NF-A14x25(r) G2 performance: improvements for heatsinks, radiators and cases

Noctua’s NF-A14 is renowned as being among the best 140mm fans on the market and has received more than 100 awards and recommendations from the international press. With its further improved efficiency and novel, state-of-the-art engineering, the NF-A14x25 G2 represents another step up in performance.

As can be seen from the following P/Q chart, the NF-A14x25 outperforms its predecessor in the entire spectrum from low-impedance, airflow demanding applications all the way to high-impedance, pressure demanding configurations:

In real world testing, the performance gains of the NF-A14x25 G2 over its predecessor are particularly significant on water cooling radiators. With both fans adjusted to the same on-application noise level on a 140x36mm radiator and a 200W heatload, the NF-A14x25 beats its award-winning predecessor by almost 3°C:

This significant performance advantage of the new NF-A14x25 G2 can also be converted into an acoustic advantage by reducing its RPM speed: Adjusted to provide the same cooling performance as the first generation NF-A14, the new G2 model can run several dB(A) quieter in typical radiator configurations. For example, on the 140x36mm radiator used for testing, the NF-A14x25 G2 could be run at only ~1200rpm matching the performance of the NF-A14 at ~1500rpm, which results in a massive ~11 dB(A) reduction in noise levels. As the following flow versus noise chart shows, the G2 model runs ~7-10 dB(A) quieter whilst providing the same levels of airflow through the radiator:

When comparing the round-frame NF-A14x25r G2 against the round-frame NF-A15 on the NH-U14S heatsink, the G2 version outperforms its predecessor by a significant 2.3°C at a 320W heatload:

Just like on water cooling radiators, these significant performance gains over the previous NF-A14 can be utilised either to achieve lower temperatures or, on the flipside, be used to let the new G2 fan run slower and quieter. When measured on the NH-U14S, the G2 version can provide the same levels of airflow through the heatsink as the first-generation NF-A14 while running ~2-4 dB(A) quieter:

The NF-A14x25 G2 is, however, not only superior in higher impedance applications like heatsinks or water cooling radiators, it also provides superior performance than the original NF-A14 in low impedance applications like PC case cooling. At a flow resistance typical for PC chassis fans, the G2 version produces around 13% more airflow:

As with heatsinks and radiators, the superior case cooling performance of the G2 fan can also be converted into a decisive noise level advantage: In order to achieve the same levels of airflow through a chassis as the first-generation NF-A14, the G2 version can be run at significantly lower RPM speeds, which will result in a typical 2-3 dB(A) improvement in noise levels.

In sum, the NF-A14x25 G2 and NF-A14x25r G2 provide substantial improvements over their predecessors in all applications, enabling customers to either achieve better cooling performance or lower noise levels. The improvements are particularly significant on water cooling radiators where the NF-A14x25 G2 offers a massive boost in efficiency compared to the venerable NF-A14.