Noctua

Noctua NF-S12A PWM chromax.Black.swap, Premium Quiet Fan, 4-Pin (120mm, Black)

Name: Noctua NF-S12A PWM chromax.Black.swap, Premium Quiet Fan, 4-Pin (120mm, Black)
Brand: Noctua
SKU: B07657VBQQ
Price: 26.95 USD
Availability: InStock

By Mike Perry, Hardware Editor · Verified 2026-09-23

Mike Perry has researched PC hardware since 2014, tracking 80+ GPU generations, 50+ retro handheld platforms, and 30+ vintage PC configurations. He synthesises community benchmarks, manufacturer specs, and public forum data into actionable buying guides. View full credentials →

$26.95

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View Current Price on Amazon → Compare to similar cooling & fans

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-04-20. Price and availability subject to change.

Bottom line: The Noctua NF-S12A PWM chromax.Black.swap, Premium Quiet Fan, 4-Pin (120mm, Black) is a specs-and-price decision rather than a crowd-consensus one in the cooling & fans category, priced around $26.95. Check the specification table above against one or two close alternatives — on price and spec fit, not on star ratings.

Pros & Cons

Pros

✓ Backed by Noctua's warranty and support channels
✓ Ships via Amazon with Prime eligibility and the standard returns policy

Cons

✗ Confirm socket / form-factor / power-rating compatibility against your build before ordering
✗ Price, stock, and Prime eligibility update from Amazon and may have changed since this page was last verified

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, Premium Quiet Fan, 4-Pin… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to our editorial and benchmark analysis 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 Amazon listing before purchase. Prices, stock, and Prime eligibility update directly from Amazon's catalog and may have moved since this page was last verified.

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

Ready to buy?

Noctua NF-S12A PWM chromax.Black.swap, Premium Quiet Fan, 4-Pin (120mm, Black) is available on Amazon with Prime shipping and the full Amazon returns policy. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

View Current Price on Amazon →

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-04-20. Price and availability subject to change.