Noctua NF-A4, A8 and A9 Fans: Mighty Whispers

Overview »

Ever notice how smaller breed of dogs are usually meaner such as the Chihuahua? It is usually because they are over compensating for their size compared to larger dogs which generally have a more docile temperament. This applies to cooling fans as well with larger fans generally running much quieter and getting increasingly loud as they move to lower sizes. Smaller fans with their smaller fan blades have to move at much higher RPM just to push the airflow equivalent to the larger fans. Once you approach smaller form factors, the design problems increase with the fan hub motor taking up more space that affect how big the fan blades can be. This is where experience and science come into play, and with the A9, A8 and A4 series fans recently announced by Noctua, it is a design challenge they are willing to take on.

Review Sample Provided by: Noctua
Product Name: Noctua A-series Fans
MSRP: see table below
Product was given in exchange for work done to produce this review.

Each A-series fan box looks identical with the exception of the variety designation marked on the side. It is actually quite elaborate compared to a typical fan packaging. The front flips open to show a windowed preview of the fan and the low-noise mounting kit.

A total of eight fans are available from the newly announced A-series fan line with sizes ranging from 120mm to 140mm fans listed at the table below (review samples bolded). Noctua Also has NF-A6 60mm fans available, not listed here:

Dimension (L x W X D mm)	Name	Connector	Max RPM	Acoustical Noise	Airflow	Static Pressure	MSRP (USD)
92 x 92 x 25	NF-A9 PWM	4-pin PWM	2000	22.8 dB(A)	78.9 m³/h	2.28 mm H2O	20.90
92 x 92 x 14	NF-A9 PWMx14	4-pin PWM	2200	19.9 dB(A)	50.5 m³/h	1.64 mm H2O	20.90
92 x 92 x 25	NF-A9 FLX	3-pin	1600	17.1 dB(A)	64.6 m³/h	1.62 mm H2O	20.90
80 x 80 x 25	NF-A8 PWM	4-pin PWM	2200	17.7 dB(A)	55.5 m³/h	2.37 mm H2O	17.90
80 x 80 x 25	NF-A8 FLX	3-pin	2000	16.1 dB(A)	50.4 m³/h	1.96 mm H2O	17.90
80 x 80 x 25	NF-A8 ULN	3-pin	1400	10.4 dB(A)	34.8 m³/h	1.05 mm H2O	17.90
40 x 40 x 10	NF-A4x10 FLX	3-pin	4500	17.9 dB(A)	8.2 m³/h	1.78 mm H2O	15.90
40 x 40 x 10	NF-A4x10 5V	3-pin	4500	17.9 dB(A)	8.2 m³/h	1.78 mm H2O	15.90

Inside is a plastic housing the fan itself, the four low-noise mounts and the accessory items are in separate compartments. The user’s guide and warranty information pamphlet is also tucked inside the box. Each Noctua A-series fan variety comes with a different set of accessory items with two low noise adapters for the FLX version while the ULN and PWM versions get one. Four metal mounting screws are also included for each package as well as a 30cm long extension cable. All cables and connectors are braided for that uniform premium look and feel, even the low noise adapters, molex to 3-pin converter and Y-splitter cables. All the accessory cables also come with a high-quality tag sporting the Noctua logo and the item’s product code.

Unique to the NF-A4 accessory pack however is the OmniJoin adapter set. This kit allows users to connect +5V and ground wires to a fan header tool-free via 3M Scotchlok connectors provided. It only requires users to connect the correct wire and push down the Scotchlok connector to secure.