Noctua New A Series Fans and Accessories

NF-A12x15 PWM and NF-A12x15 FLX fans

The same as with 200mm fans, also the NF-A12x15 are in two versions which are not much different but of course are exceptional. General specification you can see in the table while below are shared key features. About the differences I will tell you while describing the fans.

PRODUCT	mm	RPM	dB/A	m³/h	mm H₂O
NF-A12x15 PWM	120x120x15	1850	23,9	94,2	1,53	4-Pin PWM
NF-A12x15 FLX	120x120x15	1850	23,9	94,2	1,53	3-Pin

15mm slim design

Having a thickness of only 15mm, the NF-A12x15 is much slimmer than standard 120x25mm fans. This makes it ideal for typical slim fan applications such as low-profile CPU coolers as well as for freeing up space by replacing standard 120x25mm fans on tower coolers, radiators or in PC cases.

Metal-reinforced motor hub

With many larger-diameter slim fan designs, the shorter axis and bearing lead to a reduced running stability and lifespan. The NF-A12x15 uses a metal-reinforced motor hub, a measure typically found in high-speed industrial fans, in order to guarantee Noctua’s signature stability and longevity.

Flow Acceleration Channels

The NF-A12x15 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.

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 mounting systems and fan clips used on heatsinks.

Extensive cabling options

The fan’s short 20cm primary cable minimises cable clutter in typical applications while the supplied 30cm extension provides extended reach when necessary. Both cables are fully sleeved and a 4-pin y-cable allows the connection of a second fan to the same PWM fan header for automatic control.

SSO2 bearing

The NF-A12x15 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.

6-year manufacturer’s warranty

Noctua fans are renowned for their impeccable quality and outstanding longevity. Like all Noctua fans, the NF-A12x15 features an MTTF of more than 150.000 hours rating and comes with a full 6-year manufacturer’s warranty.

As you can see on the photos below, package is in the same style as 200mm fans but of course is smaller. Both products are well described and the package includes everything we need for the installation.

NF-A12x15 PWM

Featuring advanced aerodynamic design measures such as Flow Acceleration Channels and Noctua’s AAO frame, the NF-A12x15 is a highly optimised, premium quality quiet fan in size 120x15mm. Its 15mm slim design makes the NF-A12x15 ideal for space-restricted applications such as low-profile CPU coolers or HTPC cases. The PWM version sports Noctua’s custom-designed NE-FD1 IC for fully automatic speed control via 4-pin fan headers and comes with a Low-Noise Adaptor to reduce the maximum speed during PWM control from 1850 to 1400rpm. Its superb running smoothness, reference-class SSO2 bearing and Noctua’s trusted premium quality make it an elite choice for the highest demands.

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.

Low-Noise Adaptor

The NF-A12x15 PWM is supplied with a (L.N.A.) that reduces the maximum fan speed from 1850 to 1400rpm. The L.N.A. can be used either to run the fan at a fixed speed of 1400rpm or to cap the maximum speed when using automatic PWM control.

PWM version of the NF-A12x15 fan has custom-designed PWM IC which lets it to work at optimal speed and reduces noise. In the package is also low-noise adaptor if we wish to limit maximum fan speed to 1400 RPM. Of course it can work at lower speed controlled by motherboard. Lower limit is about 450 RPM what makes this fan absolutely silent in any PC chassis.

The NF-A12x15 is quite slim fan. Its thickness is only 15mm what let it work in small cases or on a small coolers. At the same time its performance is higher than a typical 120mm fan. It’s just amazing considering that competition couldn’t make that for long years.

On the below photos you can see PWM version of the fan and the package contents so extension cable, low-noise adaptor, 4-pin Y cable, four mounting screws and four anti-vibration mounts.

NF-A12x15 FLX

Featuring advanced aerodynamic design measures such as Flow Acceleration Channels and Noctua’s AAO frame, the NF-A12x15 is a highly optimised, premium quality quiet fan in size 120x15mm. Its 15mm slim design makes the NF-A12x15 ideal for space-restricted applications such as low-profile CPU coolers or HTPC cases. The FLX version provides 1850/1400/950rpm speed settings via the supplied Low-Noise Adaptors in order to allow full flexibility in fine-tuning the fan for maximum ventilation performance or near-silent operation. Its superb running smoothness, reference-class SSO2 bearing and Noctua’s trusted premium quality make it an elite choice for the highest demands.

3 speed settings for full flexibility

Providing 1850, 1400 and 950 rpm speed settings via the supplied Low-Noise and Ultra-Low-Noise Adapters, the NF-A12x15 FLX (Flexibility) can be fine-tuned for superior airflow or maximum quietness.

The NF-A12x15 FLX has 3 speed modes which we can set using low-noise and ultra-low-noise adapters. General specification of the fan itself is the same as in PWM version.

Package of the NF-A12x15 FLX includes already mentioned low and ultra-low noise adapters, four anti-vibration mounts, four screws, user’s manual and of course the fan. All you may need to install the NF-A12x15 fan.

Also this time we can see top quality product. I think that some users can only complain about the fan colors as brown doesn’t fit to many color schemes of modded computers. Most users however care about performance and low noise more than the product color.

NF-A12x15 PWM and NF-A12x15 FLX fans

15mm slim design

Metal-reinforced motor hub

Flow Acceleration Channels

AAO Frame

Stepped Inlet Design

Inner Surface Microstructures

Integrated Anti-Vibration Pads

Extensive cabling options

SSO2 bearing

6-year manufacturer’s warranty

NF-A12x15 PWM

Custom-designed PWM IC with SCD

Low-Noise Adaptor

NF-A12x15 FLX

3 speed settings for full flexibility

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