AccessoryCoolingReviews

Noctua New A Series Fans and Accessories

NF-A20 PWM and NF-A20 FLX fans

I will start from the NF-A20 PWM. Both 200mm fans, so PWM and FLX version, look almost the same and package is also almost the same. There are still some differences. Let’s take a look at the table below for general specification of the fans and after that the main features of said 200mm fans.

PRODUCT
mm
RPM
dB/A
mm H2O
connector
200x200x30
800
18,1
146,9
1,08
4-Pin PWM
200x200x30
800
18,1
146,9
1,08
3-Pin

 

Award-winning Noctua quality in 20cm size

Award-winning Noctua quality in 20cm size

While more and more PC cases support 20cm intake, side-panel or exhaust fans, many of the bundled stock units and available aftermarket options are of questionable quality. By contrast, the NF-A20 is a true premium grade solution worthy of Noctua’s award-winning A-series.
 
154mm, 110x180mm and 170mm hole spacing

154mm, 110x180mm and 170mm hole spacing

In order to ensure broad compatibility with today’s PC cases, the NF-A20 features three sets of mounting holes: While the 154x154mm and 110x180mm spacing allow it to replace most 200mm fans, the 170x170mm spacing is used by many 230 and 250mm fans, which can thus also be replaced by the NF-A20.
 
Flow Acceleration Channels

Flow Acceleration Channels

The NF-A20 impeller features suction side Flow Acceleration Channels. By speeding up the airflow at the crucial outer blade regions, this measure reduces suction side flow separation and thus leads to better efficiency and lower vortex noise.
 
AAO Frame

AAO Frame

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.
 
Stepped Inlet Design

Stepped Inlet Design

Noctua’s Stepped Inlet Design adds turbulence to the influx in order to facilitate the transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow, which reduces tonal intake noise, improves flow attachment and increases suction capacity, especially in space-restricted environments.
 
Inner Surface Microstructures

Inner Surface Microstructures

With the tips of the fan blades ploughing through the boundary layer created by the Inner Surface Microstructures, flow separation from the suction side of the blades is significantly suppressed, which results in reduced blade passing noise and improved airflow and pressure efficiency.
 
Integrated anti-vibration pads

Integrated anti-vibration pads

Integrated anti-vibration pads made from extra-soft silicone minimise the transmission of minute vibrations while maintaining full compatibility with all standard screws and other mounting systems.
 
Smooth Commutation Drive 2

Smooth Commutation Drive 2

The latest version of Noctua’s advanced Smooth Commutation Drive system ensures superb running smoothness by eliminating torque variations and switching noises. This makes the fan remarkably quiet even at very close distances.
 
Low-Noise Adaptor for full flexibility

Low-Noise Adaptor for full flexibility

The NF-A420 FLX (Flexibility) and PWM are supplied with a Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.) that reduces the maximum fan speed from 800 to 550rpm so that it can be fine-tuned for superior airflow or maximum quietness.
 
Extensive cabling options

Extensive cabling options

The fan’s short 20cm primary cable minimises cable clutter in typical applications while the supplied 30cm extension provides extended reach when necessary. Both cables are fully sleeved and the supplied 3:4 pin adaptor allows the connection of the fan directly to the power supply.
 
SSO2 bearing

SSO2 bearing

The NF-A20 features the further optimised second generation of Noctua’s renowned, time-tested SSO bearing. With SSO2, the rear magnet is placed closer to the axis to provide even better stabilisation, precision and durability.
 
6-year manufacturer’s warranty

6-year manufacturer’s warranty

Noctua fans are renowned for their impeccable quality and outstanding longevity. Like all Noctua fans, the NF-A20 features an MTTF of more than 150.000 hours rating and comes with a full 6-year manufacturer’s warranty.

 

Package is in a typical for Noctua color scheme so white, black and brown. The fans are in brown tones as most popular Noctua series. It’s hard to mistake them as no other brand has fans like this. Additionally no other brand has so advanced fans but about that I will tell a bit later.

Inside the package we can find all we need to install the NF-A20 fan. There is full product description on the external side of the box but also description of the package contents inside. Additionally there is user’s manual and all other components like rubber anti-vibration mounts, extension cables, low-noise cable and four screws if we don’t want or can’t use rubber plugs to install the fan.

The NF-A20 PWM fan has rubber pads on the corners which can be removed as you see on the photos below. These are the small things that matter and make the difference between products.

Most brands just put a fan into small box and that’s all. Noctua cares about every detail to deliver top quality product without the need of purchase anything else to make it run as specified.

Both versions of the NF-A20 have three different hole spacing for installation. It’s possible to use 154×154, 110×180 or 170×170 mm spacing what makes it much easier to install in non-standard PC cases or on other devices if there is such need.

Below you can see the NF-A20 FLX fan which looks about the same as PWM version. Both fans are specified to spin up to 800 RPM at a typical wattage of 0.96W and 12V voltage. Pretty nice specification for the given performance. On the sticker we can also read that fans include SSO2 system with metal bearing shell what of course affects fan’s durability.

The difference between fans is mainly in additional elements which we can find in the package.

The NF-A20 PWM has two available modes. Connection via PWM without low-noise adaptor will let us see between 350 and 800 RPM. While using low-noise adaptor, maximum fan speed will be limited to about 550 RPM.

The NF-A20 FLX is able to run in two modes. One is via 3-pin connector ( or 4 pin Molex ) what lets the fan to spin at about 800 RPM and second option is low-noise adaptor which limits fan speed to 550 RPM.

That’s about all the differences so specification of the fan itself is the same regardless if we pick PWM or FLX version.

Below is the package of the NF-A20 FLX.

The same as the NF-A20 PWM, also FLX version has a small box with all required cables and anti-vibration mounts which are also helpful to install fans without additional screws and tools.

Not many brands are selling high quality 200mm fans. Most of them have or low performance or low quality. Noctua provides all the best in one package so if we need top quality 200mm fan then choice is obvious.

On the next page we will check smaller fans but more popular – NF-A12x15 in a 120mm size.

 

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