Noctua
Noctua NF-S12A PWM chromax.Black.swap, Premium Quiet Fan, 4-Pin (120mm, Black)
Bottom line: The Noctua NF-S12A PWM chromax.Black.swap ($26.95 on Amazon as of 2026-11-07 13:20 UTC): Very low 17.8 dB(A) ceiling at max 1200 RPM; main trade-off: low-impedance design, so not ideal for radiators or dense fin stacks.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-11-07. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Very low 17.8 dB(A) ceiling at max 1200 RPM
- ✓ 4-pin PWM lets the board scale speed automatically
- ✓ >150,000 h MTTF bearing rating for fit-and-forget use
- ✓ Swappable pads in 6 colors: red, black, white, blue, yellow, green
Cons
- ✗ Low-impedance design, so not ideal for radiators or dense fin stacks
- ✗ 1200 RPM cap limits headroom in high-heat builds
- ✗ Standard 120x120x25 mm only; no 140mm option in this model
- ✗ All-black finish hides the blades but shows dust buildup
Manufacturer description
The Noctua NF-S12A PWM chromax.Black.swap is a 120mm case fan built for builders who want airflow without the noise floor that comes with it. Rated at a maximum 1200 RPM and 17.8 dB(A), it is tuned for low-impedance applications: intake and exhaust positions, mesh front panels, and open radiator-free airflow paths where static pressure matters less than volume. The 4-pin PWM connector lets your motherboard scale speed automatically, so the fan idles near-silent and only ramps when thermals call for it. Noctua rates the bearing at more than 150,000 hours MTTF, which is the kind of figure that…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Noctua NF-S12A PWM chromax.Black.swap using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the cooling & fans category. Noctua's cooling & fans lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for cooling & fans of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud is the Noctua NF-S12A PWM chromax at full speed?
Noctua rates it at a maximum 17.8 dB(A) when running at its top speed of 1200 RPM. Because it is a 4-pin PWM fan, your motherboard will typically run it well below that under normal load.
Is this fan good for an AIO radiator or a CPU cooler?
It is designed for low-impedance applications like case intake and exhaust. Radiators and dense heatsink fin stacks are high-impedance, so a static-pressure fan is the better match there.
Will it fit my case?
It uses the standard 120x120x25 mm form factor, so any case or bracket with a 120mm fan mount will accept it. It runs on 12V through a 4-pin PWM header.
What is the difference between chromax.black.swap and the regular NF-S12A?
The airflow and acoustic performance are the same NF-S12A design. The chromax version swaps the beige-and-brown color scheme for all black and includes anti-vibration pads in red, black, white, blue, yellow, and green.
How long will this fan last?
Noctua rates the bearing at more than 150,000 hours MTTF, which works out to roughly 17 years of continuous operation. Check the product listing for current warranty terms.
Key Features
- Premium quiet fan, 120x120x25 mm, 12V, 4-pin PWM, max. 1200 RPM, max. 17.8 dB(A), >150,000 h MTTF
- Award-winning NF-S12A design has received more than 100 recommendations from international hardware websites and magazines
- Outstanding airflow efficiency and superb acoustics: ideal for case cooling and other low impedance applications
- 4-pin PWM version for automatic speed control via 4-pin PWM fan headers, 1200rpm maximum speed
- chromax.black.swap edition with attractive all-black design and swappable red, black, white, blue, yellow and green anti-vibration pads for colour-customising
Full Specifications
| Brand | Noctua |
|---|---|
| Model | NF-S12A PWM CH.BK.S |
| Voltage | 12 volts |
| Wattage | 1.44 watts |
| Material | Fibre-glass reinforced PBT |
| Dimensions | 120x120x25 mm |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Noise Level | 17.8 db |
| Part Number | NF-S12A PWM CH.BK.S |
| Material Type | Fibre-glass reinforced PBT |
| Cooling Method | Air |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Vibration/Rumble | Yes |
| Air Flow Capacity | 107.5 cubic meter per hour |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Power Connector Type | 4-Pin |
| Warranty Description | 6 year manufacturer’s warranty |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 1200 rpm |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 4.72"L x 4.72"W x 0.98"H |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00841501110412, 09010018100419 |
Benchmark data for other processors
Ready to buy?
Noctua NF-S12A PWM chromax.Black.swap, Premium Quiet Fan, 4-Pin (120mm, Black) is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-11-07. Price and availability subject to change.
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