Noctua
Noctua NF-A20 5V
Bottom line: The Noctua NF-A20 5V: Rated 18.1 dB(A) at 800 RPM, quiet enough for desks, AV cabinets and bedrooms; main trade-off: 5V-only build; not meant for standard 12V motherboard fan headers.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Rated 18.1 dB(A) at 800 RPM, quiet enough for desks, AV cabinets and bedrooms
- ✓ USB-A power adaptor runs it from power banks, phone chargers or USB host ports
- ✓ >150,000 h MTTF rating suits continuous 24/7 ventilation duty
- ✓ Polarity protection on the 5V 3-pin build guards against reversed wiring
- ✓ Includes anti-vibration mounts, screws, extension cable and OmniJoin adaptors
Cons
- ✗ 5V-only build; not meant for standard 12V motherboard fan headers
- ✗ 3-pin with no PWM, so speed control needs voltage control or an external controller
- ✗ 200x200x30mm frame fits only cases and enclosures with 200mm mount points
- ✗ Single 800 RPM rated speed with no high-speed mode for heavy heat loads
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Noctua NF-A20 5V using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro cases & modding category. Noctua's retro cases & modding 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 retro cases & modding 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.
Key Features
- Premium quiet fan, 200x200x30 mm, 5V, 3-pin Molex, 800 RPM, 18.1 dB(A), >150,000 h MTTF
- Award-winning 200x30mm A-series design with Flow Acceleration Channels and Advanced Acoustic Optimisation frame for superior quiet cooling performance
- 5V 3-pin version (800rpm) with polarity protection for 5V-based industrial applications or replacing 5V fans in various devices
- USB power adaptor cable allows the fan to run on devices with USB host ports, power banks or USB power supplies such as those used by smartphones
- Includes anti-vibration mounts, fan screws, extension cable and OmniJoin adaptor set for connection to proprietary fan headers
Full Specifications
| Brand | Noctua |
|---|---|
| Model | NF-A20 5V |
| Voltage | 5 volts |
| Material | Fibre-glass reinforced PBT |
| Dimensions | 200x200x30 mm |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Noise Level | 18.1 db |
| Part Number | NF-A20 5V |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Material Type | Fibre-glass reinforced PBT |
| Cooling Method | Air |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Number of Packs | 1 |
| Vibration/Rumble | Yes |
| Air Flow Capacity | 146.9 cubic meter per hour |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Power Connector Type | 3-Pin |
| Warranty Description | 6 year manufacturer’s warranty |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 800 rpm |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 7.87"L x 7.87"W x 1.18"H |
| Full listing title | Noctua NF-A20 5V, High-Performance Quiet Fan 200mm | High Airflow Low Noise, 5V, 30mm Thick Fan, for Ventilation and Electronics Cooling, USB-A Power Adaptor, 800rpm 3-Pin |
Ready to buy?
Noctua NF-A20 5V, High-Performance Quiet Fan 200mm | High Airflow Low Noise, 5V, 30mm Thick Fan, for Ventilation and Electronics Cooling, USB-A Power Adaptor, 800rpm 3-Pin is vintage hardware; the used and vintage market on eBay carries most of the live inventory. Prices and condition vary by seller and move in real time, so we link the live listing rather than quote a cached price. It also has an Amazon listing — check it for current price and availability. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
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