Noctua Reveals New Chromax CPU Coolers and Accessories

[Chino]

Noctua's Chromax line was introduced for hardware enthusiasts who don't dig the beige and tan color scheme on Noctua products. The Chromax family has grown over the years to include fans, heatsink covers, colored cables, and anti-vibration pads. Noctua has announced at Computex 2018 the addition of the NH-D15, NH-U12S, and NH-L9i CPU coolers to the Chromax line of products. Everything from the heatsink, fan, cables, and mounting parts will come in black. As usual, colored anti-vibration pads and heatsink covers will be available for consumers who desire to add some color to the CPU cooler. Additionally, Noctua also plans to expand the Chromax fan portfolio to include the NF-A20, NF-A14, NF-A12x25, NF-F12, NF-A9, and NF-A8 models.

We also got the opportunity to witness some of Noctua's latest accessories. First, there's the 24V to 12V DC-DC step-down converter which basically lets consumers run any Noctua 12V fan in 24V environments. The converter features support for PWM control and RPM monitoring. Nevertheless, it also allows voltage-based speed control since the output voltage scales with the input voltage. The nifty gadget supports fans up to 1A and operating temperatures up to 60°C. On another note, Noctua also showcased its eight channel PWM fan hub that allows users to control up to eight fans simultaneously. The hub draws power via a 4-pin PWM or SATA power cable. The rear side of the hub incorporates a magnet for easy installation on PC cases. One of the more peculiar accessories is the desk fan. With NF-A12x25 120 mm fan in the center, the prototype boasts a three-way Airflow Amplification System (AAS) which allegedly combines helix energy recovery, progressive ow acceleration, and Venturi-effect volume enhancement. The desk fan draws power from a USB port.


View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[RejZoR]

Noctua fans have tons of buzzwords for various technologies, but they never managed to impress me. Starting with eternally horrible color scheme down to fan characteristics. Granted, it has been years since I used normal sized fans from them, but I did use their 40x40 fan rather recently and it was awful. When I think of a computer fan, Noctua isn't my first thing that crosses my mind despite their excellent general reputation in the industry. And they are just too expensive to give them second chances just to be potentially disappointed again...

At least they are trying with the black fan series, solving one huge problem they had for years (color scheme).

 

[Gungar]

Noctua fans have tons of buzzwords for various technologies, but they never managed to impress me. Starting with eternally horrible color scheme down to fan characteristics. Granted, it has been years since I used normal sized fans from them, but I did use their 40x40 fan rather recently and it was awful. When I think of a computer fan, Noctua isn't my first thing that crosses my mind despite their excellent general reputation in the industry. And they are just too expensive to give them second chances just to be potentially disappointed again...

At least they are trying with the black fan series, solving one huge problem they had for years (color scheme).

Performance/silence ratio, longevity, customer service, actual fan development. Noctua is a complete no brainer. I never bought 40mm though so idk for that size.

 

[MCJeeba]

Man, I'd love to see that shroud for the desk fan sold on its own, just to be able to add it behind your case's front intakes. I'd love to mess around with that.

 

[Xzibit]

Noctua fans have tons of buzzwords for various technologies, but they never managed to impress me. Starting with eternally horrible color scheme down to fan characteristics. Granted, it has been years since I used normal sized fans from them, but I did use their 40x40 fan rather recently and it was awful. When I think of a computer fan, Noctua isn't my first thing that crosses my mind despite their excellent general reputation in the industry. And they are just too expensive to give them second chances just to be potentially disappointed again...

At least they are trying with the black fan series, solving one huge problem they had for years (color scheme).

That was solved for me when they introduced the P12s to the Redux line (Grey) for $13. Don't need the accessories, I can find better ones cheaper elsewhere.

 

[RH92]

Performance/silence ratio, longevity, customer service, actual fan development.

Longevity , customer service ? Certainly yes since Noctua has excellent build quality .

Performance/silence ratio ? HECK NO :

http://imgur.com/f5vBDVs

every fan on this graph outperforms NF F12 on perf/silence department .

That's the thing with Noctua , they have very good build quality and because of this peoples assume they lead in performance or/and silence as well WICH IS SIMPLY NOT THE CASE !!!

 

[Xzibit]

Longevity , customer service ? Certainly yes since Noctua has excellent build quality .

Performance/silence ratio ? HECK NO :

http://imgur.com/f5vBDVs

every fan on this graph outperforms NF F12 on perf/silence department .

That's the thing with Noctua , they have very good build quality and because of this peoples assume they lead in performance or/and silence as well WICH IS SIMPLY NOT THE CASE !!!

Someone in another forum was using that same graph and it struck me as odd.

Noctua on there is IPPC comparing to the Cooler Master Blade Master 120 (the others don't provide details on their website). The CM BM 120 uses more Amps Wattage around 3 times more to do the same thing.

Update:
Found the details for the be quiet! Silent Wings 3 120 High-Speed and it uses slightly more then the Cooler Master Blade Master 120.

2nd Update:
The Darkside Gentle Typhoon 2150 uses almost x2 of the CM BM 120
The Cryorig QF120 Performance use more then the CM BM 120

3rd Update:
Looks like that graph is from the EK Vadar F4-120ER which also list that it uses almost x2 of the Noctua NF-F12 IPPC.

All those fans are using x2-x6 to achieve that of the Noctua

 

[RejZoR]

@RH92 Interesting, BeQuiet SW3 is outperforming everyone up till the top end where Vardar and Gentle Typhoon overtake. But they are about average across 3/4 of the rest of the range. I guess my excitement over SilentWings 3 wasn't for nothing, because they really are stupid quiet and they push insane amount of air through the front dust filter and HDD bay cage at stupid low RPM.

 

[RH92]

Noctua on there is IPPC comparing to the Cooler Master Blade Master 120 (the others don't provide details on their website). The CM BM 120 uses more Amps Wattage around 3 times more to do the same thing.

Update:
Found the details for the be quiet! Silent Wings 3 120 High-Speed and it uses slightly more then the Cooler Master Blade Master 120.

2nd Update:
The Darkside Gentle Typhoon 2150 uses almost x2 of the CM BM 120
The Cryorig QF120 Performance use more then the CM BM 120

3rd Update:
Looks like that graph is from the EK Vadar F4-120ER which also list that it uses almost x2 of the Noctua NF-F12 IPPC.

All those fans are using x2-x6 to achieve that of the Noctua

This NF F12 IPPC is rated at 0.1A so even for the worst case scenario at 6 times more amps your motherboard header should be able to handle two of those .

This being said i realy don't understand your comment here or how this is related to the point i was trying to make.

 

[Xzibit]

This NF F12 IPPC is rated at 0.1A so even for the worst case scenario at 6 times more amps your motherboard header should be able to handle two of those .

This being said i realy don't understand your comment here or how this is related to the point i was trying to make.

Well i wouldn't take a rival graph for instance. If it was an independent study be much better. I think OC3Dtv did a comparison recently

On top of it, Its like AMD saying we achieve 125fps while Nvidia does 120fps but they never mention it draws a minimal of x2 to x6 the power to achieve those figures. Marketing.

MB headers are 1.0A

 

[RH92]

@RH92 Interesting, BeQuiet SW3 is outperforming everyone up till the top end where Vardar and Gentle Typhoon overtake. But they are about average across 3/4 of the rest of the range. I guess my excitement over SilentWings 3 wasn't for nothing, because they really are stupid quiet and they push insane amount of air through the front dust filter and HDD bay cage at stupid low RPM.

Yes i was surprised by SW3 as well . I mean you expect them to be silent since they are advertised for this but you certainly don't expect them to push more air than the rest at the same time !

As it can be seen here

http://imgur.com/DNdi2ZH

both SW3 and ML120 perform very close to each other . SW3 would be slightly better for 0 to 1600 ish rpms and ML120 for 1600 rpms and above (better than GT's or Vardars ) .

Well i wouldn't take a rival graph for instance. If it was an independent study be much better. I think OC3Dtv did a comparison recently

On top of it, Its like AMD saying we achieve 125fps while Nvidia does 120fps but they never mention it draws a minimal of x2 to x6 the power to achieve those figures. Marketing.

Again i don't understand what you are talking about . What rival graph ?

Those graphs come from Thermalbench.com wich is an independent review site run by a guy named VSG . He does this as a hobby and he does some of the best reviews on that matter ( proper testing material etc ).

You lost me completely with the Nvidia AMD part , you seem to be confused to say the least !

 

[Xzibit]

You lost me completely with the Nvidia AMD part , you seem to be confused to say the least !

Not confused at all. I wasn't aware of his site. EK is using same style graphs (if not his) for each fan page. Skimmed through his site and looks like hes doing most of the 120mm fan test on a Swiftech MCR120QP radiator. Should have included that in graph for context.

Some of the fans in the first graph also vary by SP and probably do better on a higher FPI radiator.

 

[The Quim Reaper]

Man, I'd love to build a Mini ITX stealth rig with that low profile black cooler..in Phanteks new all black Metalgear Mini ITX case.

 

[RH92]

Not confused at all. I wasn't aware of his site. EK is using same style graphs (if not his) for each fan page.

There's a prety slim chance that EK ( or any other vendor ) uses graphs where their product gets beaten by the competition don't you think ?

Some of the fans in the first graph also vary by SP and probably do better on a higher FPI radiator.

Yes if we where looking at linear airflow through radiator '' only '' then some of those fans could perform better on a higher FPI radiator but since we are looking at linear airflow in relation to fan noise well a higher FPI radiator will introduce more air noise by default for those fans pushing more air so this graph won't change much

 

[Vayra86]

Longevity , customer service ? Certainly yes since Noctua has excellent build quality .

Performance/silence ratio ? HECK NO :

http://imgur.com/f5vBDVs

every fan on this graph outperforms NF F12 on perf/silence department .

That's the thing with Noctua , they have very good build quality and because of this peoples assume they lead in performance or/and silence as well WICH IS SIMPLY NOT THE CASE !!!

This was my conclusion too, so I went for the BQ SW3 High speed fans. Didn't even see this graph though, just the CFM + dB associated with that elsewhere... its clearly better across the board and more importantly: its a linear curve.

But then again you don't want these fans over 1100rpm. They get loud AF

Noctua is clearly overrated these days and it makes sense. Making fans isn't rocket science, let's face it. Just like its not Cherry that can make the only mechanical switch. Its all plastic.

 

[VSG]

Okay so to clear up a few things, I am said VSG referenced above and EK is indeed using graphs from my website after getting my approval. Those are old graphs though, and I have newer fan reviews here on TPU as well using a different testing methodology.

For what it's worth, I am done testing the new Noctua NF-A12x25 and NF-P12 redux. The former is extremely impressive on radiators, and the latter is so-so. Reviews of both are in the works here, with other models on Thermal Bench later.

 

[Xzibit]

For what it's worth, I am done testing the new Noctua NF-A12x25 and NF-P12 redux. The former is extremely impressive on radiators, and the latter is so-so. Reviews of both are in the works here, with other models on Thermal Bench later.

NF-P12 are too low power to be any good on rads comparatively

 

[Vario]

Noctua fans have tons of buzzwords for various technologies, but they never managed to impress me. Starting with eternally horrible color scheme down to fan characteristics. Granted, it has been years since I used normal sized fans from them, but I did use their 40x40 fan rather recently and it was awful. When I think of a computer fan, Noctua isn't my first thing that crosses my mind despite their excellent general reputation in the industry. And they are just too expensive to give them second chances just to be potentially disappointed again...

At least they are trying with the black fan series, solving one huge problem they had for years (color scheme).

For the smaller fans try Gelid. I have their 50x50mm fan, branded Gelid Silent 5, and it is great. They make a 40x40 too.

 

[RH92]

.
For what it's worth, I am done testing the new Noctua NF-A12x25 and NF-P12 redux. The former is extremely impressive on radiators, and the latter is so-so. Reviews of both are in the works here, with other models on Thermal Bench later.

Great news , looking forward for those !

 

[RejZoR]

For the smaller fans try Gelid. I have their 50x50mm fan, branded Gelid Silent 5, and it is great. They make a 40x40 too.

That's actually the plan. I'd prefer Noiseblocker, but their small fans go for 15€ and beyond which is absurd even though I know they are guaranteed excellent. Did find Gelid Silent 4 which even comes with FDB bearing and costs like 4€ which is really nice price.

 

[Vayra86]

Gelid makes great fans. Perf/dollar is probably one of the best you can find without suffering any problems whatsoever on anything in the line up. Awesome balance.

There are so many good fan makers, you'd start wondering if it might be easy... fun fact... it is

 

[Vario]

That's actually the plan. I'd prefer Noiseblocker, but their small fans go for 15€ and beyond which is absurd even though I know they are guaranteed excellent. Did find Gelid Silent 4 which even comes with FDB bearing and costs like 4€ which is really nice price.

The silent 5 moves a lot of air for its size I have not tried the silent 4. I have three of the silent 5 I was using on a prior board for blowing on the vrm and other hot areas but haven't needed it on this current build.

 

[EatingDirt]

This was my conclusion too, so I went for the BQ SW3 High speed fans. Didn't even see this graph though, just the CFM + dB associated with that elsewhere... its clearly better across the board and more importantly: its a linear curve.

But then again you don't want these fans over 1100rpm. They get loud AF

Noctua is clearly overrated these days and it makes sense. Making fans isn't rocket science, let's face it. Just like its not Cherry that can make the only mechanical switch. Its all plastic.

I'm not sure where you get better across the board. Technical specs of the Be Quiet! Silent Wings vs Noctua A series are comparable. Let's look at their tech specs according to the websites:

Be Quiet Silent Wings 3 140mm High Speed PWM: 1,600 RPM, 131.79 m3/h, 28.1 dba
Noctua NF-A14 PWM----------------------------------------> 1,500 RPM, 140,2 m3/h, 24.6dba

The Noctua achieves more flow with less RPM & less noise.

As for the Noctua numbers posted earlier in a graph, the F series are old designs they've reused for industrial applications, and are specifically segmented from their consumer lineup on their website.

 

[RejZoR]

SW3 has higher static pressure. Fans usually have to trade airflow for the pressure. And that's basically those 9m3/h. Also, I'd have to actually hear fan acoustics. Just because something has lower dB rating, that doesn't mean it's actually quieter. I've seen and heard a share of fans that boasted stupid low dB, but they had horrendous acoustics. Buzzing, whining, whistling, clicking, grinding noises and more, all this usually doesn't affect dB rating, but can be beyond irritating. That Noctua 40mm has 3 of all the listed symptoms. The Noctua tower cooler (its fan, not sure which model it was) I was testing for a friend when I built him a system years ago had buzzing and clicking noise. dB only matters if you're blindly buying fans off internet. When you're actually evaluating them with your own ears, these metrics come into play way more.

 

[Xzibit]

I'm not sure where you get better across the board. Technical specs of the Be Quiet! Silent Wings vs Noctua A series are comparable. Let's look at their tech specs according to the websites:

Be Quiet Silent Wings 3 140mm High Speed PWM: 1,600 RPM, 131.79 m3/h, 28.1 dba
Noctua NF-A14 PWM----------------------------------------> 1,500 RPM, 140,2 m3/h, 24.6dba

The Noctua achieves more flow with less RPM & less noise.

As for the Noctua numbers posted earlier in a graph, the F series are old designs they've reused for industrial applications, and are specifically segmented from their consumer lineup on their website.

Static Preasure
SW3 140 HS = 2.16
NF-A14 = 2.08

Power
SW3 140 HS = 6 Watts - I would avoid using 2 on a single MB header
NF-A14 = 1.56 Watts