NF-A20 PWM and NF-A20 FLX fans
I will start from the NF-A20 PWM. Both 200mm fans, so PWM and FLX version, look almost the same and package is also almost the same. There are still some differences. Let’s take a look at the table below for general specification of the fans and after that the main features of said 200mm fans.
|
PRODUCT
|
mm
|
RPM
|
dB/A
|
mm H2O
|
 |
|
|
200x200x30
|
800
|
18,1
|
146,9
|
1,08
|
4-Pin PWM
|
|
|
200x200x30
|
800
|
18,1
|
146,9
|
1,08
|
3-Pin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Package is in a typical for Noctua color scheme so white, black and brown. The fans are in brown tones as most popular Noctua series. It’s hard to mistake them as no other brand has fans like this. Additionally no other brand has so advanced fans but about that I will tell a bit later.
Inside the package we can find all we need to install the NF-A20 fan. There is full product description on the external side of the box but also description of the package contents inside. Additionally there is user’s manual and all other components like rubber anti-vibration mounts, extension cables, low-noise cable and four screws if we don’t want or can’t use rubber plugs to install the fan.
The NF-A20 PWM fan has rubber pads on the corners which can be removed as you see on the photos below. These are the small things that matter and make the difference between products.
Most brands just put a fan into small box and that’s all. Noctua cares about every detail to deliver top quality product without the need of purchase anything else to make it run as specified.
Both versions of the NF-A20 have three different hole spacing for installation. It’s possible to use 154×154, 110×180 or 170×170 mm spacing what makes it much easier to install in non-standard PC cases or on other devices if there is such need.
Below you can see the NF-A20 FLX fan which looks about the same as PWM version. Both fans are specified to spin up to 800 RPM at a typical wattage of 0.96W and 12V voltage. Pretty nice specification for the given performance. On the sticker we can also read that fans include SSO2 system with metal bearing shell what of course affects fan’s durability.
The difference between fans is mainly in additional elements which we can find in the package.
The NF-A20 PWM has two available modes. Connection via PWM without low-noise adaptor will let us see between 350 and 800 RPM. While using low-noise adaptor, maximum fan speed will be limited to about 550 RPM.
The NF-A20 FLX is able to run in two modes. One is via 3-pin connector ( or 4 pin Molex ) what lets the fan to spin at about 800 RPM and second option is low-noise adaptor which limits fan speed to 550 RPM.
That’s about all the differences so specification of the fan itself is the same regardless if we pick PWM or FLX version.
Below is the package of the NF-A20 FLX.
The same as the NF-A20 PWM, also FLX version has a small box with all required cables and anti-vibration mounts which are also helpful to install fans without additional screws and tools.
Not many brands are selling high quality 200mm fans. Most of them have or low performance or low quality. Noctua provides all the best in one package so if we need top quality 200mm fan then choice is obvious.
On the next page we will check smaller fans but more popular – NF-A12x15 in a 120mm size.
