The Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 already got top reviews from various sites, so I am wondering how it will perform on our Longwin fan testing machine.
Today’s sample is bought by Hardware Busters. It WASN’T provided by Noctua!
Since we no longer cooperate with Noctua for our reasons, I decided to purchase the new NF-A12x25 G2 fans and test their performance on my Longwin fan testing machine. Although our review might be late, it will be the most comprehensive, so I recommend reading it thoroughly before investing in the new Noctua fan model.
The NF-A12x25 G2 is the successor to the NF-A12x25, which has become outdated. It is made by Sterrox® LCP, and it has a 0.5mm tip clearance for optimal performance. Noctua provides a massive load of information on the product’s page about its specifications and design choices, making it look like a plane propeller and not just a “plain” fan. Since I don’t wish to dive into unnecessary details, I will get right to the point, which is the test data.
The Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 achieves a Platinum rating in airflow and a Titanium rating in static pressure on the Cybenetics Phi scale.
Specifications
- Model Number: NF-A12x25 G2
- Cybenetics Phi Fan Performance Standard – Airflow Rating: Platinum
- Cybenetics Phi Fan Performance Standard – Static Pressure Rating: Titanium
- Fan Speed Max (+/- 10%): 1800 RPM
- Fan Airflow Max: 63.15 CFM
- Static Pressure Max: 3.14 mmH2O
- Fan Noise Level (max): 22.5 dBA
- Fan Bearing Type: SSO2
- Bearing durability: > 150,000 h
- Blade geometry: Progressive-Bend Impeller
- Frame technology: AAO (Advanced Acoustic Optimisation)
- Fan Rated Voltage: 12 VDC
- Fan Max Input Current: 0.15A
- Fan Max Wattage: 1.8W
- Daisy-Chain Capable: No
- Cable Length: 20cm + 30cm NA-EC1 extension cable
- Fan Connector: 4-pin (PWM)
- Fan Weight: 193 gr
- ARGB: No
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 120 x 120 x 25mm
- Price (excluding VAT): $34.9
- Warranty: 6 years
It’s a one-trick pony fan IMO. It’s a quiet fan but that’s all it has to offer. Just performance-wise, it’s in the middle of the pack with focus on low noise performance… however at that level of low RPM, they would all perform more/less the same with maybe 1 or 2C delta in real world. On the otherhand, T30 performs well at low noise but also has the ability to scale up to insane level if one desires that destroys even the Noctua Industrial fan, thus killing 2 birds with one stone.
The performance of the Arctic P12 Pro is outstanding!
Is there any reason to buy the Noctua NF-A12x25 G2, given that the Arctic fan is much cheaper and better?
In my country, the P12 Pro costs just 5.66 euro, whereas the NF-A12x25 G2 costs 28.59 euro. The Noctua fan is five times more expensive than the Arctic fan, and it is underperforming in static pressure tests.
Also, I have no idea why the P12 Pro is so cheap right now.
Even if it’s one of the best 25mm fans, other options perform very similar to it (Toughfan 12 Pro and P12 Pro as mentioned) and if you have room for 28-30mm you have even more options
Makes me curious to see what Noctua could achieve with 28 or 30mm, especially on the 140mm G2 version. Thermalright released some 28mm versions of 25mm fans and by specs it’s roughly 10% better on both airflow and pressure, guess I’ll just keep dreaming of a 140x30mm fan that is 15-20% better than the G2 lol. Thanks for the review as always!
Thanks, great review. Fan looks very premium but 30+ dollars for 1 fan, damn I feel poor. Thankfully I don’t like low noise fans I prefer the loudest that exist so everything is very cheap in that range.