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The NF-A15 is a premium quality quiet 140mm fan with a round frame that complies with Noctua’s AAO (Advanced Acoustic Optimisation) standard. The NF-A15’s frame features 120mm mounting holes (105mm spacing) and has been enlarged to 150mm width in order to provide superior performance on today’s high-end CPU coolers. Featuring sophisticated aerodynamic design measures such as Flow Acceleration Channels, the NF-A15 further improves the renowned quiet cooling performance of the award-winning NF-P14. Noctua’s custom designed PWM IC for fully automatic speed control and reference class SSO2 bearings guarantee superb running smoothness and excellent long-term stability. Topped off with modular cabling, a Low-Noise Adaptor and 6 years manufacturer’s warranty, the NF-A15 is a premium choice for the highest demands.
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Succeeding the award-winning NF-P14
Noctua's NF-P14 fan has become a default-choice among PC enthusiasts looking for a premium quality quiet 140mm fan. Thanks to its thoroughgoing aerodynamic optimisations, the NF-A15/14 provides higher static pressure and an even better airflow/noise ratio than its much acclaimed predecessor.
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Round 140mm frame with 150mm width
The NF-A15 is tailor-made for use on today's high-end CPU coolers: While its 150mm width matches those of most high-end heatsinks, its 140mm height doesn't make it extend on top and thus ensures best case compatibility. The NF-A15's standard 120mm mounting holes (105mm spacing) also make it an ideal performance upgrade for 120mm case or CPU fans.
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Flow Acceleration Channels
The NF-A15 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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SSO2 Bearing
The NF-A15 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.
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Metal bearing shell
In order to guarantee the highest possible degree of manufacturing precision, minimum tolerance and excellent long-term stability, the NF-A15 sports a CNC milled bearing shell made entirely from brass.
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Custom-designed PWM IC with SCD
Supporting fully automatic PWM speed control, the NF-A15 PWM uses Noctua's novel, 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.
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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.
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Low-Noise Adaptor
The NF-A15 PWM is supplied with a (L.N.A.) that reduces the maximum fan speed from 1200 to 900rpm. The L.N.A. can be used either to run the fan at a fixed speed of 900rpm or to cap the maximum speed when using automatic PWM control.
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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 NF-A15 PWM fan to the same PWM fan header for automatic control.
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Ultra-Low Power Consumption
Despite of its further improved performance, the NF-A15 PWM consumes only 0.96W of power, which amounts to a reduction of about 20% as compared to its predecessor. This doesn't only make it eco-friendly but also helps to cut down the electricity bill!
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6-year manufacturer’s warranty
Noctua fans are renowned for their impeccable quality and outstanding longevity. Like all Noctua fans, the NF-A15 features an MTTF of more than 150.000 hours rating and comes with a full 6-year manufacturer's warranty.
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Size
140x150x25 mm
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Mounting hole spacing
105x105 mm
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4-pin PWM
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Cable length
20cm + 30cm NA-EC1 extension cable
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Bearing
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Blade geometry
A-Series with Flow Acceleration Channels
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Frame technology
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Rotational speed (+/- 10%)
1200 RPM
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Rotational speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%)
900 RPM
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Min. rotational speed (PWM, +/-20%)
300 RPM
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88,7 m³/h
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Acoustical noise
19,2 dB(A)
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Static pressure
1,51 mm H₂O
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Static pressure with L.N.A.
0,89 mm H₂O
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Max. input power
0,96 W
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Max. input current
0,08 A
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Operating voltage
12 V
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MTTF
> 150.000 h
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Scope of delivery
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6 years
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NF-A15 PWM Review
As you can see the NF-A15 PWM fan definitely offered up an advantage over the 140mm fans at equivalent speeds. This advantage on our system is around 2 degrees. At 900 RPM the NF-A15 PWM fan gives about 1 degree better performance than the NF-A14 FLX. [...] The key things to draw from this graph are that the NF-A15 PWM fan does offer better performance than a 140mm at equivalent speeds. It is also quite clear that the Noctua fans excel in offering high airflow/performance at low RPMs, very useful for people who want quiet but cool systems. [...] Since we used a new acoustic testing methodology for these fans the results are not comparable with any other fan reviews we have done – sorry about that. But the results are interesting because they show that actually the Noctua fans are neck and neck with the provided Thermalright 140mm fan that comes with the CPU cooler we tested on. However, as we saw on the previous page, you get better cooling performance at the same level of acoustic output which can only be a good thing.
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Test verdict: "The end result of all this is more cooling performance than a 120mm fan can offer simply because the bigger a fan is, the more air it can shift. That said, if anyone is looking for the ultimate push-pull CPU heatsink configuration then I cannot recommend these fans highly enough.
I would like to award the NF-A15 PWM fan the eTeknix Extreme Performance Award because as far as fans go, it offers exactly that but still gives you silence, quality, reliability and style." (Ryan Martin, eTeknix.com)
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NF-A15 PWM Review
In questa recensione ci siamo realmente resi conto di quanto Noctua sia attenta ai dettagli e alla cura dei propri prodotti anche in delle “semplici” ventole che poi, in questo caso specifico, semplici non sono visto l’elevata cura nella produzione e nelle tecnologie adottate.
Ci ha stupito moltissimo il fatto di ritrovare tutte le tecnologie citate nell’introduzione anche nelle ventole di dimensione ridotta come le NF-A4. Siamo decisamente soddisfatti sia dalle prestazioni in termini di efficienza/rumore, sia dal bundle che dai prezzi decisamente in linea con quelli di altri produttori ma assolutamente superiori in termini di caratteristiche e prestazioni.
Attribuiamo a tutta la NF-A Series il premio Gold Award per l’innovazione tecnologica e la cura dei particolari che L’azienda ha dimostrato in questa serie di ventole super-efficienti.
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Test verdict: "Ventole per ogni tipo di esigenza. Noctua con la serie NF-A ha pensato proprio a tutti e a tutto proponendo prodotti di altissima qualità e tecnologia mantenendo un ottimo rapporto qualità/prezzo. Decisamente apprezzata la cura dei dettagli e del bundle che rendoni queste ventole il TOP DI GAMMA sul mercato." (Davide Torno, QWERTYmag.it)
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NF-A15 PWM Review
Tras probar las serie NF-A de 140mm podemos decir que estamos ante cuatro grandes ventiladores, en general silenciosos y con un buen caudal aire. De la serie NF-A14 tenemos el modelo FLX que es silencioso y mueve un buen caudal de aire. El modelo ULN es el más silencioso de los analizados, es inaudible aunque su caudal no es excesivamente alto pero suficiente para refrigerar nuestra torre. El modelo PWM es silencioso eso si, a máximas revoluciones empieza a sonar algo más, moviendo un gran caudal de aire. De la serie NF-A15 el modelo PWM es el que más caudal mueve de los cuatro modelos analizados, a máximas rpm ya suena algo pero es normal debido al gran flujo de aire que genera. Concluimos que son ventiladores muy similares, cuyas diferencias son la velocidad de rotación. El modelo ULN está especialmente diseñado como ventilador auxiliar por su baja sonoridad. El modelo NF-A14 FLX destaca por ser silencioso y tener un buen rendimiento, pudiendo regularle las rpm mediante los adaptadores que incluye. El modelo NF-A14 PWM destaca por ofrecer un gran rendimiento regulando las rpm forma automática. Y el modelo NF-A15 PWN que tiene la particularidad de que dispone agujeros de montaje de 120mm, destacando su gran caudal de aire y sonoridad.
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Test verdict: "No hace falta decir nada más, que hemos analizados unos grandes ventiladores muy versátiles, silenciosos y con un gran rendimiento, así que no podemos dejar de recomendarlos." (Jose Maria Martinez Perdigones, ActualidadHardware.com)
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NF-A15 PWM Review
Comme d'habitude chez Noctua les nuisances sonores sont très basses, ils sont tous inaudibles à 5v et se font entendre à 12v, à part pour le ULN qui lui reste quasiment inaudible même à fond! Les ventilateurs produisent tous un son grave (comme tous ceux de la marque) qui n'est pas gênant et les moteurs sont dépourvus de bruits parasites, un très bon point.
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Test verdict: "Nous voici arrivé au terme de ce test, que dire de ces Noctua NF-A14 ? On voit bien qu'ils sont de la même famille que les NF-S12A et continuent dans l'excellence, que ce soit au niveau des performances que dans le bundle en passant par un SAV au top et 6 ans de garantie. Vous ne pouvez pas vous tromper en optant pour un de ces ventilateurs" (Christian Marchini, Conseil Config)
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NF-A15 PWM Review
Noctua has devoted itself to quiet cooling. In that they have succeeded well. One measure of their insistence on quietness was their not bringing PWM products to market until they were ready to do it the Noctua way. “Fans” of Noctua’s fans long wrote about how they wanted PWM versions, yet there were no PWM fans from Noctua. But it turned out that Noctua was not ignoring PWM; their engineers were working on developing a silent PWM control. The clicking seen in other PWM fans – even quiet clicking – is completely absent in Noctua PWM fans. This started with their NF-F12’s, and has now extended to their A series. All are clickless. As well as can be measured in a non-professional setup, Noctua’s airflow specifications are accurate. You can listen to a fan and hear if it is quiet or not, and whether it makes unpleasant noises (Noctua fans are free of unpleasant noises). But airflow is another matter. Airflow takes special instruments to measure. It is comforting to know Noctua’s specifications on this are accurate; so you can use those specifications in your buying decisions.
The various Low Noise Adapters and Ultra Low Noise Adapters are different for each of the fans. Clearly, they are tailored to achieve particular results. This may or may not be unique to Noctua fans. Interestingly, Noctua says nothing about it. The Noctua accessories are of good quality, and appear likely to last in extended usage. They are all handsomely sleeved as well. The fan frames are sturdy, and the corner cushions do not extend into the screw holes. That means the fans can be securely fastened with or without the cushions.
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Test verdict: "Overall, the Noctua A series is a fine set of fans. Careful attention to airflow and acoustics, along with the best PWM circuits in existence, make these superb fans." (Ed Hume, Vortez.net)
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NF-A15 PWM Review
Keep in mind that while the test results aren't overwhelmingly spectacular, consumers are offered more options depending on what they're looking for. The Noctua NF-P14 was a "convertible" fan. It had 120mm hole spacings with 140mm extensions with a round frame, so it could fit 120mm or 140mm mounts However, like a real convertible with the top down, it's a bit louder. Round framed fans in general perform much better on air cooling radiators, but square framed fans in general perform better on watercooling radiators. Thus, you now have the option to choose between a variety of 140mm (and 150mm) fans from Noctua. Whether you're looking for the most optimal silent solution with the NF-A14 ULN, or a quieter replacement to the NF-P14 with the NF-A14 FLX that still does a great job with the U.L.N.A. adapter. The NF-P14 is still a solid performer and the NF-A15 PWM is a great replacement for 120mm fans where size isn't a factor. Decisions, decisions!
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Test verdict: "One of my favorite things about Noctua is how quiet its fans are without sacrificing thermal performance. Noctua pushes the boundaries of continually making improvements in all aspects of its products, and the latest from Noctua doesn't disappoint.
Comparing these fans to their predecessor, the Noctua NF-P14, it's easy to notice the differences in design, and I could definitely hear less vortex noise!" (Ebon Kim, Overclockers Club)
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NF-A15 PWM Review
Noctua's NF A-15 PWW, A-14 FLX, and the A14 ULN are a welcome addition to their lineup of cooling products.
The NF-A15 PWM and the NF-A14 FLX run at 1200rpm when not equipped with the low noise adapters. This of course improves their overall performance at the cost of increased noise output from the fans. I am not saying they generate a lot of noise - as a matter of fact even at their maximum rotational speeds the fans are are extremely quiet, almost to the point that I continued to check just to make sure they actually were in operation. The NF-A14 ULN without a doubt generates the least amount of noise with or without the low noise adapter. [...] Noctua's NF-A15 PWM, NF-A14 FLX, and the NF-A14 ULN are priced around $24.00 each; a reasonable price considering the quality and performance of the fans (not to mention a 6 year warranty). In my book, that's a lot of bang for the buck.
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Test verdict: "Noctua's NF A15 PWM, A-14 FLX, and the A-14 ULN did an excellent job of keeping our testbed cool given the fact they are not high RPM fans. [...] [T]hese fans would make a great addition to either an HTPC or gaming PC for those who like quiet." (Roger Cantwell, Neoseeker.com)
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NF-A15 PWM Review
Results were more mixed with the NF-A15 PWM, but that is due to the environment in which it is used rather than the fan itself. The NF-A15 PWM had excellent airflow, and did exactly what it was portrayed as being capable of. It did seem slightly louder (or perhaps just a more noticeable tone) than the NF-A14 FLX, but it was still a very quiet fan. On the more open finned Mugen 3, the NF-A15 had an nice performance increase over the stock fan, while dropping noise levels noticeably. On the more densely finned and differently shaped TC12DX, the NF-A15 did very well, but did not deliver as noticeable a performance difference. The degree of the gains from the NF-A15 are going to vary from cooler to cooler, but in almost any possible case, you can be assured that there will be at least some gain. Noctua has again put out a series of absolutely top notch fans with the NF-A 140mm varieties. The versatility of the offerings should offer up something for the needs of just about any situation, ranging from extreme cooling to extreme silence. As always, Noctua’s build quality is second to none with performance to match.
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Test verdict: "The Noctua name has become synonymous with quiet cooling and extreme performance. Many of their products are rightfully legendary in enthusiast circles, and deservedly so. Over the years, Noctua has set a very high standard for themselves to live up to, and the NF-A Series fans do not disappoint in any way. The three configurations are very well thought out, and add a great deal of versatility to the line." (George Cella, HiTechLegion.com)
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NF-A15 PWM Review
Questa nuova serie, che verrà analizzata in modo superficiale in questo capitolo, rappresenta la volontà di Noctua di potenziare e consolidare la propria situazione nel panorama delle ventole aventi un diametro molto elevato, infatti a seguito dell’immissione in commercio di questi modelli si è raggiunto il completamento dell’offerta per ogni settore. La serie ULN e FLX da 140mm si caratterizza per il nuovo telaio AAO introdotto con l’eccellente ventola da 120mm NF-F12 Focused Flow, recensita da noi tempo fa (Qui), e per il cambiamento del formato da circolare a quadrato, oltre a tutta la nuova serie di migliorie tecniche e strutturali che sono già state menzionate nel capitolo precedente. L’intera serie “A” infatti presenta quasi sempre le medesime caratteristiche tecniche, indipendentemente da modello e dal diametro, per cui la qualità complessiva è sempre molto elevata.
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Test verdict: "Oltre a questo troviamo le Noctua A15 e A14, che occupano posizioni basse, ma che però presentano una rumorosità davvero irrisoria se rapportata alle altre, e quindi un comfort acustico invidiabile. Il modello A14 FLX, sebbene occupi l’ultima posizione, troviamo che sia il migliore di tutti per quanto riguarda il rapporto Temperature / dBA" (Matteo Trinca, XtremeHardware.it)
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NF-A15 PWM Review
So in short, what can I say… The NF-A15 and NF-A14 cooling fans are proper Noctua quality with added new innovations. With every new design they unveil, Noctua brings out great airflow with minimal noise and are extremely reliable (I still use 5 year old Noctua fans). They are a bit more expensive than typical case fans but are worth every penny.
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Test verdict: "Would I buy these if I needed more? In a heartbeat. They are by far the best fans I ever had in my hands, and they have a six-year warranty to boot! I even replaced some older Noctua fans I still had. Don’t worry the older fans now spin in my friend’s case who needed some extra fans." (Daniel Pielage, OCmodshop.com)
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You can either buy from our local sales partners or directly from us via our official Amazon and eBay stores:
Installation Manual (PDF)
Information Sheet (PDF)
FAQs
Can I use the NF-A15 fan on my Noctua CPU cooler?
The supplied y-cable is missing a wire at one of the two connectors, is it faulty?
Can I use Low-Noise Adaptors with y-cables / multiple fans?
I get a CPU fan error despite the fan is running!
I get a CPU fan error using my Noctua PWM fan, is it faulty?
My Noctua PWM fan starts to spin when the PC boots but then stops, what is wrong?
My Noctua PWM fan runs at a much higher minimum speed than advertised, what is wrong?
I'm experiencing fan speed issues with my motherboard from Supermicro, what can I do?
How much torque should be used for fan screws?
Can I use Noctua fans in my system from Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo or other major brands?
Can I paint my Noctua fan in order to change its color?
How can I find out the direction of airflow and sense of rotation?
Can I disassemble my fan for cleaning (or other purposes, e.g. painting)?
Can I run 4-pin PWM fans on 3-pin fan headers?
What pin configuration do Noctua 12V fans use?
How should I clean my Noctua fan?
How can I check if my 4-pin fan header supports PWM?
Which Noctua fan or CPU cooler should I buy? How to choose the right model?
Can I use the NF-A15 fan on my Noctua CPU cooler?
The NF-A15 is fully compatible with the NH-U12P, NH-C12P and NH-C12P SE14. On the NH-D14 and NH-C14, the NF-A15 fan can only be installed using optional fan clips. For this, please contact our customer service.
Where can I find a technical documentation and specifications of the PWM speed control system of Noctua’s fans?
While using PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) based fan speed control in PC environments is usually straightforward and does not require any background knowledge, it can be vital when it comes to controlling fans via PWM in other environments. Please refer to our specification white paper for a detailed technical documentation of the PWM speed control features of Noctua’s 4-pin PWM fans. Detailing aspects such as connector types, pin configuration or RPM speed signal output as well as signal specifications and circuit design questions, it enables engineers to implement PWM based speed control for Noctua fans in custom circuit designs and applications.
The supplied y-cable is missing a wire at one of the two connectors, is it faulty?
No. As mainboards can process only one rpm-signal per fan header, it would cause problems if the cable transmitted rpm-signals of both fans. For this reason, one of the two connectors does not have an rpm wire and only the fan on the other connector will transmit an rpm signal. Automatic speed control of both fans will work independently from the second fan’s rpm signal.
Can I use Low-Noise Adaptors with y-cables / multiple fans?
Yes, Low-Noise Adaptors (L.N.A.s) can be used with y-cables, but please make sure to use one L.N.A. per fan and to place the L.N.A.s between the y-cable and the fans as shown below. Never use one L.N.A. for two (or more fans) by placing it between the mainboard and the y-cable!
I get a CPU fan error despite the fan is running!
Some mainboards display a CPU fan error when the fan speed falls below a certain threshold, e.g. 900rpm. If you want to run the fan below this speed (e.g. using the supplied U.L.N.A.), please adjust the threshold in the BIOS or disable CPU fan error warning.
I get a CPU fan error using my Noctua PWM fan, is it faulty?
Noctua PWM fans feature a minimum speed of 300rpm to allow for ultra quiet operation when your CPU is at idle state and doesn’t require higher cooling performance. Some mainboards display error messages such as “CPU fan error” during the booting process when the fan speed is below a certain level. If you get such error messages using your Noctua PWM fan and if such options are available in your BIOS, please either adjust the minimum fan speed monitoring limit to 200rpm or increase the minimum PWM duty cycle. If your BIOS doesn’t offer these options, please disable CPU fan errors. For detailed information on BIOS fan settings, please consult your mainoard’s manual or contact your mainboard manufacturer.
My Noctua PWM fan starts to spin when the PC boots but then stops, what is wrong?
Some mainboards feature 4-pin fan headers that actually don‘t use a PWM signal on Pin 4 to control the fan speed but rather reduce the voltage on Pin 2 (like a standard 3-pin fan header). In this case, it may occur that the mainboard reduces the voltage so much that the fan stops. Please refer to your mainboard manual to check whether or not your mainboard has 4-pin fan headers that control the fan speed by reducing voltage on Pin 2 rather than by changing the PWM duty cycle on Pin 4:
Note that mainboard manufacturers use different terms to indicate that Pin 4 is not being used for PWM control (e.g. “+5V”, “VCC” or “NC”), but if one of these terms is used, you can be sure that the fan header does not support PWM. If Pin 4 is described as “Speed Control” or “PWM” or the like, you can be sure that the fan header supports PWM.
Unfortunately, the description of Pin 2 is not always a clear indication as some manufacturers use terms such as “Fan PWR” or “Power” for both types of fan headers. However, if Pin 2 is described as “Speed Control”, you can also be sure that the fan header does not support PWM based speed control. If Pin 2 is described as “+12V”, this is a clear indication that the fan header supports PWM.
Please also note that in some cases, the descriptions of the pin layouts in the mainboard manuals may not be correct and some models actually allow you to switch the fan headers from voltage control mode to PWM control mode in the BIOS even though the pin descriptions do not indicate PWM support. We thus recommend to look for these options in the BIOS before taking other measures. In case of doubt, please contact your mainboard manufacturer.
To resolve the issue, you can:
Choose a higher fan speed profile in the BIOS (e.g. „normal“ instead of „silent“, etc.) or deactivate automatic fan speed control and use a Low-Noise Adaptor instead.
Use the mainboard‘s fan speed control software or 3rd party tools like Speedfan to regulate the fan speed. Unlike BIOS based fan speed control, the supplied software usually checks whether the fan has stopped and increases voltage accordingly or at least offer more options to set up the fan properly.
If your mainboard features other 4-pin fan headers that use PWM for speed control, you can run multiple fans from these headers using Y-split cables. Make sure not to exceed the specified maximum power draw of the fan headers (usually 10-12W) though.
My Noctua PWM fan runs at a much higher minimum speed than advertised, what is wrong?
The specified minimum speed refers to the speed at 20% PWM duty cycle. There can be several reasons why the fan doesn‘t go as low as indicated:
- Many mainboards do not go below 40%, 50% or even 60% PWM duty cycle on case fan headers. Please refer to your mainboard manual to verify whether the fan header actually goes down to 20% duty cycle. If that's not the case, in some cases you can use the fan speed control software supplied with your mainboard to overcome these limitations and reduce the fan speed even further. However, 3rd party tools like SpeedFan offer greater flexibility and better options to work around the limitations imposed by the mainboard vendors.
- Some mainboards feature 4-pin fan headers that actually don‘t use a PWM signal on Pin 4 to control the fan speed but rather reduce the voltage on Pin 2 (like a standard 3-pin fan header). As the fan speed at minimum voltage is usually higher than the speed at 20% PWM duty cycle, the fan can not reach as low minimum speeds under voltage control as under PWM control. Please refer to your mainboard manual to check whether or not your mainboard has 4-pin fan headers that control the fan speed by reducing voltage on Pin 2 rather than by changing the PWM duty cycle on Pin 4:
Note that mainboard manufacturers use different terms to indicate that Pin 4 is not being used for PWM control (e.g. “+5V”, “VCC” or “NC”), but if one of these terms is used, you can be sure that the fan header does not support PWM. If Pin 4 is described as “Speed Control” or “PWM” or the like, you can be sure that the fan header supports PWM.
Unfortunately, the description of Pin 2 is not always a clear indication as some manufacturers use terms such as “Fan PWR” or “Power” for both types of fan headers. However, if Pin 2 is described as “Speed Control”, you can also be sure that the fan header does not support PWM based speed control. If Pin 2 is described as “+12V”, this is a clear indication that the fan header supports PWM.
Please also note that in some cases, the descriptions of the pin layouts in the mainboard manuals may not be correct and some models actually allow you to switch the fan headers from voltage control mode to PWM control mode in the BIOS even though the pin descriptions do not indicate PWM support. We thus recommend to look for these options in the BIOS before taking other measures. In case of doubt, please contact your mainboard manufacturer.
If your mainboard features other 4-pin fan headers that use PWM for speed control, you can run multiple fans from these headers using Y-split cables. Make sure not to exceed the specified maximum power draw of the fan headers (usually 10-12W) though.
I'm experiencing fan speed issues with my motherboard from Supermicro, what can I do?
The BIOS of many motherboard models from Supermicro expects a certain minimum fan speed (usually 600 or 700rpm), which is higher than the minimum fan speed that can be achieved with Noctua's PWM fan models. The BIOS may interpret the low minimum RPM of Noctua fans as a fan error and thus try to run the fan at 100% for a short period before going back to automatic control. This can result in oscillating fan speeds and fan speed warnings in the BIOS or the fan management console.
Unfortunately there is usually no option to set a lower minimum value in the BIOS that would suit the low minimum speed of Noctua PWM fans. The issue can thus only be resolved by either disabling automatic fan speed control in BIOS, which will cause the fans to run at a constant speed, by using 3rd party tools like IPMItool or IPMIutil, or by requesting a modified BIOS file from Supermicro, which takes the minimum fan speed of Noctua fans into account (charges might apply). Please note that any modifications performed with 3rd party tools are done at your own risk and that Noctua can not be held responsible for any possible issues.
How much torque should be used for fan screws?
Please use 0.6Nm to tighten fan screws. Make sure not to overtighten the screws as this may damage the fan frame.
Can I use Noctua fans in my system from Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo or other major brands?
Noctua 12V fans comply with the established specifications for standard PC systems issued by Intel and AMD. Systems from Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo or other major brands often deviate from these specifications e.g. by using proprietary fan headers, custom pin-alignments or pin-configurations, different methods of fan speed control, etc. This can lead to compatibility issues when using Noctua fans in systems from said brands. Some of these problems can be avoided with some technical knowledge, but especially BIOS related issues (e.g. errors or shutdowns due to low fan speed) can often not be resolved. As a result, Noctua does not officially support systems from Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo or other major brands.
Does the NF-A15 PWM that comes with Noctua coolers run at a different speed (1500rpm) than the retail model (1200rpm)?
Yes, the NF-A15 PWM bundled with our heatsinks is specified to run at 1500rpm (see cooler specifications for details) and the retail model is specified to run at 1200rpm (see fan specifications for details). The 1200rpm retail model is ideal for setting up push/pull configurations in combination with the coolers’ 1500rpm stock fan because the combination of the 1500 and 1200rpm models provides a better balance of performance and noise than the combination of two 1500rpm versions. On dual-tower coolers such as the NH-D15S, we recommend to run the 1500rpm version in the center and the 1200rpm version on the front. On single-tower coolers such as the NH-U14S, we recommend to run the 1500rpm version on the front and the 1200rpm version on the back of the cooler. The NA-YC1 y-cable supplied with the retail fan can be used in order to control both fans via one PWM fan header. In this case, both fans will scale individually according to the PWM duty cycle supplied by the motherboard, e.g. they will run at ~1500/1200 respectively at 100% duty cycle, ~750/600rpm at 50% duty cycle, etc. Both at 100% and lower speeds, the speed difference between the fans reduces resonance phenomena and thus helps to achieve the best balance of performance and noise.
Can I paint my Noctua fan in order to change its color?
Since even small variations in the layer of paint can lead to an imbalance of the impeller, resulting in vibrations, higher noise levels, increased stress on the bearing and thus reduced lifespan, we do not recommend painting the fan. Please note that for the reasons stated above, painting the fan will void your warranty.
How can I find out the direction of airflow and sense of rotation?
When looking at the fan so that the circular sticker with the Noctua logo is facing you, the direction of airflow is towards you and the sense of rotation is clockwise:
Can I disassemble my fan for cleaning (or other purposes, e.g. painting)?
In order to ensure flawless operation over many years of usage, all Noctua fans come with a premium grade SSO bearing, which is fully sealed to prevent the entering of fine dust particles. Please note that the fan is not designed to be taken apart by the user. Removing the impeller from the frame will break the sealing of the bearing and results in a loss of warranty.
It is thus recommended to clean your fans using a duster, slightly moist tissue or canned air. Please be careful not to use too much force in order to prevent any damage to the fan. Please don’t use a vacuum cleaner as this may apply excessive force to the fan.
It is thus recommended to clean your fans using a duster, slightly moist tissue or canned air. Please be careful not to use too much force in order to prevent any damage to the fan. Please don’t use a vacuum cleaner as this may apply excessive force to the fan.
Can I run 4-pin PWM fans on 3-pin fan headers?
PWM fans come with a 4-pin connectors for fully automatic speed control via your mainboard’s 4-pin PWM fan headers. Please note that 4-pin fans can also be connected to your mainboard’s 3-pin fan headers though. When connected to 3-pin fan headers, the fan will run at full speed (unless the mainboard supports voltage based speed control).
What pin configuration do Noctua 12V fans use?
All Noctua fans feature the standard pin-configurations set out in the Intel and AMD specifications. These standard pin-configurations are used on most mainboards and fan controllers today:
How should I clean my Noctua fan?
Fans inside computer cases tend to accumulate dust over longer periods of usage. In order to maintain maximum performance, please clean your fans regularly using a duster, slightly moist tissue or canned air. Please be careful not to use too much force in order to prevent any damage to the fan. Please do not use a vacuum cleaner as this may apply excessive force to the fan and do not put the fan under running water as water residues inside the motor may lead to short circuits.
In order to ensure flawless operation over many years of usage, Noctua’s premium grade SSO bearings are fully sealed to prevent the entering of fine dust particles. Please note that the fan is not designed to be taken apart by the user. Removing the impeller from the frame will break the sealing of the bearing and results in a loss of warranty.
In order to ensure flawless operation over many years of usage, Noctua’s premium grade SSO bearings are fully sealed to prevent the entering of fine dust particles. Please note that the fan is not designed to be taken apart by the user. Removing the impeller from the frame will break the sealing of the bearing and results in a loss of warranty.
How can I check if my 4-pin fan header supports PWM?
Some mainboards feature 4-pin fan headers that actually don‘t use a PWM signal on Pin 4 to control the fan speed but rather reduce the voltage on Pin 2 (like a standard 3-pin fan header). As the fan speed at minimum voltage is usually higher than the speed at 20% PWM duty cycle, the fan can not reach as low minimum speeds under voltage control as under PWM control. Please refer to your mainboard manual to check whether or not your mainboard has 4-pin fan headers that control the fan speed by reducing voltage on Pin 2 rather than by changing the PWM duty cycle on Pin 4:
Note that mainboard manufacturers use different terms to indicate that Pin 4 is not being used for PWM control (e.g. “+5V”, “VCC” or “NC”), but if one of these terms is used, you can be sure that the fan header does not support PWM. If Pin 4 is described as “Speed Control” or “PWM” or the like, you can be sure that the fan header supports PWM.
Unfortunately, the description of Pin 2 is not always a clear indication as some manufacturers use terms such as “Fan PWR” or “Power” for both types of fan headers. However, if Pin 2 is described as “Speed Control”, you can also be sure that the fan header does not support PWM based speed control. If Pin 2 is described as “+12V”, this is a clear indication that the fan header supports PWM.
Please also note that in some cases, the descriptions of the pin layouts in the mainboard manuals may not be correct and some models actually allow you to switch the fan headers from voltage control mode to PWM control mode in the BIOS even though the pin descriptions do not indicate PWM support. We thus recommend to look for these options in the BIOS before taking other measures. In case of doubt, please contact your mainboard manufacturer.
If your mainboard features other 4-pin fan headers that use PWM for speed control, you can run multiple fans from these headers using Y-split cables. Make sure not to exceed the specified maximum power draw of the fan headers (usually 10-12W) though.
Note that mainboard manufacturers use different terms to indicate that Pin 4 is not being used for PWM control (e.g. “+5V”, “VCC” or “NC”), but if one of these terms is used, you can be sure that the fan header does not support PWM. If Pin 4 is described as “Speed Control” or “PWM” or the like, you can be sure that the fan header supports PWM.
Unfortunately, the description of Pin 2 is not always a clear indication as some manufacturers use terms such as “Fan PWR” or “Power” for both types of fan headers. However, if Pin 2 is described as “Speed Control”, you can also be sure that the fan header does not support PWM based speed control. If Pin 2 is described as “+12V”, this is a clear indication that the fan header supports PWM.
Please also note that in some cases, the descriptions of the pin layouts in the mainboard manuals may not be correct and some models actually allow you to switch the fan headers from voltage control mode to PWM control mode in the BIOS even though the pin descriptions do not indicate PWM support. We thus recommend to look for these options in the BIOS before taking other measures. In case of doubt, please contact your mainboard manufacturer.
If your mainboard features other 4-pin fan headers that use PWM for speed control, you can run multiple fans from these headers using Y-split cables. Make sure not to exceed the specified maximum power draw of the fan headers (usually 10-12W) though.
Which Noctua fan or CPU cooler should I buy? How to choose the right model?
Not sure which Noctua product to buy? Our detailed buying guides for fans and CPU coolers help you to choose the model that works best for you.
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