Rumor: Noctua to Introduce NH-U12A Tower Cooler in Chromax Version

[Raevenlord]

Noctua produces some of the most well-regarded CPU coolers in the PC space, and for good reason: they usually set the benchmark in both heat dissipation efficiency and noise levels. However, one of the elements that may not make their coolers as popular as they could be (and they are immensely popular) is the color scheme the company usually favors, with its brown and beige colors being relatively hard to fit in with many system builds. The company responded by adding Chromax versions to their lineup, with a more "typical" black color scheme, which have seen great success both in the market and user opinion.

A Reddit user going by the handle hoopon, however, claims to have received a tech support answer from a Noctua representative that said that a Chromax version of the famed, high-performance Noctua NH-U12A cooler is being readied for market launch in Q3 2020. Another user, Bergh3m, echoed these claims, saying that he himself had received a Noctua answer on the same product in the beginning of the year that placed the Noctua NH-U12A Chromax as being released in Q2 or Q3 2020. However, as with everything these days, the COVID-19 situation may very well has pushed the release to a definite Q3. As always, we urge you to take these rumors with a full pint of salt.



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[FreedomEclipse]

Or jump the queue and get a Dark Rock Pro

 

[Daisho11]

Maybe this means they'll start selling a black NF-A12x25 as well.

 

[aktpu]

Maybe this means they'll start selling a black NF-A12x25 as well.

Yes, this summer. https://www.overclock3d.net/news/ca...octua_nf-a12x25_fans_are_coming_this_summer/1

 

[tabascosauz]

@E-curbi !1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!

Now I just need a iPPC A12x25 for the exhaust and I can rid my backup TJ08 build of beige. But they probably aren't going to make an iPPC A12x25, so I guess a F12 will have to do.

 

[Woomack]

I don't know if I can say but there is no NDA or anything for news like that. I was talking with Noctua a while ago and they said that the U12A chromax.black cooler will be released later this year (around Q3). I won't hide that I'm waiting on this cooler as I find it not much worse than the D15 while it's smaller and fits most cases.

 

[SL2]

I won't hide that I'm waiting on this cooler as I find it not much worse than the D15 while it's smaller and fits most cases.

Yeah, its cooling capabilities are impressive compared to D15S and other, larger coolers.
It comes at a cost though because it is noisier. The Dark Rock Pro 4 got measured to 40 dBA, while the U12A was 45 dBA.

 

[BoboOOZ]

Or jump the queue and get a Dark Rock Pro

But it's not the same performance/noise ratio, by a good margin.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

But it's not the same performance/noise ratio, by a good margin.

Switch out the fans

 

[BoboOOZ]

Switch out the fans

The fans are beige

 

[SL2]

But it's not the same performance/noise ratio, by a good margin.

I guess you're not talking about the TPU review.

 

[BoboOOZ]

Haha, have you heard of noise normalized thermal performance?

 

[SL2]

I guess you disapprove of TPU's review, although I don't know why.

 

[BoboOOZ]

Sorry if I've been rude, I thought you were intentionally trolling.
In fact what matters is not the noise at maximum or minimum speed, because that isn't telling you much. In order to obtain a useful comparison, you must check cooling performance at the same noise level, or noise at the same temperature level (you need to normalize either the noise or the temperature). In this respect, the reviews from Gamers Nexus are by far the best available.

But anyway, the post I responded to wasn't promoting a fair comparison, since the dark rock pro has 135mm fans, should be comparing with the D15S.

 

[E-curbi]

@E-curbi !1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!

Now I just need a iPPC A12x25 for the exhaust and I can rid my backup TJ08 build of beige. But they probably aren't going to make an iPPC A12x25, so I guess a F12 will have to do.

I'm also waiting for the A12x25 in black and 140mm iPPC variant, in fact that's the ONLY fan I would consider an actual upgrade from my currently running NF-A14 iPPC 140mm PWM. My upgrade path is quite narrow and limited, probably since already so EXTREMELY satisfied with the current fan - does everything I need and want from a CPU heatsink fan at 720rpms inaudible, and even looks amazing when you swap out the dark brown Industrial stock corner noise absorbing pads for the Chromax jet black (pic below).

And the AquaComputer Aquaero 6 LT controller loves the 140mm PWM Industrial, they play very nice together - almost infinite fine-grain adjustability.

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As far as these Chromax black variants - up close they look like a black chrome in photos not a black powdercoat. A black chrome powdercoating? Yup, that does exist so maybe that's what Noctua is using - either way - looks spectacular to my eyes.

Although, a shiny standard chrome cooler can look pretty ok in a 90% black and gray build like mine, also blends well with the Gskill Royal Silver ddr4 nickel chromium mirror finish modules. So if Noctua does later this year offer that extra-large 1.5kg passive heatsink in both standard chrome and Chromax black, that's going to be a very tough choice for me personally. Have a strong feeling Noctua would time-stagger launch of the two skus only offering the standard chrome in the beginning so instead of giving enthusiasts an either/or decision and staying with one, if the black version is offered 6months or 12months later - marketing psychology or production logistics, lol - I would most definitely end up buying BOTH.

And Noctua marketing is already very aware of this fact. Two sales vs only one per enthusiast.

Think what we're going to see this summer is the long overdue successor to the NH-D15 and the NH-C14S, and then possibly the Chromax black variants of both later in the year along with the 1.5kg passive sink around Christmas time or so, yep in standard chrome.

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I might be the only one, but still believe a small dash of shiny chrome stands out and contrasts well in a mostly black and dark gray build, especially when it carries a very special purpose.

Noctua Industrial 140mm PWM 2000rpm (below) swapping out the brown stock corner pads for black - costs an extra $6.

Don't care for the Noctua brown/beige colors either but a Noctua fan in all-black looks quite magnificent.

 

[SL2]

There are many ways to decide how to make a fair comparison. The U12A cost more, the Dark Rock Pro 4 is a bit bigger, and according to TPU, they perform about the same, but the U12A is noisier.

I'm not saying that TPU's reviews are always right tho, and then there are variations on individual samples, different measuring techniques, etc. I remember when SPCR had two heatsinks of the same model and they preformed quite differently.

In fact what matters is not the noise at maximum or minimum speed, because that isn't telling you much.

It does for me because I've read the rest of the review.

Edit: Oh and the U12A weighs more, so I'd consider it a fair comparison.

 

[BoboOOZ]

There are many ways to decide how to make a fair comparison. The U12A cost more, the Dark Rock Pro 4 is a bit bigger, and according to TPU, they perform about the same, but the U12A is noisier.

I'm not saying that TPU's reviews are always right tho, and then there are variations on individual samples, different measuring techniques, etc. I remember when SPCR had two heatsinks of the same model and they preformed quite differently.


It does for me because I've read the rest of the review.

Well, when you are trying to compare items described by a ratio, the only way to make a fair comparison is by fixing one of the components of the ratio and plotting the other component. The other ways are noise. If you cannot understand it, than this means my post wasn't for you.

Edit: Oh and the U12A weighs more, so I'd consider it a fair comparison.

Once again, if you don't understand that fans with different diameters have different cooling performance/noise curves (because larger fans get the same airflow with less noise, because they need to move slower to obtain the same airflow), you can safely ignore my post and base your comparisons on weight, color or whatever else floats your boat.

 

[SL2]

Such a nice, subtle condescending tone you've got there.

Yes, weight does matter.

 

[steve360]

Yes Mr Wayne, it now comes in black.

 

[Mysteoa]

Yes, this summer. https://www.overclock3d.net/news/ca...octua_nf-a12x25_fans_are_coming_this_summer/1

Great news, I have been waiting for the for about 2 years.

 

[E-curbi]

Great news, I have been waiting for the for about 2 years.

Only a 2year wait after a Noctua Computex tease? Not too shabby...

I'm still waiting for the noise-cancelling fans from Computex 2014. Figure they're sure to be announced any day now.

Ok, one last (Noctua) photo, and that's it.

The smaller Noctua HSF below is cooling a bios chip.

 

[Turmania]

Nice to see them do this, and probably I will buy one myself. These black versions are opening a new market for them and increasing their reach range.

 

[tabascosauz]

Only a 2year wait after a Noctua Computex tease? Not too shabby...

I'm still waiting for the noise-cancelling fans from Computex 2014. Figure they're sure to be announced any day now.

Ok, one last (Noctua) photo, and that's it.

The smaller Noctua HSF below is cooling a bios chip.

View attachment 156671

Wait for real?? Or are you using the L9x65 to cool the memory VRM when you OC

Also, i need a test bench for my C14S. It's like, sucking air against a solid panel right now, it's not happy.

@Mats it's not an apples-to-apples comparison. If you want to use high end RAM with DR4P, you can't, because it shares its overhang issues with the D15 and other dual stack coolers. The U12A isn't dual stack, it's just a chunky U12S with more heatpipes, so it has literally no RAM overhang.

 

[SL2]

it's not an apples-to-apples comparison.

I never said it was, although I did mention that the DR4P was larger.

Still laughing at the weird replies I got earlier (no not you), but at least I managed to stay out of a possible pissing contest.

 

[Mysteoa]

Only a 2year wait after a Noctua Computex tease? Not too shabby...

Not exactly. I started waiting for the Black Noctua NF-A12x25 slightly after the original was release in mid 2018. I was expecting to have a black version since they started doing chromax versions. The only vague date I had was from a comment on their official Amazon page that it will be around beginning of 2019. The only think I heard about it after that was about them having problem with getting the characteristic of the plastic right. Then I saw them at computex 2019 with no mention of date.

Looking for those noise canceling fans, to me it looks like they have drop the project. Have you tried asking them?