a silicone gasket that can be used when installing the
fan on watercooling radiators or other applications that benefit from a tighter
seal with the fan. The gasket helps to damp minute vibrations and to reduce air
loss between the fan and the radiator for optimal cooling performance.
SSO2 bearing
The NF-A12x25 features the further optimised second generation of Noctua's
renowned, time-tested SSO bearing. With SSO2, the rear magnet is placed closer
to the axis to provide even better stabilisation, precision and durability.
Metal bearing shell
In order to guarantee the highest possible degree of manufacturing precision,
minimum tolerance and excellent long-term stability, the NF-A12x25 sports a CNC
milled bearing shell made entirely from brass.
Ultra-quiet low-speed version with PWM
Producing only 12.1 dB(A) at its 1200rpm maximum speed and 7.6 dB(A) with the
included Low-Noise Adaptor, the LS-PWM version is ideal for serious
silent-enthusiasts: An ultra-quiet low-speed fan that supports PWM control for
advanced acoustic fine-tuning!
Custom-designed PWM IC with SCD
Supporting fully automatic PWM speed control, the fan uses Noctua's
custom-designed NE-FD1 PWM IC that integrates Smooth Commutation Drive (SCD)
technology. By providing smoother torque impulses, SCD suppresses PWM switching
noises and thus makes the fan quieter at low speeds.
Stops at 0% PWM
When the fan is set to 0% PWM duty cycle by the motherboard or PWM fan
controller, it will stop. This makes it ideal for creating setups with
semi-passive cooling that automatically turn the fans off and thus run
completely silent at idle if thermals allow.
Smooth Commutation Drive 2
The latest version of Noctua's advanced Smooth Commutation Drive system
ensures superb running smoothness by eliminating torque variations and switching
noises. This makes the fan remarkably quiet even at very close distances.
Optional adaptor for 140mm watercooling
radiators
Thanks to its superior efficiency, the NF-A12x25 can outperform many 140mm
fans. Combined with the optional NA-FMA1 adaptor frame that allows it to be
installed on 140mm radiators, the NF-A12x25 is a great upgrade for 140mm-based
watercoolers.
6-year manufacturers warranty
Noctua fans are renowned for their impeccable quality and outstanding
longevity. Like all Noctua fans, the NF-A12x25 features an MTTF of more than
150.000 hours rating and comes with a full 6-year manufacturers
warranty.
