• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

Noctua Introduces the NF-S12A 120 mm Fan

Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Messages
4,784 (1.00/day)
Location
Still on the East Side
Noctua today presented the new, third generation of its signature S12 series quiet case fans, which have received more than 250 awards and recommendations from the international press. Featuring a further refined blade design with Anti-Stall Knobs that works in tandem with the new AAO (Advanced Acoustic Optimisation) frame, the NF-S12A improves the airflow/noise efficiency of its renowned predecessor by up to 8%.

"Introduced in 2006, the original NF-S12 became a cornerstone of our reputation as one of the leading manufacturers of premium quality quiet fans. The second generation NF-S12B, introduced in 2009, continued this tradition with an even better airflow to noise ratio, making it one of our most popular models of all time", says Mag. Roland Mossig, Noctua CEO. "We've been working on the next generation for about three years and now we're thrilled to be able to present a worthy successor with the new NF-S12A: The new Anti-Stall Knobs and our AAO type frame allowed us to squeeze out another 8% in airflow to noise efficiency!"





The NF-S12A's novel Anti-Stall Knobs reduce flow separation phenomena in medium to high impedance situations and thereby increase the fan's stall margin. This means that the NF-S12A is even more versatile than its renowned predecessor and can achieve better performance on heatsinks and radiators. 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.

Three models will be available upon launch: While the NF-S12A FLX version provides 1200/900/700 rpm speed settings via the supplied Low-Noise Adaptors in order to give you full flexibility in fine-tuning the fan for maximum ventilation performance or near-silent operation, the NF-S12A ULN version provides super-slow 800/600 rpm speed settings for ultra-low-noise applications and highly noise-sensitive users. The NF-S12A PWM 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 1200 to 900 rpm.

All three models employ the further optimised second generation of Noctua's renowned, time-tested SSO bearing and use CNC milled brass bearing shells in order to guarantee the highest possible degree of manufacturing precision, minimum tolerance and excellent long-term stability. Like all Noctua fans, the NF-S12A models have an MTBF rating of more than 150.000 hours and come with a full 6 years manufacturer's warranty.

Pricing and availability
The new NF-S12A fans will be available immediately at recommended retail prices of EUR 19.90 / USD 21.90.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site
 
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
5,484 (1.04/day)
I love notcua's fans, but for the love of everything that is holy and unholy....
Make like.. idk.. extreme series or something that will carry other color schemes.
I get the diarrhea brown and skin-gut one, sure, it match your logo and all.

Yes, I'm bringing it up again.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Messages
13,791 (1.87/day)
If they'd only use some other color scheme and not this blood stained diarrhea colored mess.

Is it so hard to use black frame and dark red blades? Or black and transparent blades? Or black frame and white blades? Or entire black or entire transparent? If they want an unique color, black and dark red or dark red and white would be great as no one is using it, yet its still nice.
 
Joined
Jan 28, 2009
Messages
345 (0.06/day)
System Name Harley
Processor Intel core i7 3820
Motherboard ASRock Extreme6 X79
Cooling NZXT Kraken X60
Memory Geil Enhance Corsa DDR3 1600+ 16GB
Video Card(s) EVGA SuperClocked GTX Titan
Storage OCZ Vertex4 128GB SSD / Toshiba 7200 2TB HDD
Display(s) Crossover 30" 2560x1600
Case CoolerMaster HAF XB - Custom Modded
Audio Device(s) n/a
Power Supply CoolerMaster Silent Pro Hybrid 1300w
Software Win7 64
I dont care how good they are, too ugly, even if they would never be seen.
It's like buying a pair of boxers with skid mark designs already in it.
 
Joined
Dec 6, 2012
Messages
173 (0.04/day)
Processor 4GHz intel i7 950
Motherboard GA X58-USB3 F5
Cooling Noctua C12P
Memory 48GB G.Skill RipjawsZ
Video Card(s) EVGA GTX 480 873/1746/1848
Storage Intel 520 Series
Display(s) HP 2210m
Case Antec 300
Power Supply Antec True Power New 750
Software Windows 8 Pro
I run all Noctua fans, even in my 5 in 3 hotswaps have R8. But I never recommend Noctua to friends or for customer builds, haha, too expensive for their taste.

The brown is at least better than the reddish colour, no idea why some fans are brown others are red.

But seriously, if you don't like the colour don't buy it, you have plenty of alternatives, it's not like there are only 2 or 3 vendors. The colour works well in non flashy builds where colour matching isn't required because at first glance you know that it's good and expensive from just seeing the colour. If you do want to colour coordinate, Corsair C70, Sabertooth, Noctua fans :D
 

Fx

Joined
Oct 31, 2008
Messages
1,332 (0.23/day)
Location
Portland, OR
Processor Ryzen 2600x
Motherboard ASUS ROG Strix X470-F Gaming
Cooling Noctua
Memory G.SKILL Flare X Series 16GB DDR4 3466
Video Card(s) EVGA 980ti FTW
Storage (OS)Samsung 950 Pro (512GB), (Data) WD Reds
Display(s) 24" Dell UltraSharp U2412M
Case Fractal Design Define R5
Audio Device(s) Sennheiser GAME ONE
Power Supply EVGA SuperNOVA 650 P2
Mouse Mionix Castor
Keyboard Deck Hassium Pro
Software Windows 10 Pro x64
I love Noctua fans, and they are all I build my PCs with. My rigs don't have side windows so I could care less what it looks like in there.

Performance > Looks
 
Joined
May 20, 2012
Messages
182 (0.04/day)
Location
Slovenia
Why do they need to change the scheme? It's awesome if you ask me! You people should think outside the box, not Noctua!
 
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
5,484 (1.04/day)
You are totally right. We should sleeve all our cables, get a matching motherboard and a power supply.
Good thinking :)
 
Joined
May 20, 2012
Messages
182 (0.04/day)
Location
Slovenia
Well, if you're buying premium fans, you SHOULD build a proper, premium system...
Or, you can just continue to complain over the color of the fan...
If you ask me, Noctua deserves all the respect! Complaining won't change a thing...
Work with it =]
 
Joined
Aug 1, 2009
Messages
962 (0.17/day)
Location
Currently somewhere around NSW, Australia
System Name hmmm... / lappy (ASUS Scar III)
Processor Intel Core i7-8086K / Intel Core i7-9750H
Motherboard ASUS Maximus XI Formula / ASUS G531GW
Cooling Noctua NH-D15s w/ 2 x Noctua NF-F12 PWM Chromax and 1 x Noctua NF-A15 HS-PWM Chromax Fans / Stock
Memory 4x16gb G.Skill Trident Z DDR4 3600mhz / 2x16gb Kingston Hyper X Impact DDR4 2666mhz C15
Video Card(s) 2 x EVGA GTX 1080 TI FTW3 / Nvidia RTX 2070 8gb
Storage 2 x Samsung 960 EVO Plus 1tb NVME/ 1tb Intel SSDPEKNW010T8 NVME + 2tb Samsung 860 EVO SSD
Display(s) Acer Predator X34P / ASUS 15.6" Screen
Case Fractal Design Meshify S2 White-TG + Noctua Chromax Fans / ASUS Scar III Case
Audio Device(s) Onboard + Logitech Z623 / Onboard
Power Supply Seasonic Prime Ultra Titanium 1000W + PROLINK PRO903WS / ASUS ADP-230GB B Power Brick
Mouse Corsair Vengeance M65 PRO RGB / Logitech MX Anywhere 2S
Keyboard Corsair K70 LUX RGB / ASUS Scar III Keyboard
Software Windows 10 Professional x64 / Windows 10 Professional x64
Why do they need to change the scheme? It's awesome if you ask me! You people should think outside the box, not Noctua!

My opinion is the other way around. If Noctua wants to sell more of their fans, they should start thinking around the box and offer them in other colors. I would really like to buy some of their fans as I've been reading very good things about them but I really don't like the color. I had a choice between Scythe GTs and the Noctua NF-F12 and I went for the GTs because of the color. :)
 
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
225 (0.04/day)
Processor Phenom II X4 965 BE @4 GHz | NB @2600 MHz
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-990XA-UD3
Cooling Noctua NH-D14
Memory 2x 8GB PC12800 @1600 MHz CL7 1T
Video Card(s) Gigabyte HD 7950
Storage 2 x 500 GB -- HD502HJ & WD5000AACS-00ZUB0
Display(s) Iiyama Prolite E2202WS_WVS
Case Corsair Obsidian 550D
Audio Device(s) Asus Xonar D2 w/ Z-5500
Power Supply Seasonic X-750
Mouse Logitech B100
Keyboard Logitech G15 (blue backlight)
Software Windows 7 - SP1 x64
I love notcua's fans, but for the love of everything that is holy and unholy....
Make like.. idk.. extreme series or something that will carry other color schemes.
I get the diarrhea brown and skin-gut one, sure, it match your logo and all.

Yes, I'm bringing it up again.

Alright man, let's bring this conversation — if we can even call it that — to a whole new level: I can't buy black and white stuff 'cause they remind me of gecko poop.

Seriously now... If everything brown reminds you of poop, you've got serious mental issues. Noctua aren't the only player on the market. No one's forcing you to buy their stuff.
 
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
3,539 (0.68/day)
Location
Netherlands
System Name ap201 | Odroid N2+ | NUC
Processor AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Amlogic S922X | Intel Core i5-7260
Motherboard Gigabyte B550M DS3H |Odroid N2+ | NUC Board 7
Cooling Inter-Tech Argus SU-200, 3x Arctic P12 case fans | stock heatsink + fan | stock HSF
Memory Gskill Aegis DDR4 32GB | 4 GB DDR4 | 16 GB DDR4
Video Card(s) Sapphire Pulse RX 6600 (8GB) | Arm Mali G52 | Iris Plus 640
Storage SK Hynix 240GB, Sam. 840 + 850 EVO (2x (250 GB)| Samsung 850 Evo 500GB | WD Green 240 GB
Display(s) AOC G2260VWQ6 | LG 24MT57D |
Case Asus Prime 201 | Stock case (black version) | Stock case
Audio Device(s) integrated
Power Supply BeQuiet! Pure Power 11 400W | 12v barrel jack | 19V laptop brick (Asus)
Mouse Logitech G500 |Steelseries Rival 300 | no-name ergo mouse
Keyboard Qpad MK-50 (Cherry MX brown)| Blaze Keyboard
Software Windows 10, EndeavourOS | Gentoo Linux | EndeavourOS
I love notcua's fans, but for the love of everything that is holy and unholy....
Make like.. idk.. extreme series or something that will carry other color schemes.
I get the diarrhea brown and skin-gut one, sure, it match your logo and all.

Yes, I'm bringing it up again.

If they'd only use some other color scheme and not this blood stained diarrhea colored mess.

Is it so hard to use black frame and dark red blades? Or black and transparent blades? Or black frame and white blades? Or entire black or entire transparent? If they want an unique color, black and dark red or dark red and white would be great as no one is using it, yet its still nice.



Similar price range, at least as good and not brown.

Alright man, let's bring this conversation — if we can even call it that — to a whole new level: I can't buy black and white stuff 'cause they remind me of gecko poop.

Seriously now... If everything brown reminds you of poop, you've got serious mental issues. Noctua aren't the only player on the market. No one's forcing you to buy their stuff.

I agree completely.
 
Joined
Dec 6, 2012
Messages
173 (0.04/day)
Processor 4GHz intel i7 950
Motherboard GA X58-USB3 F5
Cooling Noctua C12P
Memory 48GB G.Skill RipjawsZ
Video Card(s) EVGA GTX 480 873/1746/1848
Storage Intel 520 Series
Display(s) HP 2210m
Case Antec 300
Power Supply Antec True Power New 750
Software Windows 8 Pro
If you don't like the, peachy/brown theme, how about dark grey and lime?

P12
http://www.coolink-europe.com/en/categories/23_29.html

They used to be clear/blue. (the silicon mounts blue etc) and cost half as much.

If you have no idea what I am on about, Coolink manufacture and are 'joint parent' of Noctua. They share the same technology between products.

Even Coolink CPU coolers use identical Noctua mounts, with the same SecuFirm 2 branding. Some of their heatsinks are also identical except for the stamping of the company name on the fins (identical products to the U12 and the U6, possibly others).
 
Last edited:
Joined
Jan 5, 2013
Messages
895 (0.20/day)
Noctua fans are OK but their airflow volume and static pressure is pretty low making them OK for case fans but not good for heatsink fans. The low rpm model fans tend to have low static pressure which means low airflow thru a heatsink or radiator. It's always nice to see some new tech in PC fans to lower noise and increase cooling performance. It's funny how the color scheme is a big issue for some folks. :)
 

MeanBruce

New Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2010
Messages
151 (0.03/day)
System Name Maximus Obsidious "Max"
Processor Intel 3770K 4.5GHz 1.205volts Delta T=2.5C at idle
Motherboard Asus Maximus V Extreme
Cooling H100i Sanyo-Denki SanAce Type 9S 120(x6) at 750rpm
Memory Corsair Dominator GT 2133Mhz 2X4GB w/extended heat sink fins red
Video Card(s) Asus 6870 DirectCU (Asus 9970 Direct CU2 Coming Soon)
Storage Intel 520 120GB(x2) RAID0 Array 1.1GB/s read/write
Display(s) Samsung 970D (Coming Soon)
Case CaseLabs Magnum M8 w/XL window front I/O USB 3.0(x4) Lamptron FC10 nixie tube fan controller stock f
Power Supply Corsair Platinum AX860 (Seasonic) w/Corsair GEN2 AXi cables red
Software Windows 8 Pro 64-bit $39.99 download :):)
Ummm, there are some fans that outperform the Noctua NF-F12s and also come in a nice black color.:)

They move more cold air than the NF-F12s at every rpm.

I have 4 NF-F12s, they go inaudible at 800rpm and lower.

These fans go inaudible at 1000rpm and lower.

The fan out front in this photo is the brand that is so amazing:



These:



They arrive unfinished, just bare spliced wires. I took some nylon parachute cord, pulled the stuffing out, and used the outer skin as sleeving:



The Sanyo-Denki SanAce S-Type Silent fans, same fans Corsair and Seasonic use in their PSUs:



They are available in 4 different Amperages and rated Max RPMs, this chart lists 3 of them.

 
Last edited:
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Messages
13,791 (1.87/day)
I was testing Noctua fans once and they had this annoying interval buzzing noise which was really annoying. Thats why i still keep on insisting with Noiseblocker fans. Granted they are also expensive, but they look way better and don't make crappy buzzing noises.
 
Joined
Dec 6, 2012
Messages
173 (0.04/day)
Processor 4GHz intel i7 950
Motherboard GA X58-USB3 F5
Cooling Noctua C12P
Memory 48GB G.Skill RipjawsZ
Video Card(s) EVGA GTX 480 873/1746/1848
Storage Intel 520 Series
Display(s) HP 2210m
Case Antec 300
Power Supply Antec True Power New 750
Software Windows 8 Pro
One thing that's amazing however is how little power Noctua fans use vs other fans, often 3-4x less power <:

RejZoR: Interval buzzing? In my usage span I've used 4+ R8-1800, 2 B9-1600, 7+ P12-1200, 1 S12-1200, 2 P14 FLX. None of the newer PWM ones sadly, these P12's just won't die and give me a reason to upgrade. But I've never had any buzzing issues? I've had resonating issues like with any branded fan hard mounted to the same surface however. I don't run any above 1000RPM in typical builds however.
 
Joined
Jan 28, 2009
Messages
345 (0.06/day)
System Name Harley
Processor Intel core i7 3820
Motherboard ASRock Extreme6 X79
Cooling NZXT Kraken X60
Memory Geil Enhance Corsa DDR3 1600+ 16GB
Video Card(s) EVGA SuperClocked GTX Titan
Storage OCZ Vertex4 128GB SSD / Toshiba 7200 2TB HDD
Display(s) Crossover 30" 2560x1600
Case CoolerMaster HAF XB - Custom Modded
Audio Device(s) n/a
Power Supply CoolerMaster Silent Pro Hybrid 1300w
Software Win7 64
There is no doubt they are good fans, but there are plenty of other good fans on the market as well, some of those just stick to black, and cost less than these aweful colors here in the OP

Like previously stated, they limit their sales by going with this color pallet.
Yate Loon, Delta, and some others dont waste money trying to make their fans look "different", but they still perform like they should.
 

AsRock

TPU addict
Joined
Jun 23, 2007
Messages
19,111 (2.99/day)
Location
UK\USA
I'll stick with COUGAR just as every bit as good and cheaper.
 
Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
54 (0.01/day)
Processor i9-14900K
Motherboard Asus Z690-I
Cooling Noctua NH-D15
Memory 32GB Corsair Vengeance
Video Card(s) EVGA RTX 3080
Storage Samsung 990 Pro 4TB
Display(s) Iiyama 34"
Power Supply Corsair SFX750
Software Windows 11 24H2
The color is suicidal. :banghead::cry::eek:
An insult and sort of harassment. Is Noctua colorblind or perverted or both? Have two Noctuas, elder generation but black. Although they have this rubber bracket, they make a whining nervekilling buzz in combination with my Corsair H80.
 
Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
10,885 (1.56/day)
Location
Manchester, NH
System Name Senile
Processor I7-4790K@4.8 GHz 24/7
Motherboard MSI Z97-G45 Gaming
Cooling Be Quiet Pure Rock Air
Memory 16GB 4x4 G.Skill CAS9 2133 Sniper
Video Card(s) GIGABYTE Vega 64
Storage Samsung EVO 500GB / 8 Different WDs / QNAP TS-253 8GB NAS with 2x10Tb WD Blue
Display(s) 34" LG 34CB88-P 21:9 Curved UltraWide QHD (3440*1440) *FREE_SYNC*
Case Rosewill
Audio Device(s) Onboard + HD HDMI
Power Supply Corsair HX750
Mouse Logitech G5
Keyboard Corsair Strafe RGB & G610 Orion Red
Software Win 10
Ummm, there are some fans that outperform the Noctua NF-F12s and also come in a nice black color.:)

They move more cold air than the NF-F12s at every rpm.

I have 4 NF-F12s, they go inaudible at 800rpm and lower.

These fans go inaudible at 1000rpm and lower.

The fan out front in this photo is the brand that is so amazing:

http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x358/MeanBruce/IMG_1391_zpsfe6dc355.jpg

These:

http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x358/MeanBruce/IMG_1250_zpsd2a02d4a.jpg

They arrive unfinished, just bare spliced wires. I took some nylon parachute cord, pulled the stuffing out, and used the outer skin as sleeving:

http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x358/MeanBruce/IMG_1419_zps6470a78f.jpg

The Sanyo-Denki SanAce S-Type Silent fans, same fans Corsair and Seasonic use in their PSUs:

http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x358/MeanBruce/IMG_1300_zpsa3821590.jpg

They are available in 4 different Amperages and rated Max RPMs, this chart lists 3 of them.

http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x358/MeanBruce/bcf954d8_sanyo_denki_9s_series_zpsa2ac2411.png

Where do you find those (Sanyo-Denki SanAce S-Type)?
 
Joined
Oct 26, 2011
Messages
3,145 (0.65/day)
Processor 8700k Intel
Motherboard z370 MSI Godlike Gaming
Cooling Triple Aquacomputer AMS Copper 840 with D5
Memory TridentZ RGB G.Skill C16 3600MHz
Video Card(s) GTX 1080 Ti
Storage Crucial MX SSDs
Display(s) Dell U3011 2560x1600 + Dell 2408WFP 1200x1920 (Portrait)
Case Core P5 Thermaltake
Audio Device(s) Essence STX
Power Supply AX 1500i
Mouse Logitech
Keyboard Corsair
Software Win10
I didn't like their colour scheme but then I changed my mind about it and now I love it.

Every single fan I've bought recently is from Noctua, their 140mm NF-A14 FLX are the best 140mm fan I've ever tried (noise/performance ratio).
 
Joined
Aug 10, 2007
Messages
2,150 (0.34/day)
Location
Austin TX
Processor i9 11900k
Motherboard Maximus XII Apex
Cooling Custom Liquid W/ 360x60 Radiator
Memory 32Gb Team XTREEM ARGB 3600 b-die
Video Card(s) Waterblocked MSI RTX 4070
Storage Intel 900p 480Gb + 4tb Intel 670p
Display(s) LG C2 evo 42"
Case Geometric Future Model 8
Audio Device(s) HD58X + Sennheiser GSX 1000
Power Supply Corsair RM 750x
Mouse Steelseries Aerox 5 wired
Keyboard Akko Mod 007b HE
VR HMD Samsung Odyssey+
Software Windows 11
Joined
Mar 26, 2010
Messages
9,910 (1.84/day)
Location
Jakarta, Indonesia
System Name micropage7
Processor Intel Xeon X3470
Motherboard Gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd. P55A-UD3R (Socket 1156)
Cooling Enermax ETS-T40F
Memory Samsung 8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3
Video Card(s) NVIDIA Quadro FX 1800
Storage V-GEN03AS18EU120GB, Seagate 2 x 1TB and Seagate 4TB
Display(s) Samsung 21 inch LCD Wide Screen
Case Icute Super 18
Audio Device(s) Auzentech X-Fi Forte
Power Supply Silverstone 600 Watt
Mouse Logitech G502
Keyboard Sades Excalibur + Taihao keycaps
Software Win 7 64-bit
Benchmark Scores Classified

if they have more blades it may better
 
Top