Gaming PCs need beefy cooling to remove all the heat generated from the processor and GPU.
This is an issue for people around you in the same room.
But, thankfully you have Noctua fans.
They ace the cooling while keeping the sound levels minimal.
Today, I will discuss why you should use a Noctua fan in your next build.
To see my specific recommendations, let us commence.
Are Noctua Fans Worth it?
Noctua fans are worth every penny if your budget allows for it.
The fans are a result of cutting-edge engineering that takes place after years of research.
Noctua fans are more expensive than other brands, such as Cooler Master or Corsair.
The final question may come to this.
Do you want high-performance or total silent operation?
Noctua offers near-silent operation while keeping the temperature at lower levels.
For example, theNoctua NF-A12produces only22dBof noise while providing an airflow of60 cfm.
While both the fans are whisper quiet,Noctua beats the competition, having the lowest noise level.
Noctua fans also provide high static pressure on their fans.
These are essential in Radiators and Heatsinks where you need good airflow in small compact spaces.
These fans can push air at high force in compact places.
TheNoctua NF-F12 iPPCprovides the highest static pressure of10.5 mm H2O.
It can run at a max speed of3000 rpm, providing a high airflow.
The closest competitorCorsair ML-120can provide a static pressure of4.2 mm of H2O.
The high static pressure helps out in smaller builds that have less airflow.
The fans have very small space to channel the hot air out of the case.
In that case,Noctua NF-F12can be the best choice for cooling.
When running high-end CPUs, many users choose to water-cool them.
AIO coolers are very popular due to their ease of use and performance.
TheNoctua D15is a dual heatsink cooler with120 mmfans that can go head-to-head with AIO coolers.
It can bring down the temperature of the most power-hungry CPUs to70degrees.
Even if the unit is overclocked, the cooler can keep the temperature within bearable limits.
The Scythe Ninja 5 comes very close in terms of performance and cooling.
The color profile is great, coming in a dark black color.
However,Noctua D-15has a lower noise level at max-load.
TheNoctua D-15has remained the number 1 choice for gamers when it comes to air coolers.
Aesthetics is another area where Noctua is lacking.
They do not offer RGB or ARGB control in the fans.
The color scheme is also limited to Beige/Brown and matt black.
If you must have RGB fans, Noctua may not be for you.
If you want a black theme across your build, Noctua has theChromaxxline-up.
They come in a matt-black finish to complement the black case.
Some Noctua fans come with different colored connectors.
you’re able to use this to match the color of the case.
If you choose Noctua in your system, I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.
Can check our separate post aboutNoctua NH-D15 Vs. NH-D15s.
Why are Noctua Fans So Good?
The main selling point of Noctua fans is their super quiet operation.
The fans also last longer in peak operation.
These qualities do not come easily.
Noctua conducts extensive research on a product before releasing them.
A few years ago, they released the A-series lineup that had been in research for 4 years.
The guys are obsessed with airflow and noise reduction.
No wonder the end products are so high in quality.
A quick Amazon or forum search will reveal how highly the users regard them.
Lets us take a brief look at how Noctua maintains its quality.
Here are the reasons why Noctua fans are top-notch:
1.
Noiseless Heat Dissipation
This is the flagship feature of Noctua fans.
They will cool down the PC components without letting you know.
Most of the time, you wont know if the fan is operational.
They work like the Germans, remaining in silence.
So how are the Noctua fans so silent?
Turns out a lot of work is done to achieve this.
Firstly, Noctua achieves quiet operation using anti-vibration pads.
These are employed at the corners of the fan bracket.
The fans can vibrate the PC case when they operate at high speeds.
The pads absorb this vibration, making the fans silent.
Secondly, the fans have etched ridges to remove the air without making noise.
They can help improve the aerodynamics of the fan blade.
A gap of 0.5mm exists between the blades and the frame.
It moves the air out without the pressure building on either side of the fan.
In short, the fans will remove the heat from your CPU while maintaining a lower temperature.
It produces only22 dBsound at1800 rpmfan speed.
You also get a55 cfmairflow that provides plenty of air movement.
For your information, a22 dBsound is equivalent to someone whispering to you from a few feet away.
It is a tried and tested model that has remained a favorite in the user space.
Go through our epic guide aboutNZXT Kraken Z63 vs. Noctua NH-D15.
Top-notch Cooling Performance
Noctua fans are known for their good cooling performance.
They can push out more air at comparable speeds (rpm) to other brands.
Noctua has a lineup of different fans of different sizes.
As the fan rotates, it pushes out air.
A larger fan spins at a lower speed to reduce the same temperature.
The speed ranges from1000-5000 rpm.
The air they can push out ranges from20 to 80 cfm.
A higher value indicates more air getting out of your case.
verify your PC is placed in a place with plenty of airflows.
Now, which Noctua coolers are absolute beasts in cooling the most powerful processors?
There are6heat pipes working in tandem with the dual fans.
It has adual-towerdesign usingtwoheatsinks.
Even at max load, the cooler maintains a temperature of70 degreesat a40 dBnoise level.
The sound reduces to under20 dBwhen using LNA(Low Noise Adapter).
The D15 has dualNF-A15 140 mmcooling fans withPWMandLNAsupport.
The fans can run at a max speed of1500 rpm.
The fans provide an efficient transfer of heat from the case.
All these features makeNoctua NH-D15the best air cooler for your CPUs.
While it demands quite a price premium, it is totally worth it.
Read more onbest fan Splitter cables.
Fan Speed Control Using PWM
Pulse Width Modulation or PWM is used to control the fans speed.
A PWM fan will come with a 4-pin header that connects to the motherboard.
PWM works by observing the CPU load.
A high load means the case will get filled with warm air.
The fan regulator acts by increasing the fan speed.
It will take more hot air out of the case, and the components will remain cool.
Noctua fans have PWM built in so that the fans dont run at full speeds all the time.
Using this feature makes the fan even more silent.
Built Using High-Quality Materials
Did you hear the term Sterrox?
Thats a new bang out of polymer made for the fan blades.
Noctua says this is more rigid and will keep the fans structure after many years of usage.
Noctua usesSSO bearingsin the fan that are more reliable than others.
It uses magnets to stabilize the bearings axis.
It lasts longer than other mechanisms implemented by different brands.
They are held in fixed positions without moving too much.
The overall noise is reduced dramatically.
High Airflow and Static Pressure
Noctua fans provide high airflow and static pressure.
They optimize the fans based on their placement.
Airflow is essential when you do not have an obstacle stopping airflow.
High Static Pressure is needed where the airflow is less.
Heatsinks are an ideal example of this.
Noctua produces both types of fans so that cooling is not hindered.
TheNoctua NF-F12 iPPC 3000is a great cooler when used with heatsinks and radiators.
It is optimized to providehigh static pressureandmax airflow.
It has a120 mmfan withPWMto control the speed.
It can run at a max speed of3000 rpm.
It provides a high static pressure of10.5 mm H2O.
The airflow is great at158 cfm.
It is noisier than other Noctua fans producing a noise level of43 dB.
TheNoctua NF-F12 iPPCshould be ideally used for mini ITX builds that demand great cooling in a reduced space.
Brand Reliability and Warranty
Noctua coverssix yearsof warranty across all its products.
It is a testament to the quality of the products that it’s possible for you to buy.
Even if you come across a damaged product, you might contact support and return it easily.
You may argue that Noctua demands a premium across the range of its products.
Sometimes that is evident by the price that you see on comparable brands.
However, the quality and the performance that you get is unparalleled.
I didnt need to state Noctuas brand reliability.
That itself is established beforehand.
I just gave a few reasons why you are thinking of buying them.
Are Noctua fans better than Corsair?
Corsair is another brand that produces a plethora of accessories for computers.
Noctua fans are generally the top performers in every category of PC fans available.
Corsair has great fans, too; these are more affordable than what Noctua charges.
They have a wide range of ARGB fans that allow you to control colors using proprietary software.
They provide niceties like manual fan control using PWM.
Here is how they perform in the real world:
Both coolers keep the temperatures under90degrees under load.
But the Noctua keeps the noise down at40 dBcompared to53 dBin Corsair.
Noctua implements a dual-heatsink design to dissipate more heat in a shorter time.
In comparison, Corsair has used a single large heatsink.
The cooler is larger in size than Noctua.
The fans in both coolers perform decently to keep the temperature under acceptable levels.
The Noctua cooler remains silent at lower levels for longer times.
The performance and noise levels that it can provide are unparalleled.
I have been using one in my rig for a few years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How are Noctua fans so quiet?
The company uses an in-house developed polymer as the material for the fan.
The fan blade and housing have ridges that allow more airflow without making an additional sound.
What is a good rpm for gaming?
A good rpm for gaming is1500 rpm.
The speed of your fans depends on their length.
Smaller fans move at high speeds to remove the same heat.
Larger fans can move at a lower rpm but be effective at cooling.
For smaller fans, the speed should be1500-2000 rpm, and1200-1500 rpmis ideal for larger fans.
Why are Noctua fans so expensive?
Noctua fans are expensive as they provide excellent cooling while maintaining low noise.
They are known to engineer durable products, providing6years of Warranty.
They use superior components such asSSO bearings.
These features and industry-leading cooling performance are why Noctua demands such a price premium.
Can you add RGB to Noctua fans?
You cannot add RGB to Noctua fans.
RGB support is missing in all the models.
A black-themed fan wasnt released until recently.
Noctua is more focused on providing performance than visual flair.
You will be stunned just like everybody else.
Noctua fans are more about functionality rather than style.
You also need to embrace the beige theme big time.
Today I discussed why you should join team Noctua.
I have also mentioned the drawbacks of using one.
There arent that many, though.
Signing off till next time.
